Taken Directly from: http://ezinearticles.com/?3-Reasons-...res&id=2382881

All too often many people complain about the most important step in manifesting their desires; and that is their inability to visualize their goals. Are you one of those people who find it hard to hold a very clear mental vision of your desires? You are certainly not alone. There is a skill to visualizing but there is also a skill in opening your third eyes. Two separate things really.Opening your third eye clears up your mental vision so that you can actually see the mental images when you close your eyes to visualize. All too often many people are not even able to do that. So before they are able to actually sit back and visualize they must be able to actually see the images, which they cannot do at all.
Your lack of visualization skills may be one of the main reasons you are unable to attract what you want. When you create a goal you must be able to visualize it in your mind with crystal clarity. The mental interaction in your head must be clear but what happens when you can only see darkness?

There is a reason for this:
The 3 Most Common Reasons You Cannot Visualize

  • If you experience a dark void when you try to visualize your desires there are several reasons for this. Visualization may be new to you. Maybe you are so preoccupied with your daily activities and you may be someone who never takes anytime to reflect on your life. There are many people like this, they are very much in the world and the idea of going inside of themselves to think and process what is happening around them is not something that they ever get to do. Those sorts of people cannot see when they try to visualize because they have simply shut down that part of their brain. With a few simple exercises they can open and awaken the inner mental vision.
  • Do you experience very dark images when you aim to visualize? Those dark images happen because of two reasons; one reason is excessive mental clutter and also not taking enough time to hold on to your mental images long enough to awaken your mental vision. When you mind is jumping from one issue to another such as paying the bills and washing the car and feeding the kids, those thoughts can cloud the mind with dark energy. This dark energy creates a cloudy atmosphere that must be cleared up.
  • You can visualize an image for a second or two but then the image jumps right out of your mind all too quickly. This is far one of the most often complained about issue with visualization. This happens because you are unable to get into the right brainwaves. When your mind is over active it prevents you from holding the mental images long enough to actually see results. Concentration is a most powerful tool when it comes to visualizing. The ability to hold an image in your mind long enough is the true power of entering the creative zone. If you are unable to do that then you are missing out on being able to manifest what you want.
The only way to success with visualization is to develop strong mind tools. Only by developing the mind can you alter and shift reality for it to be what you want it to be.

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I believe visualization, or the ability to truly "see" something in one's mind's eye and not just conceptually think about it, is paramount for daily concentration, lucid dreaming, and such thinky things. Without good mental images, dreams are nothing but muddled thoughts and ideas, but not really sensory experiences. I should know, I've had lots of those types of "thinking dreams" where I'm barely seeing anything, if at all. These dreams are remembered similar to how one would remember thinking about some thing a while ago, rather than have seen something or heard something. Not fun.

The first reason for sucking at visualization definitely applies to me the most. I see nothing but a dark void when I close my eyes, in visualization practice and before/after sleep. Strangely enough I'm very introspective and self-conscious compared to most people; perhaps too much so. o_o

I've had glimpses of good visualization, ala the third category of bad visualization. The one where you can get an image for a little second or two but lose it rather quickly. Ironically these slight glimpses have been my best visualization moments. At least I have a true idea of what visualization is supposed to be, rather than just merrily thinking that visualization/dreams are supposed to be all thinky and bland. << Same goes for dreams; I've had a few dreams that have included REAL SIGHT!!! and hearing and all that good stuff, but comparing those to my normal dreams is like comparing viewing a picasso painting to reading a newspaper.

The point that visualization and "opening one's third-eye" are two seperate things really hit home with me. While my "third-eye", or my ability to actually see what I imagine or remember, is quite dead it seems, my imagination proper is wonderful. I can imagine scenarios and ideas conceptually in great detail, and remember things just the same. My dreams, again, are like that too even. They're very detailed, often logical, and have great stories... but lacking in sensory quality.

So I guess what I'm asking is: how do I actually see what I visualize and dream? Please don't give me the diatribe that one doesn't actually see what they visualize, etc... Not only have I been around too long to believe that, but I've actually had visualizations/dreams (rarely) that were of the quality I describe. Furthermore, if all visualization was, was just thinking about things, then there wouldn't be 18million books, articles, and websites devoted to the art. Sorry, I'm not trying to be rude if I sound snarky, but I'm fairly certain I'm correct on this, and would greatly greatly appreciate an answer from somebody that has gone from zero to hero, so to speak. An individual or two that have gone from seeing naught but blackness before their lids, to a wonderful world of colour.

Please, somebody... anybody! I really need help with this. I've been studying and practicing this sort of thing for years now, and think this roadblock is key. I'd GREATLY appreciate the help, and would be willing to help with any questions and problems a person might have. I'm not quite the dreamer I used to be in life, but I'm fairly knowledgeable and such. I'm willing to talk on AIM if desired; I certainly like it. Have a good day and a good dream.