[glagoliska]

This is a small realisation I've received recently. First a bit of background: When I was younger, my visualisation skills were staggering. I could see images in my mind as clear as those seen with physical sight. I could lie in a dim room and watch visualisations overlaying my visual sight. At this time in my life I was much more creative in a visual sense then I am now. I would draw and paint all day, and loved writing.
Since becoming interested in achieving induced OBEs around 12 years ago I have used a variety of methods which need the mind to be clear. All thoughts which occurred were watched, then let go and the darkness behind the eyelids focused upon.
As the years have gone by, I’ve noticed a marked decrease in my visualisation skills, and perhaps related, a decrease in my desire to draw and create (I still write and play instruments, it seems more visually orientated creative methods have declined).
I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a direct result of not focusing on visualisations which occur, and actively ‘letting them go’. As this skill has decreased, I’ve also noticed a huge decrease in spontaneous OBEs.
I think the visual activity is still occuring, but I just dont see it, or not as clearly anymore. Like I've trained myself to not see it.
The realisation concerns visualisations not being detrimental to meditation. When one meditates on a visual object, the object becomes the focus. So perhaps native visual scenarios could also become a focus whilst not being interacted with directly – sort of letting them just happen and watching.
I’m now actively encouraging my visualisation skills and have already noticed an increase in them, and conversely in my dream vividity and OBE activity.
The point of this post? I’m guessing its to say that don’t ignore visualisation as they are perhaps more beneficial than detrimental to OBE practice.
I’m curious to know if anyone else agrees or disagrees.

To those who have trouble visualizing, have you ever actively tried to increase this skill? I read a book long ago called ‘Astral Doorways’ by J.H.Brennen, it had a set of fantastic exercises to do daily to increase visualisation skills.

[Wrencytet]

completely agree. I'm only 20, but I feel the same way. Thankfully I've got into the obe-scene early enough to hopefully amend the situation!