Be a Visionary

Forget the Himalayas. Use the sandals for your holidays. Keep the robe for some theatrical production.

Meditation, visualising, imagining, are the simplest things to do when we let ourselves do so.

We do tend to do it all the time. But not in a helpful way. Most of us tend to use our imaginations to put ourselves down, terrify ourselves out of doing, or even attempting to do what we know we could, and generally selling ourselves short on what our lives can be. Shakespeare had a nice line on how we do this when he said, "Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft' might gain, by fearing to attempt."

And that was just on 400 years ago. I doubt Will had any tutelage in Psychotherapy or Psychiatry, but he was an instinctive Psychologist. We can just as easily turn our thoughts, and the force of our minds, to work for us, rather than against us. How do we do this? Well, have you ever thought about what you want to do with your life, how you'd like your life to be? Who hasn't?

Taking time to do this can be one of the most illuminating exercises. But the secret is to take that time. There's the catch. We tend to ask ourselves where we'd like to be, what we'd like to do, and jot down the first idea that comes to mind. So I'll say it again, we need to take the time.

That's not new either. But taking the time, in a quiet place, with no flickering screens, no sounds, no voices, just oneself and the silence, can be an unnerving? experience. We've been so conditioned to noise, to sounds that interrupt and disrupt the train of thought that we otherwise might experience, that we can be overwhelmed by the kaleidoscope of images that emerge when we look inward rather than at the chosen distraction of the moment.

Quiet and solitude give us access to who we are. And that's what we need if we're to explore the vast extent of possibilities that exist between our ears. Speaking with a man who took the time, thought about what was of value to him in life, and then put it into practice, I was moved by the effects of his discovery.

He said that the revelation of what he had been looking for all along, in books, in places, in other people, was within him all the time. As it is with all of us. No doubt the books, places and people had their influence too. Perhaps they even inspired his insight. But anyone with whom I've spoken, on whatever achievement they've enjoyed, small or great, has endorsed the value of? solitary contemplation. And it's good for the mind, when guided. It can quieten thoughts, calm emotions and soothe a frazzled nervous system. But getting used to the lack of distraction can be a struggle at first. Not too many people have had the time or opportunity to be alone. And when they find themselves in solitude, it can be a strange experience.?It takes time to feel the altered state, to appreciate the value and the power of silence.

A bit like Guinness, it can be an acquired taste. But when the taste, the texture, the overall effect is experienced, there is nothing in the world quite like it. For quality time and thought in your own life, you could do a lot worse than attend the KICKSTART course, starting on January 15th., at 7 pm. Find out about it HERE.