Visualizing Meditation: Why Do I See Things?

Many people experience visions during meditation. These visions can be inspiring, upsetting, or confusing. They can take the form of vivid images, lights, colours, shapes, landscapes, or faces. Visions occur when we reach a zone between conscious awareness and sleep, and they can be considered a natural part of meditation. While some people interpret these visions as messages from the divine, others view them as distractions or illusions. It's important to remember that the goal of meditation is not to obtain supernatural powers but to cultivate awareness, serenity, and presence. When visions occur, it is recommended to simply acknowledge them and let them pass without getting attached or trying to interpret them.

It's a natural part of meditation

Visions during meditation are a natural occurrence. They happen when you reach a zone between conscious awareness and sleep, or between wakefulness and sleep. This is when your brain enters the alpha frequency band, creating a bridge between your conscious and subconscious mind.

The subconscious mind is more visual and symbolic than everyday thinking, which tends to be more verbal. Therefore, when you meditate, your mind becomes more visual, and you may start to see vivid images, lights, and forms of the inner world.

Visions can occur during various types of meditation, such as mindfulness meditation, meditative singing, and yoga. They are more likely to occur the more you practice and during periods of intense meditation or yoga practice, such as a retreat.

Common Visions

There are some common types of visions that people experience during meditation. These include:

• Faces, including your own face and those of people you know or don't recognise
• Moving geometrical shapes and patterns, such as fractals or mandalas
• Light and colours, including bright light or golden light
• Eyes
• Landscapes, such as calm lakes, mountain ridges, and forests
• Flowers, such as the lotus, which symbolises spiritual growth
• Spiritual guides, such as Jesus, Buddha, or Babaji, who may appear as a result of your personal beliefs

How to React to Visions

While some people may view these visions as a gift or a sign of insight, others may see them as a distraction. The important thing is not to get sucked in or attached to these visions. Instead, simply acknowledge and observe them, and then let them pass by without judgement or interpretation.

Remember, the goal of meditation is to cultivate clarity, awareness, presence, and serenity, not to obtain supernatural powers or visions.

They occur in a zone between sleep and wakefulness

Many people experience visions during meditation. These visions can be inspiring or upsetting, beautiful or confusing. They can take the form of vivid images, lights, shapes, patterns, or even spiritual guides. But why do they happen?

Visions during meditation occur when you reach a zone between conscious awareness and sleep, or between wakefulness and sleep. In this state, the frequency of neural activity in your brain changes, creating a bridge between your conscious and subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is more visual and symbolic than everyday thinking, which tends to be more verbal. As a result, the visions that emerge from the subconscious can be very vivid and realistic.

Reaching this state of consciousness during meditation is an indication that you are relaxed and that your technique is working. It is a sign of success, but not a goal in itself. The art of meditation is to remain present and aware, rather than getting caught up in the visions or seeking supernatural powers.

When you have visions during meditation, it is important to let them come and go without judgement or interpretation. Treat them like any other thought and gently bring your focus back to your breath. This is because the goal of meditation is not to obtain superpowers or mystical experiences, but to cultivate clarity, awareness, presence, and serenity.

While some people may interpret their meditation visions as messages from the divine or their subconscious, others may view them as mere distractions or illusions. Ultimately, the meaning and importance of these visions are subjective and depend on the individual's beliefs and experiences.

They are a byproduct of meditation

Seeing things during meditation is a byproduct of the practice. It is not the goal, but it may happen as a result of your meditation. The visions you experience are a result of your brain entering a zone between sleep and wakefulness, or between conscious awareness and sleep. This is when your brain waves move into the alpha frequency band, creating a bridge between your conscious and subconscious mind.

The subconscious mind is more visual and symbolic than everyday thought, so when you enter this state, you may find that you start to see vivid images, lights, and forms of the inner world. These visions are not to be interpreted as secret messages or omens, but rather as a natural result of your brain entering this altered state of consciousness.

