Initiating visions

Initiating visions 

By Jimmy Henderson 

‘We must learn to tailor our concepts to fit reality, instead of trying to stuff reality into our concepts.’

Victor Daniels

Belonging to an ancient order dedicated to spiritual study, we often make use of symbolic rituals during special times of dedication. If applied correctly, similar rituals can also unfold spontaneously in the mind during advanced meditations, usually as a form of an self-initiation.  

The technique is to set a prior intention for such an inner experience and enter a low-light room already in a light mediation with the mind completely at ease and open to any subtle impressions. One's eyes should be half-closed to shut out distractions and also to allow the unconscious mind to impose on one's inner vision. If the approach is successful, images will begin to unfold naturally in the left and right peripheral fields and the entire scenario will seem like a (spontaneous) daydream. Interactive scenarios involving sacred places such as forest glades, medieval castles and Egyptian temples can unfold in this way, all choreographed by the unconscious mind.

This level of spontaneous imagery, which one can truly call a vision, requires a very close prior relationship between conscious and unconscious processes of the mind, a connection which will make ongoing real-time inner communication possible. This connection can be established through the techniques as already described in my books. 

This kind of exercise opens up a new realm of possibilities in which one can begin to reach through and interact with other sub-personalities that exist within Spirit. These personalities can also bring about similar symbolic initiations in the form of visions as part of their teaching to mankind. Hopefully, by this time the reader should be able to understand and accept that we are not alone in this universe, and there are other players on many levels in this game of life and consciousness as well.

Jimmy Henderson is a metaphysician and the author of a number of books and articles on inner self-development. He has an Honours degree in philosophy (metaphysics) and a Masters degree in Psychology. His books ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ (2007) and ‘Multi-dimensional Perception’ (2010) are available on Amazon.com and Kalahari.com and can also be ordered via his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com

Archetypes and the unconscious mind

Archetypes and the unconscious mind 

By Jimmy Henderson (Hons BA (phil), MA (psychology) FRC

Archetypes do not have a well-defined content "but from the moment they become conscious, namely nurtured with the stuff of conscious experience."

Carl Jung

The passage to higher levels of consciousness must always pass though our own unconscious, an area of the mind in which forgotten and repressed memories, as well as a collection of personal archetypes are to be found. These archetypes, which can include the 'inner child', 'the hero' and the 'victim',  will take the form of vivid and sometimes even fearsome humanlike figures, as they are personifications of our doubts, fears and other unresolved aspects of personality. However, they all have an essential consciousness (derived from our own), and it is actually possible to communicate with them.

During lucid dreams, meditation or altered states, these archetypes will usually emerge one at a time from the background to present a challenge as to the negative thoughts, emotions and actions which have brought them into being or to the reasons for their neglect. The matter can be managed by facing and communicating with each apparition in turn, attempting a resolution by explaining past actions and motives, accepting any message or lesson they bring, requesting forgiveness and recommitting to a new course of action. In this way, the resolution of personal archetypes is possible and passage to deeper areas of mind becomes possible.

Further along the journey, possibly during later dreams, meditations or semi-trance states, one will most likely be exposed to a series of spontaneously unfolding vistas and scenarios of which the content is also spontaneously generated by the personal unconscious. These scenarios are designed to expose one’s deepest doubts and fears and are a natural initiatory mechanism to protect the fragile human mind and determine whether one possesses the necessary attributes such as courage, fortitude and conviction with which to proceed further.

By applying the power of intention, active control of the unfolding scenes can be assumed and conscious decisions made to face the challenges one at a time. The kind of symbolic initiatory scenarios that can be expected could include having to complete a dangerous climb up a mountain or a passage through a dark cave. One would have little success in progressing with a journey into the depths, power and mystery of one's own Mind if even these initial psychological obstacles cannot be faced and overcome. 

