Research has proved time and again – that imagination is indeed a magical power, which shapes our thoughts as well as reality. Thoughts are vibrations, manifestations of energy, and most thoughts are transient in nature, that is to say, they appear or linger for a time depending on the energy given to them. By constantly thinking about a particular desire, for example, a dream home, the more solid and real it will become and the longer it will persist in your imagination. This is very often a subconscious process, for example, the preparation of a meal is preceded by first imagining what the menu will include, how it should taste, how the meal will be prepared, where the ingredients will be obtained from and finally, how it will be presented. Here’s an insight by Kavita, a Hyderabad-based Counseling Psychologist, in the weekly column, exclusively for Different Truths.

Imagination is one of the most powerful vibrations of energy in the universe. Thoughts are vibrations, manifestations of energy, and most thoughts are transient in nature, that is to say, they appear or linger for a time depending on the energy given to them. By constantly thinking about a particular desire, for example, a dream home, the more solid and real it will become and the longer it will persist in your imagination.

This is very often a subconscious process, for example, the preparation of a meal is preceded by first imagining what the menu will include, how it should taste ( keeping in mind, the different taste buds), how the meal will be prepared, where the ingredients will be obtained from and finally, how it will be presented. This is simply a basic example where an act of creation commenced with the process of imagination and subsequently followed up with physical actions in the same direction, in order to manifest the original object of the imagination, into observable physical reality.

One of the most important aspects of successful manifestation is highly focused and concentrated energy in the form of thought or imagination. The more energy behind a manifestation, the sooner it can materialize into the physical world as an observable reality.

Western thinkers have tended to draw a line between reality- that which we “actually” experience- and imagination, seen as a dreamlike frivolous diversion.

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon, in his practice, has helped several people achieve their imagined selves to an observable reality. He says, “Your hidden self-image was formed when you were still a child. At that time, it formed a picture of what your lot in life should be. Since then you have changed, but it has not. It still holds the same plans for you formed in your childhood and it influences your mind to achieve the plans it wants, not the goals and desires you really want.  When you bring your hidden self-image up-to-date with the rest of you, you will have unleashed the awesome power of your whole mind- success, glory, riches, fame, power, honour will come flowing into your life like a golden river. Now your mind power is limited, hamstrung by the influence of your hidden self-image. When you have made it work for you, not against you, you shall have tremendous power.”

Dr. Maxwell has outlined some exercises, from his years of medical practice. He developed them for those of his patients whom surgery alone could not help. He used them to take shattered miserable people, who walked away every day with defeat and failure and remake, them into blazing lights of success and fulfillment.

The Self-image can be Changed

The self-image can be changed regardless of the age of a person. Prescott Lecky, a pioneer in self-image psychology, made some convincing experiments. He regarded the personality as a system of ideas, all of which must seem to be consistent with each other. Ideas inconsistent with the system are rejected, he believed, while those which seem consistent are accepted. A schoolteacher, Lecky was able to test his theory on thousands of pupils (Self-consistency, a theory of personality, The Island Press, New York N.Y.)

Lecky believed that if a student had difficulty learning a subject, it could be because, from the student’s point of view, learning it would be inconsistent for him. However, he reasoned, if you change the student’s self-conception underlying his attitude, he would be able to look at the subject differently. This was proved by him successfully in many experiments.

Keys to Your personality – Truth and Imagination

A truth is basically a concept held about something for a number of years. This kind of a thing does not away in a day but with repeated assistance, this concept can be successfully changed to a new productive one. There are some experiments which support this finding.

Don Newcomb, at one point in his brilliant baseball career, was afraid to travel on planes. He thought that he knew the truth: that an airplane he boarded would crash. A hypnotist suggested under hypnosis, that his plane would not crash, after which the practitioner bought round trip tickets for himself and Newcomb. Newcomb described it as “A journey that he really enjoyed which made him lose his fear of flying.” Imagination, which shapes our reality can always be changed, again changing our reality.

 Relaxation is Important Tool in Imagination

This exercise can help you relax when you’re tensed up. Sit or lie down comfortably and close your eyes- envision a physical landscape, which is relaxing to you. If it’s a beach, go there and stand at the ocean’s edge looking at the unlimited expanse of glistening water. Relax in these surroundings that you love. Recapture every detail of the beautiful scenery, the smell, the colour, the sun on you, salty breeze, everything. As this becomes a practice, you’ll be surprised how quick you can snap out of uncomfortable situations, simply by imagining these details.

Other Areas Where Imagination Influences Outcomes

1. Imagine yourself thin. Cut out your old pictures and see them continuously. Imagine yourself in them again. Buy clothes a few sizes smaller and imagine wearing them every day. Imagine feeling as if you’re already wearing them and marvel at the happiness.
2. Habits can be changed. Smoking and drinking can be given up through the power of controlled imagination. Workaholics can begin to regularise their working hours and can also enjoy life. Housewives can learn a new skill they’ve always admired and change their role.
3. You Can Live Happily. Live each day as fully as you can. Set goals for every day. Tell yourself, that you have the right to be happy. Set aside a number of hours for relaxation every day. Accept yourself as you are. Imagination is the key to happiness. When you think and feel it, you actually see it happening.
4. There Is No Mask Required. Don’t let perfection frighten you. You can be genuine. Trash your self-critical thoughts. Rely on yourself. Try to be more spontaneous. Do not be afraid to be different.
5. Overcome Depression. Accept your mood. Drop your grudges against others. See your past successes and recapture the good times. Forgive others. Accept your limitations. Forget your mistakes. Forgive yourself too.

As Buddha says, “Man is made up of his thoughts.”  It’s your thoughts that make you. Imagination is made up of thoughts and thoughts give rise to feelings. All of these put together shape your reality.

 ©Kavita Panyam

Photos from the internet.

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Kavita Panyam

Kavita Panyam is a Counselling Psychologist by profession and a freelance writer by passion. She has won competitions in various magazines for slogan writing, reviews, and several blogging competitions. Her work has been published in reputed magazines across India and abroad. She writes for several well-known ezines and for print magazines. She also features as a guest contributor for various websites.

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