 |
|
|
|
|
Issue 6
Creative Visualisation
By Jaki Harris
When my eldest child was about three, he went through a period of disturbed sleep after an illness. As night drew in I started dreaming up new ways to help him relax and have a peaceful night. This culminated in me making up little stories about him or furry creatures going off and having wonderful adventures. It seemed like anything that took him out of himself and allowed his imagination to wander worked. Gradually, I made stories about other fantasy people and adventures, so as not to stimulate him too much or get him too consciously involved. What I realised was that this was a kind of story time, but that he was not invited to participate (he had all day to make up stories!) or contribute in any way. Knowing that he was in the passive role allowed him to just soak up what was being said. As time went on, I often used these stories to bring in themes that might have been troubling him such as issues with friends at school or the arrival of a new baby brother.
I also worked with terminally ill children at that time. Through my role as a play therapist I often made up stories with them to help them come to terms with what was happening. (So many issues arose from disruption of routine, family jealousies and fear of pain and separation to name a few). We created most of these stories together at times when the child was quite lucid. After the experiences I had with my son, I decided to see if working in this way with sick children would be effective. I waited until times when they were resting in bed, and asked them if they'd like to try out a special kind of journey in their minds. Not one child refused! I would only do this with those who felt familiar and comfortable with me. I also needed to know enough about them to create a story that would not bring up anything which would cause the child distress.
Other than weaving stories to achieve resolution, I used this type of creative visualisation to ease pain and create relaxation. Being an avid meditator myself, I was able to bring in basic breathing techniques, send energy to parts of the body for healing and show how breath can slow down anxious children. The benefits were amazing.
Over the years I have adapted these techniques for use with children of many different ages with varying physical and emotional issues. I spend more time talking with teachers and parents whose children are anxious about school, upset about friendships, worried about a divorce, or dealing with bereavement. Once adults feel confident enough to try creative visualisation with their children, it can enhance their relationship and help them learn more about each other. Ideally, adults can also learn to do this for themselves as first-hand experience allows us to get closer to an understanding of the child's experience.
Children's Relaxation:
To do this visualization you can either read it to your child or perhaps record it and play it back. It is best not to read it exactly, but to let your mind flow and add what comes spontaneously.
Make sure that you are lying comfortably. Loosen any clothing that feels tight. Feel your body on the floor or in your bed. Know that the floor or bed will fully take your weight, and that you don't have to hang on to anything. When your body feels comfortable and you don't need to move around any more, turn your attention to your breathing. Start to notice the breath as it goes in and out. Notice yourself feeling more and more relaxed with each out breath. As you focus more and more on your breathing, your eyes are getting heavier and heavier... when you are ready and your body feels very heavy and relaxed, close your eyes.
Imagine that you can see a beautiful star just above your head. This star is very special to you, as it is your very own star. It can be any colour you like - you might see it as a purple star, or maybe a blue or yellow one. Perhaps it is speckled or has stripes. This special star is filled with white light, lovely white light that shimmers and glows.
See this light streaming down toward you until it reaches the top of your head. Notice the light coming down through the top of your head and going right down your body until all of you is filled with this beautiful white light.
Feel the light going down your arms, right down, until you feel it reaching your hands and going into each and every finger. Feel it going down the middle of your body until it reaches your legs... then take it down to your feet... and imagine the light reaching every toe... then see the light going to your heart, and imagine it filled with love for all the people and the animals in the world.
Now you can choose a special friend to take on your adventure. Maybe it is someone you actually know, or perhaps it is a pet or a toy that you love. This friend is now going to take you to a garden that is your own special place, but before you enter I want you to look at the large tree that is outside. This tree is called the Holding Tree. I want you to pin on this tree anything that you don't want to think about right now; perhaps you have had some arguments at school, or maybe you're having difficulty with your school work, a friend, or maybe mum or dad. Whatever it is, this tree will take anything that you care to pin there.
Your special friend is now opening the gate for you to enter, and as you go in you find the colours are like nothing you have ever seen before. The flowers, colours, textures and perfume in this garden are wonderful; breathe them in. The grass is a vivid green and the sky a beautiful blue with little white fluffy clouds. It is very peaceful in your garden; it is full of love and harmony. Look around at the flowers and plants in your garden. Notice how they look. If you think they need watering or weeding, go over and help them out. Maybe you just want to find a seat to sit on and just enjoy what you see. I'll leave you here for a moment to enjoy your very own garden.
Start to say goodbye to your garden, knowing that you can come back here whenever you want. It is your very own place where no one else can come, unless you invite them. You can visit it again whenever you want to, and maybe do a little gardening, or just sit quietly and think about things. Don't forget that you can always pin things on your holding tree before you go in.
(If you do not want your child to go to sleep)
I'm going to count you back down from ten to one.... and by the time I get to one you will be completely back in the room, feeling refreshed and with your eyes open. Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven... Six... Five... Four... Three... Two... One! Open your eyes!
(If you want your child to drift off)
You can fall asleep in your wonderful garden, knowing you are safe and protected here with your special friend. And when you wake up in the morning you will know that you have had some very beautiful dreams... and you will be back in your very own bed.
Books:
Creative Visualization with Children, a Practical Guide by Jennifer Day, £6.99, Element Books
Nightlights by A. Civardi (et. Al), £10.99, Duncan Baird Publishers
Starbright by Maureen Garth, £6.99, Harper San Francisco Publishers
Moonbeam: Book of Meditations for Children by Maureen Garth, £6.25, Harper San Francisco Publishers
Jaki is a mother, play therapist and creator of Vision4Kids which runs creative workshops for children and courses in spiritual parenting. She also works with psychic children and their parents at The College of Psychic Studies in London, as well as working individually with adults facing parenting challenges. She can be reached on 01342-822511 or at Vision4Kids@aol.com.
Back to Articles
|
|
|
|
|
|
© Juno Magazine 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
