Question asked by Sirius
Dear pastors, when I'm doing meditations that requires visualizations I find it really difficult to keep the visualization clear or even just visualize anything, Is that a result of bad karma? Is there something that a I can do to about it to improve my practice? I would really appreciate some help, thank you.
Dear Sirius,
Thanks for your question. There is no need to worry, finding it difficult to visualise is not due to bad karma. It’s because we are simply not used to doing a mental activity in this way. So it takes time to learn how to visualise properly and steadily. It takes practice and develops over time.
At the beginning, when we start practices or meditations that involve visualisation, it is better first to get used to the recitation of the texts we are using. By that I mean, get used to reciting the prayers for that particular practice.
Once we are okay with the recitation of the prayers and or mantras, then move on to the visualisation. First, we should always think strongly that when reciting the prayers, the deities are definitely there with us. They are blessing us and helping us even if we cannot visualise them. You need to feel this from the heart as strongly as possible.
Then we can move on to the actual visualisation. Most practices have quite complicated visualisations. The first thing to do is to focus on the main figure, for example in the Gaden Lhagyama (Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa), it is Lama Tsongkhapa that is the central figure. So we start building up of visualisation of Lama Tsongkhapa over time, every time we do the practice.
Try to get the rough figure and shape of Lama Tsongkhapa, then slowly add in details, for example for a couple of days focus on his face, then once you are able to be steady in your visualisation or it is clear, move on to his hands, his implements, he robes, the lotus and moon cushion, etc. You work on it slowly. Then once you have a steady visualisation of Lama Tsongkhapa, you move on to other aspects of the visualisation. However, the key in any practice is to ensure that the central figure is clear and steady during your meditation.
I hope this helps. Visualisation is something that is not easy for most people, because we simply aren’t used to doing something like this. So, we take it slowly and build up our visualisation over time. No one will be able to do the completely visualisation associated right from the beginning. It takes time and patience. But it is worth is and prepares you for higher practices in the future, as they require a lot of visualisation. It’s best to familiarise our minds with doing this kind of activity in our practice now. I hope all of this helps. Thank you.