Traveling Through Time in Your Mind and Imagination

Revisiting the past is a naturally occurring phenomenon that happens over and over again in the course of a single day. Simple conversations about what we did or where we went immediately take us back in time. Our life is filled with symbols from the past and these symbols stir up memories. A painting, a film, a photograph, a wine glass, a special book, a street, or even an empty space that was once occupied by a loved one can all immediately bring back past memories. Just listening to the lyrics and melody of a song can transport you back in time to the memory of a former friend or loved one.

Traveling back in time to memories can be an exhilarating experience or miserable journey, depending upon what we are thinking about. We can recall and entertain images and memories that make us sad and depressed and we can entertain images and memories that make us laugh and feel good. If we time travel primarily to think back to all the things that didn’t work out as we had hoped: separations, losses, disappointments, mistakes, hurts, injustices, resentments and the like, then we are using an amazing power of the mind in very limited and perhaps unhealthy ways.

The imagination is the playground for seeing the self in action. The brain does not know the difference between walking in the woods and imagining you are walking in the woods using all of your senses: visualizing seeing yourself there, feeling yourself there, hearing the natural sounds of the woods, and smelling the fragrances of the trees, brush and flowers. The brain does not know the difference between jumping in the water and swimming and imagining you are jumping in the water and swimming. In both situations the brain releases the same chemicals leading to feelings of pleasure and enjoyment.

What would be the purpose of imagining you are walking in the woods? One of the best reasons is for relaxation and the subsequent health benefits. Visualizing that you are enjoyably walking in the woods is a meditative experience and a very effective way of calming the mind and the emotions. Doing this for just 10 minutes a couple of times a day can make a remarkable difference in lowering blood pressure, eliminating headaches, and falling into a restful night’s sleep.

ThSimply breathing deeply can help abate an oncoming migraine or help you to gain your composure before taking a test or going on a job interview. Wherever you notice the discomfort or anxiety, breathe into that place and let your breath and imagination help you to soothe your emotions. Once you begin to trust in your ability to use the power of your breath and imagination, your confidence in yourself will grow and your perception of what is possible will amaze you again and again.