Jimmy Henderson is a metaphysician and author of a number of books and articles on self-development. He has an Honours degree in philosophy (metaphysics) and a Masters degree in Psychology. His books ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ (2007) and ‘Multi-dimensional Perception’ (2010) are available on Amazon.com and can also be ordered via his own website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com

Mental creation

Mental creation  

By Jimmy Henderson 

‘One's values are profoundly changed when he is finally convinced that creation is only a vast motion picture and that not in, but beyond, lies his own ultimate reality.’

George Harrison (the Beatles)

Much has already been said about the human ability to create images and indeed entire scenes using only the power of thought. Mental creation using imagery is not difficult and this skill can be applied during meditation as well as lucid dreaming. Sometimes mental creations can be so real that they become almost tangible. And this is important for understanding the formation of a sense of reality in the mind and even the physical creation of the Universe.

In this regard, it should be quite clear that the levels of energy outside of the mind (the actual material environment) are much denser and slower-moving than that which is within the mind, and any form of physical manipulation using only mind-power is extremely difficult, but not impossible. For example, recent scientific experiments conducted by Professor Yamamoto on the formation of ice crystals in liquid (water) have shown that the human mind can have a definite effect on the transformation and structuring of matter, in that ice-crystals will assume different patterns in response to the thoughts and emotions of the observer. Experiments in respect of the Wave-and-Particle Theory of Matter have also suggested that the focus and intent of the experimenters themselves can affect the readings that are obtained.

However, with our present human level of mind and consciousness, most creative actions in the everyday world are performed with the assistance of the body, which is specifically evolved to shape and manipulate matter on this plane, although the initial images involved in the planning and shaping of the work are created and held in the mind. In fact, the sluggishness with which change takes place on this sphere is actually necessary at this stage of human development. One can well imagine the havoc that could occur in the world if everyone (including selfish and undisciplined minds), had the power to control or create matter and energy with the mind, or to bring about immediate changes in circumstances or events.

That kind of mental power would therefore logically have to be reserved for advanced beings that have attained the necessary level of consciousness and understanding to use it responsibly, for instance, those who, through the ages, have demonstrated the ability though (so-called) miracles. 

Even within the exploration of mind, when it comes to working with mental energy it is always advisable to exercise caution and seek guidance. A strong and sudden influx of consciousness could affect normal mental functioning and even ‘fry’ one’s neural circuits (in a manner of speaking) if one is unprepared. Any advancement in energy work should therefore be gradual in order to allow one’s body and mind to grow accustomed to the necessary inner changes.

Jimmy Henderson is a metaphysician and the author of a number of books and articles on inner self-development. He has an Honours degree in philosophy (metaphysics) and a Masters degree in Psychology. His books ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ (2007) and ‘Multi-dimensional Perception’ (2010) are available on Amazon.com and can also be ordered via his own website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com

Dream Interpretation -Testimonial

The method that Jimmy Henderson uses to look at one's dreams is simple yet all encompassing, allowing one to understand one's own dream from that springboard. It is important to be able to analyse one's own dreams, however most of us need some guidance to launch us on our own way. I have found Jimmy's analyses easy to follow and will soon be confident to go it alone.

Pili Bruhjell 

Lucid dreams

Lucid dreams 

By Jimmy Henderson

Hons BA (philosophy), MA (psychology ) FRC 

Being able to work within one’s dreams is a useful starting point for any journey of self-unfoldment. 

Lucid dreams can be described as those which are extremely real and in which one gains a degree of consciousness sufficient to make choices and simple decisions. These dreams sometimes occur spontaneously, but one can also learn to consciously activate, enter and even control these dreams. Once again, it must be kept in mind that what is seen during lucid dreaming is assembled in the mind using symbolic processes of interpretation and will depend largely on the dreamer’s framework of thinking and past experience.

One can also predispose oneself to lucid dreaming over time by setting intentions immediately before sleep, until moments of partial consciousness during sleep begin to occur and these moments are used to introduce a conscious thought to move forward into deeper areas of Mind. Further details of how to achieve lucid dreaming have been fully described in my previous book ‘Multi-Dimensional Perception’ (2010) and will therefore not be repeated here.

