Info
At A Glance
Description
: New Age
visualization is the use of mental concentration and directed mental
imagery in the attempt to secure particular goals, whether physical,
psychological, vocational, educational, or spiritual.
Founder. Unknown; the
practice is ancient
How does it claim to work?
Visualization attempts to program the mind to discover inner power and
guidance. For example, by using the mind to contact an alleged inner
divinity or "higher" self, practitioners claim they can
manipulate their personal reality to secure desired goals, such as
occult revelations, financial security, health, or improved learning
abilities.
Scientific evaluation.
Scientific research on forms of imagery (not necessarily
visualization) has provided some useful insights into brain/mind
interaction and the ability of mental processes to affect the
mind-body function. Unfortunately, modern science does not always
separate legitimate from questionable research. And legitimate
research is easily misused when tied to Para psychological and New Age
premises or goals.
Examples of occult potential.
Visualization is often used as a means to, or in conjunction with,
altered states of consciousness. It often accompanies occult
meditation and is frequently used to develop psychic abilities. It is
used in channeling to contact "inner advisors" or spirit
guides. It has long been associated with pagan religion and practice
such as shamanism and Buddhism. Many human potential and occult New
Age seminars, such as est and Silva Mind Control employ it.
Major problems. New Age
visualization assigns the human mind a divine or almost divine status.
This not only represents a significant distortion of human nature, but
it can also mask spiritistic manipulation of the mind,
re-conceptualizing this as a natural or divine endeavor
Biblical/Christian evaluation.
As an occult practice, New Age visualization is prohibited; but even
alleged Christian forms are insufficiently critiqued, of dubious
value, or subject to abuse.
Potential danger. Chief
hazards include occult influences and problems arising from the denial
of reality by over-reliance upon one’s "divine" mind and
its alleged power or "wisdom." For example, in the areas of
medicine (physical self-diagnosis), education (e.g., tapping the
knowledge of "inner counselors"), and religion (receiving
psychic revelations), the process can produce a trust in false data
that could result in foolish or harmful decisions.
