Guided Visualizations are excellent tools for connecting with the subconscious mind. Participants can obtain important personal insights from a well-planned visualization activity. Once a facilitator has completed all the initial planning stages and is preparing to deliver the visualization to the group, there is just one more piece that will help make the visualization experience a successful one. And that is to take it slow.
Speak Slowly When Leading a Group Visualization
After participants have been guided into a relaxed state, it is important for the facilitator to go slow. What this means is that the facilitator needs to speak slowly and give time in between instructions for the participants to process the information or the directions given. This is not as easy as it sounds.
People new to leading a visualization have a tendency to speak too quickly. There is usually some anxiety on the part of the facilitator; some concern about the participants’ minds drifting or that the visualization is boring. However, it is critical that the facilitator slow down. Why? The participants need time to explore the inner mind and to make sense of what is going on in the visualization.
As a guide, facilitators can give one instruction, wait for five seconds and then give another instruction. If the visualization takes participants to a place for exploration, five minutes is usually a good time frame.
Complete the Visualization by Having a Time for Sharing
Facilitators need to plan for a period of sharing after the visualization is complete. This is an important step for several reasons. First of all, it gives participants a chance to express themselves and share valuable insights or “aha” moments with the group. Sharing in this way can be an empowering experience. It can help participants solidify their understanding of their visualization and provide a sense of validation, that their experience was personal, meaningful and valuable.
Secondly, allowing participants to share helps others in the group make connections within their own experiences. Sharing can be highly personal and can often trigger emotions and memories in others. This movement of energy within participants can be very healing.
Finally, allowing a period for sharing gives the facilitator significant information regarding what worked well within the visualization. This information can be used when the facilitator is planning the next visualization. As well, participants can ask question of the facilitator, thus clarifying any issues or concerns.
Of course, it is important that participants don’t feel pressured to share. Many times the visualization experience is highly personal and some participants may need time to think about the information they received. Allow people to pass during the sharing time.
A successful group visualization depends on good planning. Understanding the purpose of the visualization, whom it is for, where it takes place is the first step. The next steps are choosing a focus and then making the activity personal, meaningful and valuable. Lastly, the facilitator needs to present the visualization in a way that gives the participants time to process, as well as to share their experiences at the end. These are the steps to creating a successful group visualization.
Trish Hoskin - Trish Hoskin B. Ed, lives in southern Alberta with her husband and two daughters. Trish is a professional card reader and new age workshop ...
