Whats the difference
I know this might seem like a beginers question, and I suppose I am compared to a lot of you but I just wondered what the difference was if any between meditation and vizualization.
Blessings
I know this might seem like a beginers question, and I suppose I am compared to a lot of you but I just wondered what the difference was if any between meditation and vizualization.
Blessings
Hi DeeDee!
I looove to meditate, to Me, the difference is:
A Visualisation is an intended tour. Planning that your going to think about something and "really experience" it as an event. Understand and know what your going to do. I consider visualisation as knowing the intent (the easiest way for me to describe it).
A meditation is the opposite, you clear your mind of everything. No drifting, No thinking. Where does it take you? You can meditate on a matter as well. A bit like visualising but more following your guide perhaps? When I need to get answers I will meditate on a subject by clearing my thoughts, relaxing and not really tapping into anything at first... let your own guide show you the way.
To mediate, I take a lot longer than to visualise as the thought process must be clear. But to visualise It can be more challenging because I need the journey to take me to a specific point before I can let go.....
well, that's my words :)
With Love and Relaxing moments xxxx
That's how I use the two. Maybe not for everyone though?
Internal vs external
For me meditation is a lot more about internal work than visualization.
Meditation is a clearing of the mind, and a calming of the body. You can definitely meditate on an object: a candle, or a mantra, anything that allows your mind to stop its daily chatter. However you can also do I think it's called focused meditation where you meditate on something. Say on the duality of divinity or the concept of the three-fold law. This focused meditation is quite common in the Western world, where as the "clearing-of-mind" meditation is more common in the East.
Visualization is more external. It is a method of doing energy working and is more active then meditation. You can definitely use visualization to work through your own internal issues, but it is still more of an energy working. Also, meditation used in conjunction with visualization helps you work through your own issues. Meditation allows your inner demons surface and visualization lets you tackle them.
Both are very useful tools that do different things in different ways.
Try this post...
Ther was another recent post in which this was discussed here...
My reply to that which might help you was this... http://www.oakandmistletoe.com.au/forum/meditation-0
The differences between the two
Good question.
Visualisation takes two forms. Guided and self directed and is a process whereby you either follow someone elses words (what we do in O & M lessons) or you create something (a story, event, circle casting, spell work or whatever) in your own mind.
Meditation by comparison is where you clear your mind completley and this is very hard to do without committed practice. The idea here is not to create anything (as you do in visualisation) but instead to have your mind still, clear and calm and there are various ways to achieve that.
While I encourage students to do both, I only provide instruction for the vis because that's directly related to circle casting and spell work within the Wiccan frameowrk.
Hope that helps. :)
With smiles and blessings,
Amethyst
Oak and Mistletoe Founder, Elder and Chair
Thank you
Thanks everyone, it seems I've been practising visulisation for years instead of meditation. It is a big help.
Blessings to you all
xxx
In addition
In addition to Dee Dee's wonderful question. Since meditation is more of a "clearing your mind" thing. Is music okay to play? or is it best to have total silence?
Good question, I too would
Good question, I too would like to know as I have done both (usually nature sounds or simply quiet).
Whatever works
asically do whatever works for you honey. Try both ways and see what happens. One tip though, if you use music, don't use music with lyrics in it because your brain will want to listen to the words and detract from the meditation.
With smiles and blessings,
Amethyst
Oak and Mistletoe Founder, Elder and Chair
Hello
I do it both ways. But usually listen to music that is intended for Meditation.
Itunes will give you some great stuff for free maybe.
Try the Ocean Waves with Tibetan Singing Bells ------ last time I was mermaid! never been one of those before hehe.
and Forest Splendour cd's are good.
With Love, Butterfly Spirit!!!
thanx
"Sounds" good to me. No pun intended. (giggles)
Hi there guys
I'm not going to post an answer to this question, but rather to suggest a resource.
Does anyone else watch the Simpons? if so [comic guy] BEST. BOOK. EVER. ON MEDITATION.[/comic guy]
Meditation and visualisation are the KEY STONES to liberation and development. We all need clear information on these basic but vital skills. Anything I typed would be poor compared to the brilliance of the following book:
The Silent Path by Michael J. Eastcott.
I have been studying this topic for over two decades and this is truly IMHO the best book ever published on the subject. IMHO it should be required reading for ever student on THE PATH.
Unfortunately it is out of print but can still be found on www.abe.com and perhaps even on amazon.
Search for this book. You will NOT be disappointed.
In Love and Light
David
Thank you
Thanks David Michael I will keep an eye open for this book. It sounds very helpful, even though The Simpsons is not on my viewing list lol. blessings xxx
love the Simpsons hehe
I'll keep an eye out for this book as well. But I must finish reading these few I've started before I dare to get another one!