HEALING IMAGERY : Creating Wellness Through Visualization



What is Healing Imagery? Well, although I did not invent the concept, the idea is one that I came up with in hopes of presenting a new way to promote self-healing and a renewed sense of self through the power of photography.

When stimulated by a photographic scene...the inner wheels of our imaginations begin to turn. We envision ourselves relaxing on the shores of a sandy beach, drenched in the yellow-orange glow of the setting sun...

...wandering alone in a snow-dusted forest, surrounded by wild creatures, seranaded by the cries of winter crows in the nearby clearing...

An image can serve as a bridge between mind and body. Imagined events can be experienced by the mind in just the same way as actual events. What is 'real' and what is 'imagined' cannot be differentiated between by the unconscious mind. We often find ourselves waking from a bad dream in a panicked sweat, pulse racing and breathing accelerated. What does this mean? Simply, it means that our bodies respond to the images experienced in our mind's eye.

And what does all of this have to do with healing?

It has much to do with healing. For example, when feeling down and out, we might conjure memories of a happier time...using the images stored away in the depths of our minds...drawing upon the positive feelings associated with these mental 'pictures'. Soon enough, we find ourselves feeling better...and all because of the simple power of healing imagery.

Colors in imagery can also have a profound effect upon mood. For instance, by viewing images saturated with 'warm' colors such as gold, orange or red...one may find themselves feeling energized, vibrant, amorous or playful. When viewing images saturated with 'cool' colors such as blue, gray, white or teal...one may find themselves feeling more relaxed, slowed down, restful and calm. It is an interesting fact that most prisons use color as a psychological deterrent to violent behavior in prisoners. This is the primary reasoning behind many prison interiors and cells being painted in varying shades of gray, beige or blue.

As well as our emotional selves, our physical selves also respond to the use of imagery in healing applications. Immunomodulators, the chemicals found in the immune system, have been scientifically proven to react to mental images. In a recent study, when the participant was instructed to visualize, in a mental image, the alteration of an immunomodulator (a T-cell, for instance), a physical change was observed in the cell which was being 'imagined'.

This is fuel for the argument that 'positive' thinking creates 'positive' change.

Many Neo-Pagan religions focus on the concept of 'creative visualization'...that one manifests change in the physical world by means of visualizing change in the mind's eye. This concept is fast becoming reality in scientific community.

Through visualization, one may actually impede the spread of bacteria and hinder the growth of cancerous cells within the body.


TYPES OF HEALING IMAGERY:

PHOTOGRAPHY & COLOR - The use of photographs for the purpose of altering mood, emotional states and mental well-being.

SENSATION - A process used in emotional healing which applies the association of mental images with specific thoughts and sensations.

END RESULT - A type of imagery which involves attaining success in a goal by imagining a positive end result (i.e. - a successful business venture ending in a handshake or being healed and well after a lengthy illness).

PROCESS - The use of positive imagery as a supplement to the healing process (i.e. - imagining a burn slowly disappearing or a laceration healing closed).

RELAXATION - The use of a calming environment as a healing aid, whether literal or imagined...traveled to or meditated upon.


In this thread, I will be focusing on Photographic Healing Imagery. Within this thread, I will provide, bi-weekly, a set of images which reflect a common theme in mood and emotion. For instance, scenes that evoke feelings of calm, peace, relaxation and harmony as opposed to those in another installment which may evoke feelings of vibrancy, excitement, stimulation and energy.

Take a moment to reflect upon the images that will be provided here. Write down which emotions or sensations that each one evokes within you. Make note of the colors in the images, which features appeal to which emotion and what memories are stirred by observing them.

The first set of images will be presented here on Monday, October 15, 2007. Blessed be.

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Healing Images : Warmth

The following images all contain the common theme of 'warmth'. The sensation of warmth is nurturing, calming and healing by nature - and is typically associated with vibrancy, youth and joy. Warmth reminds us of summer, the warm glow of an inviting fire in the cold of winter, the rising sun in the eastern sky...

Reflect upon the following images and think about what each one means to you. What do the images 'feel' like? What memories are stirred from your own life experiences? What feelings are conjured?

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Hi Torey! (Big Hug)

I found this extremely interesting Torey and the Photographs are wonderful, I especially liked the sunset through the tree and the campfire photo brought back wonderful memories of camping trips as a child and later with my own son.

Why did you stop posting? I would love to see more on this from you!

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[img]http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z212/Moonbeam_013/catdancer.jpg[/img]

Beginners Tarot Mentor
Moderator of A Wicked Pack of Cards

I found this post extremely interesting. Was disappointed that there wasn't more information. Would have loved to see more photos associated with different emotions. Am thinking of starting a scrapbook containing images and photos that I can relate to. Kind of like making a 'mood' book.

I love this idea!...though no one has posted here for a while...I would love to see more of this...I loved the first picture...the heat in the middle of the ice and snow...of course, being a water witch...this is definatly my thing. In fact...I would like this picture ina poster size to hang on my walls...anyone know who the photographer is?

This is a wonderful concept...I am going to start working with it! I wish there were more here!

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I think this is a very good post. The pictures are lovely.

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How is it I missed this??? Very nice T' and im sure Melba will do a fine job, gosh you could read in here all day 24/7 and still not read it all. I really dont know how i didn't see this (I like the snow picture)

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