I was wondering if someone could help me with visualization. I am currently going through the pmemory training course (got it for free online) and I cannot understand how exactly I’m supposed to visualize. I know that GMS has a very rigid way of doing things (no movement, fantasy etc) but it really emphasis on the fact that we must visualize Large, in Detail, in Color and in 3D.
What does large mean (this is what I have the most trouble with)? They say it must occupy your entire imagination, but if I do that its as if I’m standing in front of a skyscraper and I really have to struggle to “see” what I’m imagining. and also we have to imagine in color and in detail but the larger I make it the less colorful and detailed it gets.
And to see in 3D and large must I try to actually see the objects floating in front of me or should it be inside my mind?
I’m sure that even though GMS is much different than any other system the same basic principles apply… I would love to know them!!
I know these are really simple questions that probably require the most obvious answers but if someone with experience can help me out I would appreciate it immensely!!
In my opinion, I think you should not stress about following strict or rigid way to visualize.
Remember that to our brain, imagining is the same of seeing.
And because it is related to every individual brain and experience try to use the first associations and images you see in your mind.
You can practice visualizing things externally (not inside your head) at any specific location you desire. In the beginning you can spend good time imagining and visualizing details, colors, 3D shapes or whatever you like.
The ‘no movement’ thing you mentioned is very misleading. Movement draws out attention and makes us change the are of our focus and attention.
If something does not move, it is unlikely it will get our attention and as such, we will no concentrate on it. Movements represent potential threats. Animals move for instance.
Large means to exaggerate by making something bigger. This is a contradiction in what you said above since, it is a fantasy but, it does work. My number 20 is a giant tube of toothpaste. That, on it’s own, is not particularly memorable as it is not moving. It doesn’t grab my attention or represent a threat or desire. So, to get my attention, I have someone jumping on the giant tube. When they jump on it, the toothpaste squirts on some part of the location. This directly connects the toothpaste to the location.
If you want to create fantasy, then do it. If fantasy doesn’t work for memory then you wouldn’t remember all those Hollywood movies where things are often made up.
Movement is very useful and will serve to aid your memory and concentration.
Familiar faces are also very memorable. You can anticipate your mothers expression if she jumps on my giant toothpaste tube and it squirts all over your favourite shirt when you are just about to go out wearing it. Here expression would change from one of fun to one of ‘sorry’. This is also movement.
As Darius said, our brain doesn’t know the difference between imagining and actually seeing. If you imagined a wolf asleep on your sofa and it was not moving it would be much less memorable that if it were moving, especially if it decides to move toward you and you see movement in it’s face suggesting it’s hungry and you are dinner.
