visualizing

Then i guess they will just have to say the name of the symbol in their mind won't they.
Think about how you might teach someone who is blind;

As energyatwork has said, saying the name of the symbol is a good idea. Traditionally the names were chanted in sets of three (kotodama) rather than just spoken. The name can be chanted throughout the treatment process. Another thing that can be done is to have the intention the symbol is there. Also, people who struggle to visualise can learn to visualise. I teach students to practice drawing the symbols on paper many hundreds of times to create a deeper awareness of the symbols and to embed the image so they can see the symbol when they think of it.

...Also, people who struggle to visualise can learn to visualise.

While I agree with Omega1 that visualization can be learned, I have had the opportunity to help some blind people learn Reiki who have been blind since birth. Those who have never "seen" anything with their eyes have vented some polite frustration by saying that they really have no concept of what it means to visualize -- but they have also been excited to say that they can imagine, perceive, and sense such things as symbols in their own way. Because of my learning experience with the blind, I rarely use the word visualize. Nowadays I prefer to use the words they gave me: imagine, perceive, and sense.

Teaching Reiki symbols to the blind was a new experience, too. In usual classroom instruction the symbols could be illustrated on a large white-erase board with markers of various colors. I was able to help the blind learn to "visualize" symbols by gently moving their hand or finger into the shape of the symbol in the air before them. In my personal opinion and based on the experiences shared by others in the same class, the Reiki energy manifest quite well regardless of the blind students not being able to "visualize" the symbols in the common sense of the word.

Teaching Reiki symbols to the blind was a new experience...

That's really interesting and a good insight. One of the reasons why I ask students to draw the symbols over and over is to create neural pathways for the flow and feel of the shape, which I believe is part of the symbol's energy. I think any way a student has of knowing and feeling the symbol is sufficient and right for them.

Hi, I was taught to draw the symbols on paper then to draw them in the air, I still do draw them with my finger and visualise them as I do it (without making it obvious lol), if you are blind you would probably be taught to draw them on the palm of your hand.

I always try and take the pressure off students when they say they can't visualise. We all can. I ask them to imagine a vegetable or an animal. They can ALWAYS do that.

I explain that visualising is nothing more than that. They relax then and whilst they still may not find it easy they certainly can use the symbols.

Kind regards,
Christina

very interesting replies,I must say that I never thought of blind people, The student in questiin can draw them, both on paper and in the air, but he said that if he had no hands he would have no idea of their form. ,If I mention a symbol he goes blank, if I show it to him he connects, its hard to explain, if I cover the paper blank again, I actually thought everyone could visualise, how silly of me:eek:

I just remembered a particular student that had large drawings of the symbols on A4 paper and had the drawing in front of them while healing to help them picture the symbol. Maybe that would help?

thats what he did today while practising his healing omega

When someome cannot visualize, how can they work with the symbols, as in memorizing?

Interesting question - because not everyone CAN visualise. When some people remember things the visual modality is very weak and they will 'hear' or 'feel' more than see But actually what they need to do is remember the shape(s) and practice drawing them. Its similar to learning to read and write - although rather more complex.

The majority of people can learn to read and write - even those who don;t visualise very well.

As for teaching someone who is blind - I would teach them the shapes with braille type dots and move their hand in the shape needed. It would be challenging - but possible

Interesting question - because not everyone CAN visualise. When some people remember things the visual modality is very weak and they will 'hear' or 'feel' more than see But actually what they need to do is remember the shape(s) and practice drawing them. Its similar to learning to read and write - although rather more complex.

The majority of people can learn to read and write - even those who don;t visualise very well.

As for teaching someone who is blind - I would teach them the shapes with braille type dots and move their hand in the shape needed. It would be challenging - but possible

Thanks Tashanie, we have discussed drawing them over and over again, This has also led to another insight, there are other events in his life he cannot visualize, he feels he may have subconsciously blocked some events and memories, this may be very interesting journey:)

I feel that visualising isn't necessarily about closing your eyes and picturing something that you have seen. A good exercise I have found uses all the senses e.g. if you initially take something like an orange or a lemon and mindfully examine it using all the senses you can one by one (i.e. what does it look like, feel like, smell like) then put it aside and recall all of those sensations one by one. Next step is to slowly peel the orange/lemon and notice every detail - what does it feel like to make the break in the peel? is there a release of zest? what does it smell like as you peel it? Once again pause to recall all of this, then finally take a piece of the fruit (this is where an orange is better than a lemon!) and eat it slowly savouring it and every detail, taste, sensations etc. and then do the recall exercise. The ability of recall can be developed by practising the exercise.

I feel that this could be adapted to aid someone who has trouble visualising something like the symbols e.g. they could be cut out of fabric or coloured textured paper so you could use touch, add a different aromatherapy oil to each symbol so that you can assoicate a smell - not sure if you would want to incorporate taste into this unless you created the symbols in a foody form! 😀

Anyway that's my take on visualising!

Maria Montessori famously created "sandpaper letters" as a tactile way to help her first students learn the alphabet. In Montessori schools, we continue to use that "muscular memory" sense in helping young children to learn.

A hallmark of Lindamood-Bell's (reading remediation company) program is the use of "air-writing" or "table-writing" letters and numbers. Dyslexics have great difficulty with visual symbol retention and need that tactile sense in order to retain those symbols in their memory.

We know that, in all areas of life, humans learn better by doing rather than just seeing.

We say that we have 5 senses, but of course how we use them is far more complex. We can have stronger or weaker abilities when it comes to integrating those senses. This pamphlet, created by The HANDLE Institute, gives an excellent introduction into how the senses are integrated. http://www.handle.org/pdf/Real_Reasons_2011.pdf

So blind people are using all these other senses to make meaning of the world.

I can not memorize. Though I have to say my memory is improving since I have started daily gratitude and acceptance.

At first I thought I would have to tattoo the symbols on my arms. But I am a very girly girl and that would never do.

Then I purchased Reiki decor. Pictures that look like decor but I could look up and see the symbols.

Then I realized that the symbols are implanted in my aura and that is enough.

Then I started studying reconective healing, did gratitude and acceptance and wa la...I am conected, on and ready to go.

So...I may be wrong but I'm not sure the symbols are nessasary once you learn to connect?

BUT...of course it's a different story if you are giving attunements. So if I was giving attunements, I'd have to use decor.