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How to see bright, vivid images in your mind’s eye (2016)

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Re: How to see bright, vivid images in your mind’s eye (2016)

#11

Post by RamRodification »

CommieBobDole wrote: post #4

So, wait, are people normally actually seeing images, with their eyes, when they imagine what something looks like? Like, the brown-blackness of the back of your eyelids gets replaced with something you actually see, like it's projected there? I can imagine what something looks like, and I guess I sort of 'see' it, but closing my eyes doesn't make it any more real. It doesn't seem to involve the eyes or any part of t…

Yeah I have the same question. It's either that, which sounds kinda crazy, or that's just how they describe what you and I can already "see" when we imagine something that is visual, I guess? Whereas when you have aphantasia you cannot do that

Re: How to see bright, vivid images in your mind’s eye (2016)

#12

Post by stouset »

CommieBobDole wrote: post #4

So, wait, are people normally actually seeing images, with their eyes, when they imagine what something looks like? Like, the brown-blackness of the back of your eyelids gets replaced with something you actually see, like it's projected there? I can imagine what something looks like, and I guess I sort of 'see' it, but closing my eyes doesn't make it any more real. It doesn't seem to involve the eyes or any part of t…

No, not with their eyes. Hence the “mind’s eye”. The darkness of your eyelids isn’t replaced, it’s just that your focus is on a mental image of what an object feels like and not just on the darkness of your vision.

Re: How to see bright, vivid images in your mind’s eye (2016)

#13

Post by sebtron »

CommieBobDole wrote: post #4

So, wait, are people normally actually seeing images, with their eyes, when they imagine what something looks like? Like, the brown-blackness of the back of your eyelids gets replaced with something you actually see, like it's projected there? I can imagine what something looks like, and I guess I sort of 'see' it, but closing my eyes doesn't make it any more real. It doesn't seem to involve the eyes or any part of t…

Yes, it apparently most people can. I cannot, and I also found out relatively recently.

For example, you can ask "most people" to imagine a car, and then follow up by asking "what color did you imagine it?". For me and you this question would not make any sense, but you'll find out that "most people" find it completely normal and answer it without questioning you.

Re: How to see bright, vivid images in your mind’s eye (2016)

#14

Post by chatmasta »

The thing I've never understood about aphantasia is the emphasis on closing your eyes. Does it really matter? I can visualize an apple (to borrow the example from the frequently shared meme) whether my eyes are open or closed. It's not like my eyelids are some necessary visual backdrop for visualization.

Re: How to see bright, vivid images in your mind’s eye (2016)

#16

Post by Zetobal »

kylebenzle wrote: post #2

Great post, I wish we had more of these types of pragmatic techniques from zen buddhism/yoga. I've heard of this one as both a way to induce lucid dreaming and as just a yoga meditation but this post does not seem to mention that some people say the best results are often had right before falling asleep.

It's the same for lucid dreaming it works the best if you take a nap 20-30 mins and push caffeine and before the onset you fall asleep again.

Re: How to see bright, vivid images in your mind’s eye (2016)

#17

Post by Hnrobert42 »

CommieBobDole wrote: post #4

So, wait, are people normally actually seeing images, with their eyes, when they imagine what something looks like? Like, the brown-blackness of the back of your eyelids gets replaced with something you actually see, like it's projected there? I can imagine what something looks like, and I guess I sort of 'see' it, but closing my eyes doesn't make it any more real. It doesn't seem to involve the eyes or any part of t…

I am like you. I’m guessing that the author needed to use the stuff seen by his eyes while closed as a springboard to seeing something with his mind’s eye.

My dad told me about monk’s who meditate on imagining that their thoughts exist behind their belly button. As you noted, your mind’s eye is not located in the same physical space as your actual eyes. Similarly, there is no reason the thoughts you hear couldn’t be happening in your belly button.

But I’ve found it remarkably difficult to convince my mind that it exist anywhere other than my head. I don’t think this difficulty is based on biology. I think it’s just conditioning. But damn, it’s hard.

Re: How to see bright, vivid images in your mind’s eye (2016)

#19

Post by mistermann »

klipt wrote: post #6
CommieBobDole wrote: post #4

So, wait, are people normally actually seeing images, with their eyes, when they imagine what something looks like? Like, the brown-blackness of the back of your eyelids gets replaced with something you actually see, like it's projected there? I can imagine what something looks like, and I guess I sort of 'see' it, but closing my eyes doesn't make it any more real. It doesn't seem to involve the eyes or any part of t…

I think it's normal to distinguish imagined pictures from real ones. If you can't, that's schizophrenia.

Or sometimes, critical thinking. ;
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