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Imagery is one of the most basic ways in which your mind stores
and represents information; it has been called “the language of the unconscious mind”. There is evidence
that before you learn to speak, you “think” in terms of images.
Since imagery is one of the basic media in which your unconscious mind operates (along with feelings and kinesthetic sensations)
visualization can affect your behavior or state of being in a profound way apart from your deliberate, conscious will. The
French pharmacist Emil Coue asserted, almost one hundred years ago, that the power of imagination exceeds that of the conscious
will. You may or may not be able to will your way to a particular goal, yet repeatedly visualizing the attainment of that
goal has a good chance of bringing about exactly what you seek.
It is through practicing visualizations that many athletes achieve peak performance in their particular sports.
The baseball player can increase his batting average through visualizing, making perfect contact with the ball, as can professional
tennis players and golfers. Even marathon runners can improve their performance by visualizing in advance every aspect of
their course in detail.
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It has been demonstrated that any type of performance can be improved through repeatedly visualizing success. Trial
lawyers, sales persons and students facing a difficult exam have all used this technique to their advantage. Visualizing that
you can successfully negotiate a phobic situation you have been avoiding will also help you confront and master that situation.
Imagery does not only help
you act in ways that are likely to lead you to success, but it can also alter subtle, internal physiological states as well.
O.Carl Simonton, in his book Getting Well Again, demonstrated how the use of imagery can arrest and even reverse
the progress of cancer through enhancing immune system functions. Many researchers have followed his example; imagery
is currently used as part of the treatment program for a variety of diseases.
Guided
visualization is an effective tool for
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