Everyone Can Do Imagery
One problem for people beginning to use imagery is that they listen to others describing their imagery experience and assume they're not "good" at imagery. Let me assure you that if I am asked to imagine walking through a lush meadow high in the Sierras, I could describe for you a beautiful scene with lots of details. BUT that doesn't mean I necessarily "see" those images. I just get a "sense" of them based on many camping trips into the high country. Even the things I "see" are fuzzy and incomplete. It’s rather like looking at pictures in a connect-the-dots coloring book. Even with a few dots you can tell the finished picture will be that of a sailboat. Because you know what sailboats look like, your mind fills in the details.

This is why referring to these kinds of exercises as "visualizations," as some people call them, can give the impression that when you close your eyes, unless you see bright colors and objects, you are a poor candidate for this technique. But having a "feeling" about something is as much of an "image" as is the ability to describe the color and shape experienced within the mind's inner landscape. Even for those who "see" images easily, the colors and shapes are not at all as vivid as scenes in real life.

It's Easy to Fall Asleep Doing Imagery When You Need Rest
When you fall asleep listening to imagery tapes, don't be afraid you missed something important. Relaxing and winding down from daily routine are some of the reasons for doing imagery in the first place. Trust that you need to sleep more than you needed to remember all of the exercise.

You may, however, find yourself falling asleep when you want to use imagery for a specific purpose, such as gaining insight into a problem. In those situations, if you are fairly sure you do have enough sleep, reduce sleepiness by moving your sessions to earlier in the day or to times before meals. If you have been lying down to practice, sit up to stay more fully awake and alert. Most of all, tell yourself that you can be both relaxed and alert.

Bizarre is Better
In the world of imagery the laws of the physical world don't apply. Dogs can fly and birds can swim. Color can be "heard" and sound can be "seen." As you learn to engage all your senses in the imagery process as much as possible, you will soon discover an exciting world of strange and beautiful images that form the language of your inner landscape. In fact, evidence seems to indicate that the "crazier" the images, often the more effective they become.

So just sit back, relax and engage as many of your senses in the imagery process as possible. You will soon discover an exciting world of strange and beautiful images. By focusing on what you experience and by not judging whether you are doing as well as you think someone else would do you will create images that have the power to impact your life.

Class Exercise: Of Course, You Can Image
To experience a brief, simple exercise that illustrates the ideas discussed in this class, I recommend you go to Of Course You Can Do Imagery. I have found this especially helpful for people who are convinced they don't image.

For all other class exercises I recommend you first read Using Written Imagery Exercises. However, this first one is so easy to do that you don't really need any special instructions. Just read it a couple times to be sure you understand what you're asked to do and then do it!

Class Symbol: Imagination
With each class you are asked to choose a symbol that will reinforce the theme of the class. If you then place this symbol (or a photo, sketch or words describing it on a piece of paper) near where you will do your imagery, the symbol can remind you that you are expanding your inner horizons and adding depth to your life.

For this first class, the symbol I suggest is one that can represent your imagination. For example, it could be something you made that took a lot of creative energy or a piece of art that expresses imagination.