Post by goldmother on Jul 29, 2005 4:30:06 GMT -5
Ok, so I was asked the difference between these three techniques.
I can only draw upon my own experiences and understandings here, as any kind of trance work is entirely individual..
Firstly, all of these techniques I would define as trance states - the textbook definition of a trance is an altered state of awareness, and that us what happens with all these techniques. The differences between them are so subtle, and in all truthfulness the dividing line is very blurred. For me, the main difference is the intent of the experience. Anyway, I'll try to define it as I understand it, but feel free to add your own thoughts and definitions, I like to learn from others xx
Visualisation - I see this as the lightest and least intrusive of the three states. It can be something as simple as visualising love flowing into another person when you hold them, imagining energy entering your body when you are tired and resting. Its pretty simple to achieve - simply employs the imagination in the same way that you use your imagination to recall the face of someone you love, or the layout of your house. It's important to say here that, in contradiction to the terminology, I don't believe that all visualisations must be visual. I know that sounds a little odd. Some people struggle with 'seeing' things in this way, yet still have a strong awareness of how things look - can still describe them even though they can't see them. So if you try to visualise something and don't feel that you can physically see it, don't think that you have failed - just rely on your other senses and your intuition to fill in the blanks. Of course, the ability to 'see' is something that can be developed, and simple visualisations like I explained above are a great way to do this - the more you try the easier it gets. You can visualise in any place and at pretty much any time.
Meditation - Ok so I use meditation for inner peace. For me, this is not a time to be thinking about visualising anything or achieving anything - its a quiet space in time with no intrusive thoughts and nothing around me. It can be quite a difficult state to achieve, requires focus and concentration, but is immensly rewarding. I use a chant, a mantra, to help me achieve the state - sometimes I will close my eyes, sometimes I focus on a candle flame. I always sit upright, on the floor, cross legged to meditate. It induces depth of trance which varies between individuals, and even between experiences. You can easily guide yourself into meditation, although it may take a bit of practice to shut out thoughts and surroundings, but it is worth the effort.
Pathworking - The place where visualisation and meditation meet. It is again a trance state, which combines the two previous methods. Generally speaking, to pathwork most people (but not all) will start with either a guided path (like a spoken CD) or some kind of script. The problem with scripts is, of course that when you are pathworking you have your eyes closed so you can't read it - hence if you want to use a script then record yourself saying it onto a tape or a CD and play it back. Even better though if you can get someone to guide you - generally the deeper experiences come from individually guided paths. Pathworking, for me, involves finding another place, a place on the astral plane - this could be anywhere - from somewhere you have been physically and want to revisit, to somewhere within the other realms of space and time. You can also use pathworking to meet and interact with others - living, passed on, Goddesses and Gods. The limits really are endless once you become familiar with it. It is something that you can facilitate yourself, particularly if you are already familiar and comfortable with visualisation and meditation, but I always like the opportunity to be guided by someone else as well! To pathwork, I would tend to assume a far more relaxed position than I would use for meditation - generally lying back with head and shoulders slighly elevated, but always with the whole body supported. Nice music in the background often helps - I use non-lyrical music, but not anything that I am likely to listen to or hear when I am out and about - you never know what may happen once those subconscious associations have been made.....
Of course, these are just my experiences and definitions, like I said earlier the distinction between these states is very very blurred and at the end of the day its not really all that important what label you attach to your experiences, just go with what you feel is right.
Hope this helps, I look forward to your views and opinions and experiences too - if I can help in any way though (I have literally hundreds of pathworking scripts for example) then please don't hesitate to ask - either through this board or PM me if you prefer.
Love and light
Goldmother xx
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I can only draw upon my own experiences and understandings here, as any kind of trance work is entirely individual..
Firstly, all of these techniques I would define as trance states - the textbook definition of a trance is an altered state of awareness, and that us what happens with all these techniques. The differences between them are so subtle, and in all truthfulness the dividing line is very blurred. For me, the main difference is the intent of the experience. Anyway, I'll try to define it as I understand it, but feel free to add your own thoughts and definitions, I like to learn from others xx
Visualisation - I see this as the lightest and least intrusive of the three states. It can be something as simple as visualising love flowing into another person when you hold them, imagining energy entering your body when you are tired and resting. Its pretty simple to achieve - simply employs the imagination in the same way that you use your imagination to recall the face of someone you love, or the layout of your house. It's important to say here that, in contradiction to the terminology, I don't believe that all visualisations must be visual. I know that sounds a little odd. Some people struggle with 'seeing' things in this way, yet still have a strong awareness of how things look - can still describe them even though they can't see them. So if you try to visualise something and don't feel that you can physically see it, don't think that you have failed - just rely on your other senses and your intuition to fill in the blanks. Of course, the ability to 'see' is something that can be developed, and simple visualisations like I explained above are a great way to do this - the more you try the easier it gets. You can visualise in any place and at pretty much any time.
Meditation - Ok so I use meditation for inner peace. For me, this is not a time to be thinking about visualising anything or achieving anything - its a quiet space in time with no intrusive thoughts and nothing around me. It can be quite a difficult state to achieve, requires focus and concentration, but is immensly rewarding. I use a chant, a mantra, to help me achieve the state - sometimes I will close my eyes, sometimes I focus on a candle flame. I always sit upright, on the floor, cross legged to meditate. It induces depth of trance which varies between individuals, and even between experiences. You can easily guide yourself into meditation, although it may take a bit of practice to shut out thoughts and surroundings, but it is worth the effort.
Pathworking - The place where visualisation and meditation meet. It is again a trance state, which combines the two previous methods. Generally speaking, to pathwork most people (but not all) will start with either a guided path (like a spoken CD) or some kind of script. The problem with scripts is, of course that when you are pathworking you have your eyes closed so you can't read it - hence if you want to use a script then record yourself saying it onto a tape or a CD and play it back. Even better though if you can get someone to guide you - generally the deeper experiences come from individually guided paths. Pathworking, for me, involves finding another place, a place on the astral plane - this could be anywhere - from somewhere you have been physically and want to revisit, to somewhere within the other realms of space and time. You can also use pathworking to meet and interact with others - living, passed on, Goddesses and Gods. The limits really are endless once you become familiar with it. It is something that you can facilitate yourself, particularly if you are already familiar and comfortable with visualisation and meditation, but I always like the opportunity to be guided by someone else as well! To pathwork, I would tend to assume a far more relaxed position than I would use for meditation - generally lying back with head and shoulders slighly elevated, but always with the whole body supported. Nice music in the background often helps - I use non-lyrical music, but not anything that I am likely to listen to or hear when I am out and about - you never know what may happen once those subconscious associations have been made.....
Of course, these are just my experiences and definitions, like I said earlier the distinction between these states is very very blurred and at the end of the day its not really all that important what label you attach to your experiences, just go with what you feel is right.
Hope this helps, I look forward to your views and opinions and experiences too - if I can help in any way though (I have literally hundreds of pathworking scripts for example) then please don't hesitate to ask - either through this board or PM me if you prefer.
Love and light
Goldmother xx
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