How to Visualize More Effectively

To make visualization more effective, of course direct visualization works best—having a real object to touch and refer to, which approaches direct perception/valid direct cognition, requiring no strenuous imagination. This conserves mental energy and is more effortless. In other words, it is rather difficult for the solitary mental consciousness to visualize apart from the actual five sense objects; if there is a real object to touch and refer to, and the five sense consciousnesses and the mental consciousness accompanying the five sense consciousnesses (pañcavijñāna-sahagata-manovijñāna, C. 五俱意識) also join in the visualization, this is closer to reality, things will seem easier, and the results of visualization will be more evident and swifter. 

For example, in visualization-based recollection of the Buddha (buddhānusmṛti), if there is no actual Buddha statue before you for comparison and reference, and you rely solely on the imagination of the solitary mental consciousness, this is quite strenuous and requires very strong meditative concentration (samādhi). When your power of concentration is clearly insufficient, in order to conserve mental energy, you should place a Buddha statue before you for reference; then visualization becomes easy to enter. With the five sense consciousnesses and the mental consciousness accompanying the five sense consciousnesses joining in the visualization, the power is greater and more realistic, which helps enhance concentration. As the visualization practice gradually strengthens, when you finally use the solitary mental consciousness to visualize alone, you will handle it with ease and gradually enter an excellent state.

Take another example: using visualization to open the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai)/the Directing Vessel. When concentration is insufficient, relying solely on the solitary mental consciousness to imagine Buddha-light or some other light energy shining from the lungs and pouring all the way down into the dantian, the base chakra, and so on is rather laborious; often the mind will scatter and the visualization will lack power. It would be better to place your hand on the Conception Vessel, let the palm radiate light shining upon the various internal organs, pouring down from the lungs onward; or let the Buddha-light pass through the palm into the internal organs. This makes it easier to open up the viscera, let the Conception Vessel flow freely, and quickly restore the body to good condition. The same principle applies to visualizing away illness: place your hand on the afflicted area and let the palm radiate light upon it. The six consciousnesses (the body consciousness and the mental consciousness accompanying the five sense consciousnesses) follow the movement of the palm, adding the sense of touch—aimed directly at the target, more effortless and direct, and easier to produce results. In short, the principle is to first use the six consciousnesses to assist and strengthen concentration, and only when concentration is sufficient, use the solitary mental consciousness alone. Adjust your state well and enter the state of visualization step by step, and success will come easily.