The types of visions you may experience can vary. Some people see faces, moving geometrical shapes and patterns, light and colours, eyes, landscapes, flowers, or light beings. You may also have an encounter with a spiritual guide, which can take many forms, depending on your personal beliefs.

While these visions can be intriguing, it is important not to get sucked in or overly fascinated by them. They are not the goal of meditation, and craving more can introduce tension that holds you back from going deeper into your practice. Instead, it is recommended to simply observe these visions without judgement, and then let them go.

They can be upsetting or inspiring

The visions people experience during meditation can be profoundly inspiring or upsetting. They can be a source of joy and warmth, but they can also be confusing or frightening. The important thing to remember is that these visions are not the goal of meditation, but rather a byproduct of the practice. They occur when you reach a zone between conscious awareness and sleep, with the frequency of neural activity in your brain changing, creating a bridge between your conscious and subconscious mind.

The subconscious mind is highly visual and symbolic, and the visions that emerge from it can be very vivid and realistic. They may take the form of moving geometric shapes, light and colours, landscapes, flowers, spiritual guides, or even light beings. Sometimes, people see frightening images such as death skulls or demons, which can be unsettling. However, it is important not to interpret these visions literally. For example, seeing demons is not an indication that an evil astral creature has entered your mind but rather a visual representation of internal conflicts and pressures.

Visions can be upsetting if they scare or overwhelm you. If this happens, it is recommended to adopt a meditative attitude: observe the visions and your reactions to them without judgement. This will help calm things down, and eventually, your mind will let go of the fear. Stopping a meditation practice due to upsetting visions may leave you in the middle of unresolved psychological turmoil, which can take a long time to process outside of meditation. Instead, a softer approach, such as a slow and calm practice of yoga poses and pranayama, can help resolve the turmoil.

Visions can also be inspiring and uplifting, leaving you with a sense of warmth and positivity. They can take the form of beautiful landscapes, spiritual symbols, or even deceased loved ones or spiritual guides. Some people interpret these visions as messages or insights from their subconscious or a divine presence. For example, seeing a calm lake or a peaceful landscape may reflect a quiet mind. However, it is important not to get too attached to these visions or interpret them as secret messages to be deciphered. Instead, simply notice them and then let them go, returning your focus to your breath and the present moment.

Whether upsetting or inspiring, visions during meditation are a natural occurrence and can be a sign that your meditation practice is working and you are in an altered state of consciousness. They can provide insight into your subconscious and what is going on in your life, but they should not be the focus of your meditation practice.

They are not a goal

While visions during meditation can be beautiful, inspiring, or even uplifting, they are not the goal of meditation. The ultimate goal of meditation is to achieve awareness, serenity, presence, and calmness, not to obtain supernatural powers or to be distracted by visions.

Visions are a byproduct of meditation and can be considered a sign of success, indicating that you have reached an altered state of consciousness. However, they are not the main objective. If you become too fixated on experiencing visions, they can become an obstacle to your practice. Craving more visions or attaching too much importance to them can introduce tension and hinder your progress.

Meditation is a process, not a one-time achievement. It requires patience and dedication to change long-held patterns and learn to live in the present moment. The key to success in meditation is consistency and a commitment to the practice, not the pursuit of visions or other supernatural experiences.

The appearance of visions during meditation is a natural occurrence due to the change in your state of consciousness. As your brain waves enter the alpha frequency band, a bridge is created between your conscious and subconscious mind, resulting in visual thoughts or images. While these visions can be intriguing, they are not the goal of your meditation practice.

Instead of focusing on visions, your goals during meditation should be to increase calmness, reduce desires for futile things, and cultivate acceptance. Let the visions come and go without attaching any significance to them. By doing so, you will remain true to the purpose of meditation, which is to bring your mind and body into a state of relaxation and presence.

In summary, while visions during meditation are not uncommon, they are not the goal of your practice. The true purpose of meditation lies in the cultivation of awareness, serenity, and presence, not in the pursuit of visions or other supernatural experiences.

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