The following information is designed to set off the process of visualization and lead your client into an awareness of any unresolved issues of the moment. It works well for people who feel that something is wrong in their life but cannot pinpoint exactly what it is.

Begin by asking your client to visualize a common, everyday object and ask him questions about what the object is. The colors of the given response indicate areas of concern. The following is an example of how this works.

As the client is sitting comfortably. Therapist says:

“I’m going to test the power of your imagination whilst you’re nice and relaxed. I want you to imagine that you can see a vase of flowers. Just imagine the vase of flowers sitting on the table over there; close your eyes to help your imagination along and then picture it clearly in your mind’s eye. Now tell me, what colour is that vase? What is it made from? What sort of flowers are there in the vase? What colours are they? What do they smell like? How do they feel?”

As you ask each question, pause long enough for a reply. Then continue with:

“Now imagine yourself sitting upright in the chair and picture a small table standing in front of you. On that table are several different colored and different shaped containers; there are red, blue, yellow and green; some containers are square, box like, some cylindrical. Inside each one of these containers is a separate set of jigsaw puzzles. Nod your head when you can see yourself, sitting at the table, with the different coloured containers. Good.

Now I want you to choose just one of these containers – any colour and shape that you prefer – and take out the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle onto the table. Notice how there is no picture on the lid of the container so I have no idea what the picture will eventually be – neither have you at this stage. But it will be a picture of a scene or an incident that is closely connected to your present problem.

Your subconscious mind knows exactly which pieces it is looking for, and will help you to fit those pieces together so that you can see what the picture is. So start now, putting the jigsaw together – a piece here – a piece there – and you can do it so much quicker in this relaxed state – much quicker than you would normally do – and when you wake up in a few moments you will be able to tell me exactly what you saw in the picture as it began to build up.”

At this stage, pause for about five minutes to allow the picture to come together in your client’s mind, before counting him out of hypnosis.

If dialogue is not forthcoming, ask the client to describe what he saw, ask if there were people, children, clothes, animals, places, etc. Find out what was going on in the picture or what people are thinking about. Most people should have been able to visualize something which will describe their inner-mental state – whether in actual or symbolic form. Sometimes there are pieces still missing or the revelation may cause surprise or even abreaction – if the subject becomes upset then you can ask him to break up the jigsaw and put the pieces back into the box until he’s ready to re-examine them.

By noting the colours of the shapes that your client has mentally selected you could take the following list as an indicator or some underlying emotion which the subconscious mind has brought up.

Red	would symbolize unconscious dangers, fears and phobias or aggressive sexual conflict.
Green	is generally taken to indicate jealousy or sibling rivalry.
Yellow	is a sign of cowardice or feelings of inadequacy but it can also symbolize optimism.
Blue	is a sign of coldness or lack of feeling.
White	indicates purity.
Purple	is a mystical colour and is often prevalent in hypnotic states.
Black	is a symbol of despair and gloom.
Pink	reflects the feminine side of one’s personality.

These color interpretations are a rough guide only. The best way to interpret a colour is to find out what it means to the person involved.

Visualisation

This is a step-by-step guide to simple techniques for visualization by Pauline Wills, that explains the benefits of visualization in specific situations, such as when sick, under pressure or pregnant, but concentrates mainly on visualization as a tool for stress relief in everyday life.

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