WELCOME TO BARBARAH’S BLOG!

This season’s Imagery focuses on a journey of self-realization–one that is challenging and productive.

The exercises presented here have been created by Twentieth Century Spiritual Master Colette Aboulker-Muscat and are published in The Encyclopedia of Mental Imagery.  The book is co-edited by Dr. Gerald Epstein, today’s leading proponent of Mental Imagery and me  I have had the privilege of studying with Dr. Epstein for fifteen years and am certified in Mental Imagery, Phenomenology and Imagination by the American Institute for Mental Imagery, founded and directed by Dr. Epstein.  I am also an Interfaith Minister, ordained by The New Seminary at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

To help you get your best benefit from Imagery, you’ll find instructions below.  For new Imagers, it will introduce you to the breathing technique required for Imagery and familiarize you with the instructions you’ll hear in the audio presentation.

Instructions for Audio Imagery

Using a recording feature, this blog aims to bring you an Imagery class such as I experienced with a group of Imagers doing the exercises as they were read by Dr. Epstein and for ten days, by Colette.  The breathing for Imagery uses a different cycle than your automatic breathing. It includes an outbreath, for which you take a long, slow, gentle exhalation through your mouth, followed by a regular inhalation through your nose.  The instruction simply says “breathe out three times.”  There are times when the instruction will be to breathe out fewer and or more times than three.  In all cases, the specified number of outbreaths are followed by a regular inhalation.  There are ten seconds of silence on the tape for your breathing, followed by the Imagery exercises.

The purpose of the Imagery breathing is to relax your body while maintaining mental alertness so images can emerge from your higher mind.  If you slip into a breathing pattern used in meditation, your mental alertness will slow down, moving you away from the state the supports a genuine Imagery experience. For the same reason of alertness, it’s suggested that you sit in an upright position in a chair with arm rests, your feet flat on the floor or on a foot stool or cushion, if necessary.  Use the arm rests during Imagery, or if that’s not comfortable, rest your arms in your lap with your hands unfolded.

For best results, do not eat or drink  within an hour or so before Imagery, if at all possible.

About the Audio Imagery Instructions

Many of the Imagery instructions focus on a single exercise.  Others may contain two or more exercises.  The first instruction is usually to breathe out three times, and is followed by breathe out one time for each of the exercises in the group.  Unless otherwise instructed, do not open your eyes between the exercises within the group, unless instructed on the audio.

You’ll notice silences on the audio after the breathing instructions, typically ten seconds for breathe out three times and fewer seconds for fewer breaths.  At the conclusion of the Imagery instruction, there are ten-twelve seconds for your Imagery to emerge, followed by “breathe out one time and open your eyes.”

Listen to the audio below before you begin. You’ll find it’s easier than it seems in words.

Knowing Ourselves Through Seeking And Returning

CLICK BELOW FOR AUDIO OF KNOWING OURSELVES THROUGH SEEKING AND RETURNING IMAGERY EXERCISE 1

CLICK BELOW FOR AUDIO OF KNOWING OURSELVES THROUGH SEEKING AND RETURNING IMAGERY EXERCISE 2

CLICK BELOW FOR AUDIO OF KNOWING OURSELVES THROUGH SEEKING AND RETURNING IMAGERY EXERCISE 3

CLICK BELOW FOR AUDIO OF KNOWING OURSELVES THROUGH SEEKING AND RETURNING IMAGERY EXERCISE 4 (Two Parts)

CLICK BELOW FOR AUDIO OF KNOWING OURSELVES THROUGH SEEKING AND RETURNING IMAGERY EXERCISE  5 (Three Parts)

CLICK BELOW FOR AUDIO OF KNOWING OURSELVES THROUGH SEEKING AND RETURNING IMAGERY EXERCISE 6

CLICK BELOW FOR AUDIO OF KNOWING OURSELVES THROUGH SEEKING AND RETURNING IMAGERY EXERCISE 7 (Five Parts)

CLICK BELOW FOR AUDIO OF KNOWING OURSELVES THROUGH SEEKING AND RETURNING IMAGERY EXERCISE 8 (Three Parts)

CLICK BELOW FOR AUDIO OF KNOWING OURSELVES THROUGH SEEKING AND RETURNING IMAGERY EXERCISE 9 (Two Parts)

Blessings, Barbarah

These Imagery exercises are posted with the permission of the American Institute of Mental Imagery.