Getting prepared for guided imagery or visualization is easy. You will need to get in a comfortable position, either lying on your bed or in a comfortable chair.

You have a choice here. You can tape or record the written visualizations either from this lens or another book. Be sure to leave plenty of time if there are openings that require a response. Dim your lights if you are using this preparation. If you decide to read the visualizations or guided imageries you are probably better using a chair, perhaps in a half-reclined position. It is easier by far to listen to the words than to have to interrupt the mood and read the next sentence. Taping or recording the visualization is a better idea. Then you are not disturbed by lost places nor interruptions in your concentration.

3) Begin by slowing your breathing. You will want to inhale into your belly (your abdomen should rise when you take a long, slow breath.) When you exhale, you need simply relax and breathe out. You do not have to breath deeply or blow the air out of your mouth. You simply need to slow your breathing down. Try inhaling to a count of four, holding your air in softly, then exhaling to a count of four. You may need to use your first few sessions to practice breathing until it becomes second nature. Remember, no straining, just simple, long inhales, rest, relaxed exhales.

4) Now try to let your mind go black. If this is difficult, and it very well may be, imagine you are looking at a dark sky or at a gigantic blackboard. This is where a dimmed or darkened room provides a more conducive environment.

5) Now imagine yourself in the visualization. Feel the air, smell the roses, hear the waves, stroke a kitten, look at the clouds. Use all of your five senses by just visualizing them. Follow along with the descriptions and the directions on the visualization.

6) Take it slow, practice, and don't expect to be an expert in ten minutes. With some practice and repetition, soon you'll be a pro.

You are resting in a quiet room in your home, relaxing. Feeling the need to stretch your body, you go for a walk outside.

You walk out of your home and notice an unseen stone path veering from your sidewalk. Curious, you follow the narrow tracks into a nearby woods. You are walking at dusk and know that soon night will fall. You come to a clearing. It is a lovely garden so you rest in this garden. A grassy mound in the center is encircled by a tiered garden of flowers. There are twinkling lights on the edges of the garden bed. Flowers - lilies, orchids, daisies - all bloom profusely, waving in a sea of color. They nod at you, seemingly directing you to a spot in the woods.

You look closely in that direction and discover a path leading deeper into the woods. You can see dimmed lights from a far window. Drawing near, you discover a stone cabin tucked into a thick copse of trees. You open the gate and enter the yard.

You hear a rumble of words pouring forth through the open window. As you approach, many voices become clear; conversation and laughter emanate from the house.

You tip-toe to the window to sneak a peek. Gathered together are all of your deceased loved ones: spouse, parents, friends. You are pleased and you speak through the window.

"Hello," you say and each person says hello to you. One whom you loved most dearly asks, "Do you wish to hear what we say? Anything you wish to say to us?"

You speak to everyone through the window and then you speak to those most cherished to you. You know innately you may not enter the cabin. It is the home of your dead.

This is what you say to each person...

This is what each person says to you...

When you finish your conversations, you are filled with a sense of strength. It is time to return to the garden and your home. You walk away, but then realize you didn't say good-bye.

You turn back, only to see the cabin standing in silence and darkness. You realize you do not need to say good-bye. You will always have an unbreakable connection to your loved ones. You can visit the cabin whenever you desire.

You return to the garden and sit on the springy grass, wondering about the words just spoken.

This is what you think...

Then you follow the path and arrive at your home. You intend to stay awake, but you are very tired. You climb the stairs to your room and lie down. Within moments you fall blissfully asleep, sinking into a dreamy slumber.

You dream about your new found garden. You will return soon.

You are lying on a sandy beach, dawn barely breaking on the horizon. The ocean's calm is marred only by the sounds of gentle waves, waves sloshing into the sandy gullies and tidal pools. Swish, swash. Swish, swash. You are feeling rested, listening to the ocean sounds. Gulls begin their morning cry, swooping over the sea, swooping to catch their breakfast. The sun is past the horizon, a ball of fire. It warms the sand beneath you. Gentle breeze, rhythmic waves, warm sand. You are feeling comforted by the beach.

As you slowly open your eyes, you see a tiny red boat in the ocean, chugging along. Slowly the boat makes a half circle, and heads toward the shore. towards where you are sitting, relaxed and smiling.

As the boat draws onto the sand, you notice a figure standing at its' helm. It is familiar, comforting.

The figure seems to be offering you strength. The figure turns, tosses off his hat and you recognize your loved one, the one person you loved fully, passionately.

You say, "Why are you here? Join me on the beach. Have you come with a message?"

"I cannot leave this boat, but I will remain close to shore so we may speak. And, yes, I have a message. This is what I want you to remember..."

You listen carefully, absorbing his words into your heart, committing them to memory. When he stops speaking, you look up at him. There is a sparkle in his eyes, a kindness upon his face.

"And is there something you wish for me to know? I am listening."

And you smile and you say, "Yes. Yes, there is something I would like to say. I want you to know...

He listens carefully, and nods his head. Then he turns to face the sea. "It is nearly time for me to return. I was only to have the boat for an hour or two, and already it is approaching dusk."

You look around, surprised at your surroundings. It is growing dim and the breezes off the water are cooling and fresh. You stand up and are within a foot of each other. Yet, you do not touch. He turns to you and look intently at each other. He speaks again.

"Do you know," he says. "I have always wanted to tell you..."

"Yes, thank you," you reply. "And I want to part with these words...

With their words just a whisper now, he takes the till of the little boat, and raising his hand in farewell, he eases into the darkening waves and disappears.

You return to lie down upon the silky sand, still warm from the captured heat of the sun. You smile restfully, your eyes flickering in the light. You breath easily. You smile.