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

CHAPTER NINE

Let CDs and Tapes Be Your Guide

BY ARLENE F. HARDER, MA, MFT

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

Many years ago my husband and I set out on a walk in our local mountains in the evening. When it got darker he and I turned on our flashlights. Glancing up to see his light in the distance gave me an idea of the approximate direction in which the winding path was heading. As long as I kept my flashlight pointed immediately in front of my feet, I had enough illumination so each step could be taken in safety.

However, when I pointed my flashlight far ahead not only to where he was but beyond that spot, I stumbled over rocks and roots at my feet. Returning to focus on the area just in front of me — and trusting in his guidance — I had a wonderful walk around boulders, ponds and scrub to discover, at the end of our hike, a delightful waterfall sparkling in the moonlight.

When you set out on a path you haven't traveled before, one that takes you into new territory, it's nice to have a guide. The same is true for imagery. Almost everyone I know who uses imagery learned it by listening to someone lead an exercise, and I am hoping that when you do the imagery scripts in this manual that you will consider me to be your guide just as I would be if you attended one of my workshops, or you were listening to me on a CD or tape.

There Are as Many Guides as There Are Paths

Many different kinds of audio and video CDs and tapes are sold in book stores, specialty shops, and catalogs, as well as online, so you have a wide selection from which to choose.

You can hear male and female voices, with or without an accent. Almost any of these tapes are excellent tools for learning the imagery process and demonstrating the power of the imagination. But not all are equally good for everyone.

As you listen to these tapes, you may find that one guide may go too fast for you and another too slow. You may feel that one gives too many instructions, or is too specific, or too wordy. With another you may feel lost and unsure of what is being asked of you. Some styles and voices will obviously be more comfortable for you than others.

However, you will likely find that even your favorite CDs and tapes can become boring and produce fewer results than they had before. For example, you may initially want relaxation instructions in which you are told to tighten groups of muscles and then relax them. After you've learned how to relax fairly quickly, taking time to go through this step-by-step process can become annoying and counterproductive. Then it's time to use another guide’s approach.

Give the Guide a Chance

It is not uncommon to listen to a new tape and feel you won't get anything out of it. My advice is to give the guide at least a second chance, unless you find something so disconcerting that you know listening again would not change your mind.

That happened to me when I spent three weeks in the hospital several years ago and needed a good imagery tape for comfort and to maximize my pain medication. I was very fortunate to have a pain control tape by Belleruth Naparstek, a premier imagery guide whose excellent website, HealthJourneys, provides information and research on the effect of imagery on health. In the middle of the night her gentle voice and affirmations guided me back to sleep.

On the other hand, I had been given a pain tape by someone else who was so awful I couldn't get past the first several minutes before I had to turn it off! Her grating voice and what seemed like a condescending attitude really got to me. So it doesn't hurt to know a bit about the guide before buying one.

However, if the guide isn't as bad as that one was, listening again often helps you understand something you missed the first time. In fact, you will learn imagery most easily by experimenting with a variety of tapes and by following the guide's suggestions, even when you aren't sure you're doing it the way you think it is "supposed" to be done. The more thoroughly you allow yourself to follow the guide's instructions, the more likely you are to achieve whatever the imagery exercise was designed to achieve. Further, the more completely you can draw upon all of your senses (seeing, feeling, tasting, touching, smelling and experiencing a felt body sense), the more you will be nourished in body, mind and spirit.

Learn to Recognize Signposts Along the Way

Unless I'm driving, I don't usually pay attention to which way we turn or notice traffic signs along the way. It's relaxing to sit back, watch the passing scene and converse with the friend who is driving. Soon I'm at our destination — and I couldn't retrace our route or find my way there again if my life depended on it. Listening to tapes can be like that. You just listen and enjoy the journey. On the other hand, after you've used a tape several times, you might want to pay attention to the steps along the way that led you to where you wanted to go so you can change it as needed.

If you notice the pattern of most imagery exercises has a beginning, middle and ending (and a few suggestions and flourishes thrown in), you will someday be able to make the process your own. Then you won't need a tape, a quiet spot or a special time to evoke the powerful images of healing and peace that lie within the core of who you are.

Add Your Own Safety Features

Sitting on a rock at the edge of a large body of water and watching waves splash against land may be idyllic if your experience has been like that of thousands of others. But if you had the misfortune of being knocked off a rock by a wave or watching someone drown, such a scene would be far from comforting. Nevertheless, guides choose scenes they feel would be best for the average person, although none of us is "average" in everything. So always remember that you can add your own touches to the imagery experience.

Years ago, I was in a group being led through an imagery exercise that required we imagine we were taken up to the roof of a tall building and were asked to go over to the edge and look down. It was fascinating to watch the people below, who looked like little ants crawling along the sidewalk. One of the participants later said she was afraid of heights and found the experience very disconcerting, since the guide hadn't said there was a railing at the edge to prevent her falling off. It was only then I realized that in my imagination I had crawled over to the edge and added a guard rail before looking down.

Short of opening your eyes, which you are always able to do, you can also create safety for yourself by bringing into your mind's eye a powerful ally or protector. I talk more about that in Part Two: Inner Resources for Successful Living and Satisfactory Relationships when I discuss inner advisors. For now, just remember that if you want to continue following the guide, but are afraid you may get into an area that could be unpleasant, create in your imagination an image, such as a lantern that will shine into dark places or a dog to protect you or anything else that would give you security as you explore new territory.

© Copyright 2008, Arlene Harder, MA, MFT