There is truth to self-fulfilling prophecy and manifesting what we think and feel most about (such as experiencing the thing we fear the most, or experiencing the thing we desire). Knowing this, it’s wise to release fear, doubt, worry, and longing when they arise and move to thoughts and feelings of peace, openness, and gratitude. Aligning our thoughts and feelings, our mind-set, with a gentle open receptivity, allowing feelings of peace, serenity, and gratitude is the best path out of focusing on and feeling what you don’t want. We know when we need to let go of these “negative” feelings and thoughts, but often it’s easier said than done and we’re left wondering “how.” How, do we let go? How do we connect with a calm gentle feeling of peace and gratitude when we’re so wound up with these other emotions? Meditation and visualization work powerfully to get one out of their habitual mindset, and into a state of peaceful, open, receptivity. Aligning the person with the possibilities of what they desire, and being able to experience it as reality for that moment in time, this has the power to open up psychological blocks, and even change what’s happening in the body, in reality. As well, it allows one to break the thought pattern, and emotional patterns of fear, doubt, worry, and longing allowing them a sanctuary, a place of refuge to feel unburdened, and reconnected to their desires and to self, in a positive peaceful way.
There is an abundance of studies on the placebo effect that provides the validity of this. While it’s not always 100%, there is merit and truth to it, this guided meditation series can help you bring your focus, your thoughts, and your feelings on a calm relaxed state of well-being and work to help you release any mental blocks or unhelpful emotional patterns. Too often, along the fertility journey, most women find their predominate state as one of fear, doubt, worry, and longing, wrapped around a sense of hope. This entangles us, and can have a very real effect on the body.
There are numerous studies on the powerful effects of visualization and imagery and its healing power (see the article, The Science behind the Mind-Body Connection and Visualization.) I’ve used meditation, visualization and imagery countless times throughout life and have achieved some wonderful results in numerous areas. With my own fertility journey I’ve seen an improvement in my antral follicle, count, I’ve seen my follicles adjust in size and maturity, I’ve witness improved FSH, and “A” quality embryos. I’ve experienced breast cysts disappearing on my body, I’ve experienced improved temperatures with my basal temp chars and improved luteal phase. Pay attention to the improvements and successes, even the small ones. The more gratitude we feel for our improvements and success the more we invite more blessings to come forth.
Protecting one’s state of mind, and positive outlook is of deep importance. When the fertility journey has been long, it’s easy to feel enveloped in angst, anxiety, depression and all the supporting stressors that make us not feel like ourselves, and can even get in the way of achieving pregnancy. It’s a time to remember that “not now” does not mean not ever, and just because it may not have worked out in the past doesn’t mean it won’t work now. And in the words of my love, “try not to see this as the last chance, God provides an abundance of opportunities and blessings. Be willing to see beyond what your eyes can see.”
What is Meditation?
Meditation can be looked at as:
A Practice, something we do regularly
A pathway, or a physical and psychological tool we can use to help bring us to state of mindfulness
A state of mind, such as awareness or mindfulness
It can be seen as something very simple, or seen as something complex. There are numerous ways one can meditate such as sitting in silence, walking meditation, using a mantra, or using imagery such as giving breath a color, etc…
Meditation is about quieting the mind, focusing away from the outside world and focusing your mind inward. It tends to be relaxing, but relaxation alone is not meditation. Meditation involves a conscious awareness, as if you are able to be both yourself, and a conscious observer of yourself. It’s a moment that involves full awareness of the present moment. Thoughts often come up in meditation, and we do our best to allow them to simply pass on through as we strive for a state with no thoughts, just simply being present and aware. Meditation tend to refresh the person who meditates, giving them more energy and a sense of space, or personal spaciousness. While this is a simplified definition, it’s a good start to begin to understand what it is.
For many people who don’t have their own regular meditation practice, it often helps to use guided visualization or guided imagery to help focus the mind, and obtain a relaxed, present moment awareness free from distracting thoughts and emotions.
What is Guided Imagery and Visualization?
Guided visualization is process where one is guided through helpful mental images in a way that relaxes the persons mind and body, and helps them quiet their minds from the regular thoughts of the day such as things to do, current worry’s, past or future events. The images are spoken and described and the listener will either see the picture in their mind, or have sense of a feeling about it. It helps a person move from concentrating on what is, and begin seeing things as you would like them to be.
Not everyone can see mental pictures, and it’s fine if you don’t “see” the images. Guided meditations involves sensing, and feeling the concepts. It accesses the emotions and uses one’s inner vision allowing the person to experience their desire as reality, and have that visceral experience. This helps the person connect with the possibility of achieving that desire, and allows them to move through any psychological barriers that may otherwise be present.
The Science Behind the Mind-Body Connection and Visualization, the effectiveness of guided imagery has been established and supported by research, and it’s been proven to have a positive impact on health and physical and mental performance. Guided imagery has been successfully used in reducing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, affecting the immune system, balancing hormones, reducing blood loss during surgery, reducing anxiety and depression, alleviating headaches and pain. It’s been proven an asset to athletes, people over coming disease and obtaining health, and it can be used to help increase fertility. The proven benefits have been well documented.
Guided imagery, visualization, is considered a kind of meditation. While it can be argued, that one is not in present moment awareness if they are visualizing something in their mind, one can be both aware of the experience (as an observer) and participate in the experience. In my experience I find that guided imagery is incredibly useful in helping others begin to meditate. It’s far more difficult for one who doesn’t regularly practice meditation to sit in silent awareness, and be free from their daily thoughts. Guided imagery is also beneficial to those who have long history of practicing meditation, because it gives your body, mind and spirit the act of seeing it do that which you are asking it to do (it bridges the gap between what we are wanting and what currently is) while maintaining a sustained feeling of inner peace, surrender and detachment. Therefore, allowing it to “do” and to “be” as it is, and as you’d like it to.
Guided imagery uses the mind body connection, creating images in the mind and seeing your body experience it, can be almost as real as the actual events. The mind doesn’t fully process the difference.