Visualization not working

[Jadedhourglass]

I attempted to do visualization today and study their form in my head but it just isnt working. It keeps spasming and freaking out and I can't get it to stop moving no matter how hard I try. Not only that, but I can barley see it. This sucks, as I already have a detailed sketch out of how they look and everything else, but that's justs it. It's so detailed I can barley see it. So is it possible instead of working on their form, I could simply actively narrate to a cloud instead, and work on visualization on the side? Like I try improving my visualization overall while doing active/passive narration, and then when their sentient, and my visualization is better, we could use that form? It sucks, cause I truly put effort into it, and I feel like their tied to that form. I don't know how, but from always imagining them like that, and forcing while thinking of that form, it feels like its a part of them now and I don't want to get rid of that. I'm stuck in a rut. Isn't visualization a huge part of making them active?

[FadingSpectrum]

Troy: Visualization can be a great part in making a tulpa active. However, one notes that the experience of having a tulpa is quite subjective. Methods vastly differ from system to system. I have heard of tulpas that do not have physical forms, and still manage to work with their host just fine. You may still converse with a formless tulpa. They still have the capacity for personality, thought, and emotion.

 

If your tulpa is attached to that form, then perhaps you merely need to take the time to smooth out whatever intrusive thoughts cause you to have trouble with their form. Working on visualization on the side is a possibility. You could focus instead just on their voice, and work on their form over an extended period of time until you feel confident in your ability to imagine them without the glitches.

 

There is no rush to perfect your tulpa. You have all the time you need to develop your headmate, in that sense. However long it may take to get your visualization to work will be well spent.

[Lacquer]

Tulpas don't even need forms at all. One could make a tulpa that is literally just a voice in one's head. Funnily enough, what you suggested (formless tulpa plus extra nontulpa visualization practice) is what I would have suggested to help you. I've given an example of a carrot in a box as a starter tip for how to do visualization a few times, and you should be able to find it with search.

[Guest Vixx]

You don't need to have a form while narrating (or at all as others said). When I created my first tulpa I would narrate to him in the shower and just feel his presence outside of the curtain, specifically so that I didn't need to visualize. You could also pretend that they're laying next to you, while having your eyes closed, and just work on feeling them present first. Apart from practicing visualization in general, you could also narrate to the sketch that you have, if you/your tulpa is attached to the form. Not being able to visualize them right away won't hinder your progress though, so just keep practicing and visualizing what you can.

[Lacquer]

When I created my first tulpa I would narrate to him in the shower and just feel his presence outside of the curtain, specifically so that I didn't need to visualize. You could also pretend that they're laying next to you, while having your eyes closed, and just work on feeling them present first.

 

You don't even have to feel their presence in a location in real space either. Just directing your thoughts to them like you're on the phone is good enough. I'm not saying this because I think your methods are wrong. I've just noticed that some people have this concept that the tulpa has to be "always out" and somewhere in physical space, even in "presence" form, when this is definitely not the case. Just an alternative.

[Guest Vixx]

I agree. However feeling them there (if it's easy enough for the host) might make the transition to visualization quicker & will definitely help with imposition later on...if that is the goal. If they are able to do it, great. However, it's not necessary to create/force your tulpa.

[Vos]

I attempted to do visualization today and study their form in my head but it just isnt working. It keeps spasming and freaking out and I can't get it to stop moving no matter how hard I try. Not only that, but I can barley see it. This sucks, as I already have a detailed sketch out of how they look and everything else, but that's justs it. It's so detailed I can barley see it. So is it possible instead of working on their form, I could simply actively narrate to a cloud instead, and work on visualization on the side? Like I try improving my visualization overall while doing active/passive narration, and then when their sentient, and my visualization is better, we could use that form? It sucks, cause I truly put effort into it, and I feel like their tied to that form. I don't know how, but from always imagining them like that, and forcing while thinking of that form, it feels like its a part of them now and I don't want to get rid of that. I'm stuck in a rut. Isn't visualization a huge part of making them active?

 

You could narrate to a placeholder form for now, yes, and a cloud is one of the more common ones due to its simplicity, so you're already on the right track here. You don't need to extensively visualize your tulpa while narrating; you can have dedicated sessions where all of your focus is going towards getting those details down. And I would suggest that, because your tulpa is so detailed, you break the form down into pieces, zooming in to specific areas in your mind to refine them. When you're done with that, bring the pieces back together to make a whole.

 

Tulpas don't need a form, so no, it's not a huge factor.

[Crescendo]

As the others already said - your tulpa doesn't need a form. A form is basically just there to help the host, so it'll be less abstract to him.

When I started forcing, I created a form for Maja, or at least I tried to do so. But since my visualisation skills were really, really, really bad I just stopped after a while and focused on her presence, and she developed just fine. You can always work on a form later, together, *cough* or let your tulpa do all the work regarding visualisation like I do. *cough*

 

Don't worry about it too much! Do whatever feels right for you and you'll be fine!

[Luminesce]

I've had my tulpas for over seven years and at the current moment I can barely visualize them clearly. Some people just aren't naturally good at seeing things in their imagination, and they have to work for it. Visualization is a mental muscle you have to exercise and keep using or it atrophies, like dream recall (while some always remember their dreams effortlessly). I've had plenty of times where I could see my tulpas relatively clearly, but when I don't use that for like 3 months, it's pretty much gone and I have to start over. I mean, I'm like bottom of the spectrum though, most people are a little better off than me. Still, if you aren't a natural, it takes time and practice to get good at these things.