by Creative Visualisation Training
The first mental training exercise for the Third Step is similar to the concentration practices from the previous Step. The only difference is that it involves engaging multiple senses simultaneously. If the sensory exercises from the Second Step have been performed successfully, you only need to apply a bit of creative imagination to tackle the proposed work effectively.
At this stage in Hermetic practice, there is a transition between the preparatory mental exercises of the first two steps and the more challenging tasks of the Fourth Step, which involve transferring consciousness into objects. Therefore, it is crucial to refine and master the visualisation techniques of the Third Step, as they must yield realistic results. Bardon consistently warns students against taking a superficial approach to their practices; actual progress is unattainable if the necessary results are not achieved with commitment and determination. If this is the case, it may be better to assess one’s weaknesses and return to an earlier stage to begin anew.
The initial steps of the practice are the usual ones:
- Pick a comfortable and relaxed position, or choose your favourite āsana (posture).
- Close your eyes and envision a realistic scene. Bardon describes a wall clock with a pendulum swinging back and forth, creating a ticking sound. While you don’t have to adhere strictly to this image, it serves as a simple example to help train your ear and sight initially. Try to maintain this scene in your mind for five minutes.
- In future sessions, you can enjoy various visualisations: a flowing stream, the sound of water trickling, the crashing waves on a beach, and the rustling of wind through the trees, among others, at your leisure.
- Next, incorporate tactile sensations into your scenes, such as the warmth of a place and the feeling of the wind on your skin. Bardon emphasises the importance of visual, auditory, and tactile sensations. While taste and smell can also enhance experiences, they are less critical for hermetic development.
- The exercise ends when you can maintain concentration with two or three senses simultaneously for five minutes. If you start to feel fatigued, it is best to stop and choose a time when you feel more comfortable. The morning hours are the most suitable.
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