"See things as you would have them instead of as they are."
Robert Collier

"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal."
Pamela Vaull Starr

Visualizing is using your imagination to create a new reality. It means mentally giving form to ideas with our inner senses. Most people use their inner eye for this process, they translate their ideas into mental pictures and that's why imagining is often called visualization. But you can also use inner hearing, -smell, -taste, -feeling or a combination of the inner senses to envision your new reality.

Creative visualization is something else than day-dreaming.
Day-dreaming is a mental flight from reality; you know that the pictures your mind show you are no reality, and you have no intention to give your fantasy the energy needed to make it come true. In creative visualization however we make consciously use of our ability to imagine a new reality, and we make it come true by the power of will, focus, passion, desire, belief and repetition. In a visualization you are the main character of the movie (and good actors don't just play their part, but completely become the character they play) while in day-dreaming you are a spectator.

Apparition of de Visage of Aphrodite of Cnide in a Landscape, Salvador Dali

The technique is simple: relax, close your eyes and make a mental image of your desired new reality.
Some people can make very clear inner pictures, and many cannot. That's okay, simply use your mind power to form your imagination. Start with envisioning a basic idea, let's say a wished vacation at the seashore. If your mind does not spontaneously come up with an image, ask yourself questions in relationship to your visualization. Like: what is the weather like, how does the sea look, can I hear the waves or sea-gulls, are there any dolphins, how is my hotel like, what do I do there, what is the temperature of the water, who do I meet there, etc. If you do this concentrated you will notice that bit by bit an overall impression is formed, consisting of elements you see, hear, smell, taste and maybe feel (like the heat of the sun on your skin). Make your visualization as real as you can, BE your imagination. If your mind comes up with something you don't like, change it right away into something you do appreciate. This is your new reality in motion. Practice visualization on a regular base, daily or more often. When you become more experienced you'll notice that it is also possible to visualize with your eyes open during daily occupations. Now this is very handy, because while doing something you can envision that you do it in a splendid way, what will improve your actions. Over the last years these insights are implemented in top sports: while running the athlete imagines that he runs very hard and effortless and he sees himself winning the first prize.
You could for instance consider visualization when giving a speech or during another public performance, applying for a job (see yourself getting it and being offered a good salary), or when making a deal.

Another world, Escher

Another possibility of visualization is asking your subconsciousness to give you information by showing it to you. If you are having a head-ache for instance, you could try to find out this way why you have it. And next visualize a big beautiful rose or a blue globe that absorbes your head-ache and dissolves with it into the Universe.

Visualization techniques are often used in meditation. Here they are mainly used to harmonize and raise your energy, clear and protect your aura, make contact with spiritual guides and explore inner realms. Visualization is very important in most magical practices.

A basic rule in visualization is this: imagine the reality you wish to achieve as vividly as possible and from the inner knowing that it will appear into your physical reality. So:

• if you are ill: visualize yourself in perfect health and feeling good and happy
• if you weigh too much: see the new slim and beautiful you, and feel how attractive you are
• if you want another house: visualize the house of your dreams in the wished surroundings
• if you want better relationships: form a picture of it and feel your happiness in the new situation.

Don't set a time table for the Universe and enjoy your steps in bringing an inward world out.