I can't see when I close my eyes

[Aeolus]

When I was younger I know I saw things I could follow around when I closed my eyes, I don't remember what they were, probably colors or weird shapes, but I can't do anything like that now. Even when I try "staring into the darkness of my eyes," I can't tell if I'm just moving my eyes around or what. Is there any way to get this back?

[Fractal]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but I don't think you actually see the hypnagogic imagery with your real eyes. I'm quite certain you see it with something called your mind's eye. It's like a visual thought - if that makes any sense. So trying to stare into the darkness of your eyes for visuals is probably hindering you from seeing any visuals - as those kind of visuals are coming from your brain rather than your eyes. I hope that answered your question.

[Aeolus]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but I don't think you actually see the hypnagogic imagery with your real eyes. I'm quite certain you see it with something called your mind's eye. It's like a visual thought - if that makes any sense. So trying to stare into the darkness of your eyes for visuals is probably hindering you from seeing any visuals - as those kind of visuals are coming from your brain rather than your eyes. I hope that answered your question. I know exactly what you mean. I can think of what something looks like. But people say "visualize what you will do in a lucid dream," or, "think of a billboard with 'lucid dream' written on it," that is what I have trouble with. I didn't mean hypnagogic imagery, just visualization.

[Fractal]

Ah, yes, I understand, this is from what I understand a rather common problem. What I've noticed is that I have a harder time visualizing things initially, but once I've relaxed for a while it gets easier and easier. I'm pretty sure you can train this ability though by observing an object while your awake, and then close your eyes trying to think about the shape, color and other aspects of it inside your head. Eventually it will get easier - I know this because I draw a lot - and it's essential for me to be able to visualize something before I begin trying to draw it. At first it may seem like you're just thinking about the shape, but eventually you -will- see it inside your head.