Upgrade #1 - Visualization Meditation

Today’s post is a bit different. I’m calling it an Upgrade post. Upgrade posts are intended to be a bit of a bonus compared to the straight forward Flight posts about mental health. It’s kind of like, if you’re a pilot doing some upgrade training, or a passenger getting an upgrade to first class, Upgrade posts are that extra training or comfort you’ve been looking for.This post’s voiceover and the podcast feed version is a 20 minute visualization meditation I wrote, performed, and produced about 10 years ago. Here are some tips of how to use it:* If you usually listen at faster than 1X speed, reset the speed to 1X. You don’t want to speed through this.* The beginning says to sit on the floor with your legs crossed and hands clasped on your lap, but you can sit, or even lie down, however and wherever you want.* If you don’t have access to a quiet place, listen to it with headphones. Even in a quite place, headphones are a good choice.* Follow along and really try to visualize (see in your mind) what is being described.* If you’ve never done anything like this before and you don’t get much out of it the first time, it may be worth trying again in a few days.This was the track I used when I first started meditating 10 years ago. It’s not the typical type of meditation I do now that focuses on being mindful of my thoughts as they come and consciously looking for a self that does not exist. But it is a great way to get started practicing mindfulness. Like a kid hitting the ball off the tee for the first time at the beginning of their path to the major leagues.I hope you enjoy this visualization meditation and find value and peace in it.I’d really appreciate some feedback in the comments or with likes. If this is something people really like, I plan to share more mindfulness exercises.To see more from The Flight Shrink, visit the substack at https://flightshrink.substack.comDISCLAIMER:The views expressed in The Flight Shrink are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, The United States Air Force, or any other organization with which Dr. Heacock is associated.  The content of The Flight Shrink is not medical advice.  The Flight Shrink is for informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations.  Use of the information is at the reader’s own risk.  Any recommendations of treatments, products, or services are made in general and may not apply to a specific person, situation, or illness.  Please seek care from a medical professional if you have concerns for any physical or mental health symptoms.If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis or emotional distress, reach out 24/7 to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) by dialing or texting 988 or using chat services at suicidepreventionlifeline.org to connect to a trained crisis counselor. You can also get crisis text support via the Crisis Text Line by texting NAMI to 741741.  For those in countries other than the U.S. here is a Google site with helplines:https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/11181469 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit flightshrink.substack.com