Lucid dreaming introduces an exciting new area of mind-exploration and development, as during a dream one is operating fully within the realm of the unconscious mind where the subliminal schemas which influence thinking and perception are maintained. And in a similar manner to the advanced imagery achieved during deep meditation, by consciously manipulating the dream, one can introduce changes to these schemas directly. Engaging a lucid dream also allows one to exercise mental energy, intent and will-power, skills that can be applied in everyday life.   

This experience is well known in older cultures and is recorded in tradition as the ‘dream-world’ of the Australian aborigines and the North-American Indians. Recent anthropological research has suggested that the Bushmen of Africa were also fully acquainted with this induced alternate (dreamlike) sense of reality, which provided the content of their spiritual practices as well as their paintings.

Similar to meditation, when entering a dream scenario, it will be experienced as subtle, flowing and flexible. Any new thoughts, ideas or emotions will immediately take on form and produce vivid images. However, a dream functions on a deeper level of mind than meditation and from this point, one can communicate instructions directly to the unconscious. These instructions can be directly formulated in the mind, such as a conscious intention to move through to a deeper level, or in a roundabout manner using symbols or metaphors, as this is a language that the unconscious mind readily understands. For example, as with meditation, one can create a flight of steps leading upwards, coupled to the intention that this leads to a higher level of mind, or produce a symbolic door with the intention that this leads to the threshold of new dimensions of reality. If the method is correctly applied, one’s unconscious should respond by opening one's perception to these new inner experiences.   

These operations within a lucid dream are not at all easy, and in fact, are very demanding in terms of energy. The waning of energy will be noticed fairly quickly as one begins to lose focus in the dream. However, with practice, control-time of the lucid dream can be lengthened. This is therefore also a useful exercise for increasing mental stamina and will-power. 

All lucid dreams should be ended by consciously setting an intention to wake up, as this establishes a pattern of voluntary control for all future excursions into this level of mind.    

Jimmy Henderson is a philosopher and metaphysician and the author of a number of books and articles on self-development. He has an Honours degree in philosophy (metaphysics) and a Masters degree in Psychology from the University of South Africa. He is presently busy with his doctoral thesis in cognitive psychology and is based in Durban.

His books ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ (2007) and ‘Multi-dimensional Perception’ (2010) are available on Amazon.com and Kalahari.com together with a number of e-book guides and can also be ordered via his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com

Dream interpretation
I will be offering online dream analysis and interpretation (by e-mail) at a cost of $ 30 (ZAR (R) 300 per dream (session).

You will be requested to supply details of your religious and cultural beliefs and worldview which form your (unconscious) frame of interpretation (reference),  as well as details of each dream listed in a specific format which will be provided once we have an agreement. 




This service can also be provided in the case of visions or visualisations (meditations) in which symbols and figures are spontaneously presented 

Submit your request to e-mail jimmy@jimmyhendersonbooks.com at which time bank details and details of the process to be followed will be given. 

Advanced imagery

Advanced imagery

BY Jimmy Henderson 

Hons BA (phil) MA (psychology) FRC

These advanced techniques all require a prior mastery of meditation as well as psycho-interactive (spontaneous) forms of imagery, a process in which unsolicited changes to a re-enacted scene in the inner visual field take place as the unconscious mind becomes a more active participant in the process.

Once accessed and activated by subjective or altered states resulting from contemplation or meditation, the unconscious mind will respond to new imagery that is introduced and it will be possible to introduce entire imaginary scenarios into one's inner visual field. 

The effect of this mental skill can be enhanced by also adding other sensory modalities such as tactile impressions (touch), sounds and even scents to the enactments to increase their multi-dimensional nature and efficacy. A simple example of such an enactment would be consciously moving oneself through a series of visualised doorways and stairways with the intention that these are portals to higher realities or levels of reality. If applied correctly, it will be found that the unconscious responds accordingly and corresponding changes in consciousness and perception will be noted. 

