Visualization in Qigong - The Double Edged Sword
It’s about time we talk about visualization during Qigong practice. It is important to understand the When, Why and How of this technique because it’s a bit more complex than one might think.
I start with making a statement that is based on personal experience.
Your practice DOES NOT DEPEND on visualization but it will certainly enhance it.
As we know, the mental state of quiet and peace in which we don’t get involved with thoughts, is fundamental to Qigong. However, when we use the method of visualization, we start adding thoughts and mental activity. You see that this is like a double edged sword. It can be extremely useful and powerful, but can possibly create emotional disturbances and mental tension which will ultimately manifest in the physical body.
It’s important to know that even without visualization you will be able to get great results. Likewise, it is exciting to know that researchers have made some amazing discoveries using ONLY visualization to strengthen the body and build muscle. Some of these new discoveries where eventually used to develop something that is called isometric training. The scientists have proven that if you visualize a specific exercise you can increase your muscle strength. This is basically due to sending out nerve impulses from the brain to the muscles. Looking at some ancient Chinese practices, in some ways we can find similarities to this kind of training which gives us an idea as to how a visualization technique can enhance our training. Strengthening our body, however, is not our main objective for using visualization. It can also greatly aid us in supporting the natural flow of energy, developing the awareness of Qi during the small circulation meditation, or simply help us cultivate Qi in the real lower Dan Tian.
Why is “visualization” so important?
Like I said, you can get fantastic results without visualization, too. In this case it is definitely the HOW that is more important than the WHY. If you don’t know the HOW, this method will be counterproductive. Some of you have been practicing Qigong in different schools with different teaching methods. Visualization is a common teaching in many schools and some consider it an essential element. However, if you don’t know how to properly execute this technique or if you are simply not very good at visualizing things, it can stand in your way of getting any positive results.
Visualization or Imagination
Often these two terms are being confused and used to describe the same thing. Let’s clarify the meaning of each of them. An imagination is occurring in your mind and is not directly related to what you see in the outside world. When you look at your coffee cup, you are seeing the real cup in front of you and not a mental image. If you close your eyes however, you can produce a mental image of the coffee cup, based on your memory of it. This is imagination. This word can be used in different ways though. In a situation in which we are not sure whether or not we see a real object, this imagination is a hallucination. Often “imagination” is used to refer to things or events that are not actually real and only exist in our minds, like a 3-headed dog with the body of a horse. (I could think of anything better. :-D)
In all of these examples we are talking about imagery. It is all about actually SEEING something, even if it is in front of our inner eye. Visualization from a Qigong practitioners perspective should not be about trying to see something but rather about feeling it.
It’s easiest to grasp this technique when you are actually experiencing it. Let’s try it:
Close your eyes and visualize how you are walking up the stairs.
STOP, open your eyes.
You did it!
You just used visualization. And it only took you a fraction of a second. I’m confident you saw a set of stairs without actually thinking about what it might look like. You also went up the stairs without wondering how much force you need or where to place your foot to step up.
It is this kind of approach you want to take when visualizing.
There is a big difference between visualization and “thinking hard with your eyes closed”. In Qigong visualization is more like a quick feeling or sensation that automatically recalls all the information we need, without having to actively or forcefully think about it. By maintaining a relaxed mind we will allow these “feelings”, the mind-body connection and sensations to develop naturally.
The biggest mistake is intellectualizing the visualization.
Trying to “forcefully think up” an image is counterproductive and will ultimately create mental blockages and tension in the body. It should always be a quick and gentle thought with which you can maintain a calm and peaceful state of mind.
When we over-conceptualize the visualization we will go against the natural flow and balance of the body. Qi always knows where to go to. If you have a blockage in your body this area has a lower potential of energy. When you “let go” and meditate or practice in a calm and deeply relaxed manner, Qi will automatically flow from the place of higher potential to the area of lower potential and clear away any obstructions. As an example, a blockage in your Psoas might be related to an issue in your internal organs where the potential of Qi is low due to it’s deficiency. Trying to lead the Qi to the area of discomfort, in this case your psoas, will not work or only give you temporary relief. Only when you stop over-conceptualizing, and simply focus on “letting go” will the Qi do its natural thing, nourish and vitalize the organ and the problem can be fixed at its root.
You will get there! Be gentle!
Now, if you have used visualization before you might have realized that it was too forced. Your teacher might have told you to be gentle about it but you possibly still ended up being too tense. This is why I wanted to share the theory behind this concept. In fact, SOMETIMES we actually need to understand something intellectually in order to eliminate all doubt and reflect better on our practice.
