Anne Cooper

I can't see pictures in my mind at will while awake. But I see vivid, realistic, full colour dream images.

When I was about 15 years old an art teacher asked me if I could visualize. I assumed that he meant knowing the "idea" of an image, so I said yes. But this gave me a vague notion that it was possible to see pictures in the mind (other than while asleep). However, it took me years to realize that visualization meant creating mental pictures at will.  

Hi, You're describing exactly what I see when I close my eyes and think of an object, face, landscape or any form. I see nothing - no image or picture; just darkness, or the reddish light that comes through my eyelids. However, while sleeping I dream in full colour with vivid, accurate images. My meditation teacher thought that by practice I could improve my ability, and advised me to gaze at a simple shape - a solid circle, square or star - and then close my eyes and attempt to see it. I had no success at this. I read that Aldous Huxley was unable to see pictures in his mind, so I feel I'm in good company. It seems that not having the ability to see mental pictures is no more abnormal than being "tone-deaf" is abnormal. And, by the way, I have exceptional musical ability. I wonder if the mind specializes in one ability over another? What do you mean by "the correct path"? Cheers!