Another method of applying complex imagery involves creating scenarios specifically designed to facilitate inner growth. This would include introducing metaphoric dramatizations that encourage the unconscious mind to act on its own initiative and complete a metaphorical re-enactment. For example, imagining oneself in an (imagined) chrysalis and requesting the unconscious to respond and open one to an inner transformation as would be experienced by the emergence of a butterfly.

Another possibility would be the formulation of pseudo-realities involving complex and bizarre dramatisations such as a visit to a strange planet with zero gravity in which rocks are floating suspended in the air. This would radically challenge one’s perceptual schemata, current beliefs, thinking and understanding of reality, even more so if one is able to accurately reproduce an experience of interacting with this (mentally created) environment and be able to shift one’s perception back and forth between the world of floating rocks and everyday reality.   

This same principle can also account for ‘visions’ which spontaneously occur, in that the (blank) envelope of consciousness (inner visual field) created during highly subjective states, can become the staging ground for communication with one’s own archetypes and other unconscious content, as well as for external communication with archetypal personalities from higher levels able to ‘imprint’ on the field. 

When working with this inner field of vision, personal differences will often be reported in what subjects see (or imagine) under highly subjective conditions, and one therefore needs to bear in mind that anything seen is being constructed in the mind using processes of symbolic interpretation. Any images will thus only be representations formulated from a series of impressions or sensory cues that are being experienced and can differ based on one’s existing framework of beliefs and ideas. 

These ideas will contain, (or be linked to) prototypical images of how things ‘should’ appear in reality, and these images will be activated by the different sensory impressions and presented within the inner visual field. In other words, activities, cues, characteristics from the external (or internal) environment which are ‘humanlike’ in any way, will be categorized as such, and result in the image of a person.

As in the case of dreams, some powerful drives and instincts could also emerge from the unconscious and assume the form of images in one’s inner visual field. In fact, there are many anecdotal cases when these ‘projections’ have even been reported as being seen by other persons, especially those with a highly-developed sense of intuition. This phenomenon could account for the reports of (superimposed) reptilian-like images associated with some persons. In these cases, what is actually being detected and symbolically interpreted is most likely the presence of a primitive emotion or instinctual drive relating to an earlier stage of human evolution.

In some cases, due to a lack of development of the relevant brain centres, visual images may not be properly formed. However, it is possible that, in these cases a ‘presence’ could be felt, which can be an equally powerful experience, as these feelings can be quite disturbing, suggesting that the ‘energy signatures’ of impinging personalities are of an unfamiliar nature.  

As stated earlier, the unconscious also provides a protective function to the human mind by filtering out unnecessary information or any input which could present a sensory overload. In addition to this, research has shown that the contents of one’s schemas also have the ability to influence one’s perception to the point of the human mind being able to ignore or disregard that which does not conform to existing values or beliefs or framework of possibilities, and would therefore form a threat to one’s emotional or psychological well-being.

This means that during advanced imagery using created inner visual fields, one would have to produce imaginary scenarios that would be acceptable to the unconscious and also find methods of bypassing the protective mechanisms (mental blocks) set in place by one’s moral or religious convictions. A conflict of conscience will therefore be experienced as a stumbling block to a positive, directed state of mind. For this reason, sincere students or metaphysical practitioners will often have to enact a series of ‘rituals’ in order to satisfy any ethical requirements. 

These rituals can take the form of restating (good) motives, making new commitments or adhering to certain ‘protocols’ which will satisfy the needs of a distrustful unconscious mind. To rephrase this, mental practitioners may have to unlock a series of 'psychological gates' in order to gain the co-operation of the unconscious in moving deeper into the recesses of the mind.

Jimmy Henderson is a metaphysician and the author of a number of books and articles on inner self-development. He has an Honours degree in philosophy (metaphysics) and a Masters degree in Psychology. His books ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ (2007) and ‘Multi-dimensional Perception’ (2010) are available on Amazon.com and can also be ordered via his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com