Images and Symbols: The Glue of Habit, The Lubricant of Change

CHAPTER SEVEN

Why Imagery Techniques Work

BY ARLENE F. HARDER, MA, MFT

Chapter - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13

Clinical evidence shows that physical changes clearly happen when people practice imagery and meditation regularly, e.g., researchers have counted a difference in the number of killer T cells of the immune system. It has also been observed that headaches can often be relieved and blood pressure can be lowered. Further, many people report they simply "feel" better and they frequently change their behavior because of insights they experienced while using these techniques.

So we know that "something" is happening. We just don't know the exact mechanism by which these changes occur. There are, however, several theories, some of which are the following.

Images, Like Any Other Type of Thought, Are Electrochemical

The visual cortex, which is activated when you look at an object, is stimulated by "seeing" a picture in your mind's eye. Similarly, the auditory cortex becomes stimulated when you imagine you hear bells. If your images involve a sense of physical movement, your nerves and muscles produce slight but perceptible movements that can be detected with an instrument called an electromyography (EMG). Sad images create chemicals of depression. Aggressive images make adrenaline. And if the image is relaxing, your body produces a natural tranquilizer that has a chemical structure similar to Valium.

If you have a phobia of elevators and think about going into an elevator, notice what happens. Your heart rate increases, acids squirt into your digestive system, your chest constricts and your throat tightens. But then observe what happens if, after thinking about the elevator, you are reminded of relaxing evening with special friends. This latest image will begin to reverse the physical symptoms you experienced when your thoughts about the elevator triggered the negative biological response.

Disconnecting Some Neurons So Others Can Grow

You can think of only one thing at a time, but your mind tends to jump from thought to thought all day long. It can be exhausting. And when you are distracted by constant, and often conflicting, inner dialogue (what is sometimes known as monkey-mind), your mind is like a noisy classroom. You need to quiet the chatter so the voice of a gentle teacher can be heard.

That’s what happens when you deliberately allow your mind to disengage from the thousands of thoughts that bombard you every day, as you can during an imagery or meditation session. Your mind shifts to an altered state of awareness, much as a young child's entire being becomes concentrated on watching an ant crawling along the sidewalk. You are able to access intuition and understanding that is more difficult when your mind is scattered.

When you are in a quieter, calmer state of mind, you have greater access to the intuition that lies within the right side of the brain and are more easily aware of qualities you would like to experience more often, such as patience, serenity, acceptance, and joy. In Part Two of this manual, several exercises demonstrate the ability of the mind to discover and call upon these highest qualities of the human spirit.

When you sit quietly and open yourself to God, Spirit, Universal Love, or whatever you call that which is greater than you, your spirit expands and you feel a deep connection with the universe and all that is within it. It is often at such times that an understanding of a scripture that is part of your faith seems to increase and new insights arise that strengthen your faith.

Similarly, imagery exercises seem to work because they are processed by the right brain and self-critical thoughts are more often controlled by the left brain. Therefore, images that evoke positive ideas and life-changing affirmations appear to be effective when the left brain is not involved.

On the other hand, by deliberately opening up the right side of your brain you can also uncover negative images that are tied to fears that keep you stuck in the past. Getting in touch with them opens the possibility of dealing with them constructively.

© Copyright 2008, Arlene Harder, MA, MFT