From: exudeb@exu.ericsson.se (Dave Breeding, xt-dGR,)
Newsgroups: sci.psychology
Subject: Re: NLP
Date: 4 Sep 92 18:38:26 GMT
Reply-To: exudeb@exu.ericsson.se
Organization: Ericsson Network Systems, Richardson TX

In article 22382@philabs.philips.com, ehf@philabs.philips.com (Eberhard Fisch) writes:
>
>In article <1992Sep2.233024.24543@news.Hawaii.Edu>, lady@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Lee Lady) writes:
>
>|> I thought that I'd got past the "I can't visualize" problem several years
>|> ago.  But this summer, when I retook the NLP Master Practitionner
>|> training in Colorado, I realized during the first week that I was in
>|> real trouble.  Looking over the syllabus, it seemed that most of the

comments deleted...

>I've just started to explore NLP and was beginning to get somewhat discouraged 
>because of my "inability" to visualize. The fact that its not uncommon for  
>people not to have highly developed conscious visualization skills (initially) and
>some of these people have become effective NLP practitioners, is encouraging. 
>
>
>
>|> Another idea it to look at something and then close your eyes, but
>|> pretend your eyelids are invisible and you're still seeing it through
>|> your lids.  
>|> 
>
>I assume you have tried this technique. How effective has this been for you and 
>how long might it take to notice an improvement in visualization skills?
>
>|> If you keep working at it, you'll find ways to improve your ability to
>|> visualize.  I discovered last summer that part of my problem was that I

comments deleted...

>To what extent can one actually develop ones visualization abilities? Is this a 
>skill that gradually develops over time? Why are some people so much better 
>than others at visualizing to begin with?
>
>
>Eberhard Fisch
>Philips Labs, NY


Being able to visualize "clearly" is a skill that can be developed, and like any other skill, you develop it by exercising it.  

One way is to look at something externally, and then close your eyes while keeping the image intact.  Start with very simple images, like a geometric figure drawn on a piece of paper.  Once you can do this easily, you can develop your skill in two directions:

1. Move to progressively more complex images.  But do this in as small steps as you need, and be sure to master each step.

2. Begin to manipulate the image; move it closer/farther, make it bigger/smaller, rotate it around its center (as a flat image), turn it over (like a photograph), etc.  If you have an NLP book that discusses submodalities, there will usually be a list of them that will suggest ways to manipulate an image.

When trying to help someone else visualize, it can be helpful to prove to them that they can do it, even if they believe they can't.  One way to do this is to ask them something that they are sure to know unconsciously, like, "How many traffic lights are there between your home and your office."  Now, they probably have never actually counted them, so they will have to "visualize" the whole route, counting as they go.  Only after they have done it, do I point out to them that they had to be able to visuali

ze to do it.  I have never found anyone that could not do this, provided that I ask about something that they are sure to know very, very well, and that doesn't have any strong emotional component.  And after they have done it, they can usually "remember" "seeing" what I asked them about.  And then I point out that when they remember "seeing" those things, they are "seeing" them again.

I think the problem that most people have visualizing is that they become conscious of 
something called "seeing", as if it required a special effort.  But when we look at something externally, we just see it, and no special effort is required.

There is a nice little book that was written to be used in a classroom situation with small children to help them develop their ability to visualize.  It is called, "Put your mother on the ceiling."  I don't remember the author's name.  It has lots of exercises anyone could use.

Incidentally, all of the senses can be developed in similar ways. 

Have fun, Dave