How to Visualize for Better Effect

To make the visualization more effective, of course direct observation works best—having a real object to touch and refer to, close to direct perception, without laborious imagination. This saves mental effort and is more relaxed. This means that when the solitary consciousness (mano-vijñāna-eka-citta) visualizes apart from the actual five sense-objects, the visualization is rather difficult; but if there is a real object to touch and refer to, with the five consciousnesses and the consciousness accompanied by the five senses (pañca-sahagata-mano-vijñāna) also joining in the visualization, it comes closer to reality, things will seem easier, and the visualization will be more obvious and rapid in its effects. 

For example, in visualization-based recollection of the Buddha (buddhānusmṛti), if there is no actual Buddha statue before you to compare with and refer to, and you rely solely on the imagination of the solitary consciousness, this is quite laborious and requires very strong meditative concentration (samādhi). When the power of concentration is clearly insufficient, in order to save mental effort, one should place a Buddha statue before oneself for reference; then the visualization will be easy to enter. With the five consciousnesses and the consciousness accompanied by the five senses joining in the visualization, the power is greater and more realistic, which helps to enhance concentration. As the visualization practice gradually strengthens, finally using the solitary consciousness alone to visualize, one will handle it with ease and gradually enter a finer state.

Another example is using visualization to open up the Ren meridian (Conception Vessel). When the power of concentration is insufficient, relying solely on the solitary consciousness to imagine Buddha-light or some other kind of light energy, shining from the lungs and pouring all the way down into the dantian, the base chakra, and other places, is rather strenuous; often the consciousness will become scattered and the visualization will lack power. It would be better to place the hand on the Ren meridian, letting the palm emit light shining upon the various internal organs, pouring down from the lungs onward, or letting the Buddha-light penetrate from the palm into the internal organs. This makes it easier to open up the viscera and let the Ren meridian flow freely, and the body can be regulated and restored quickly. The same principle applies to visualizing away illness: place the hand on the afflicted area, let the palm emit light to shine upon it, with the six consciousnesses (the body consciousness and the consciousness accompanied by the five senses) following the palm. This adds the sense of touch, making it targeted, relatively effortless and direct, and easy to produce effects. In short, the principle is to first use the six consciousnesses to assist and strengthen the power of concentration, and when the concentration is sufficient, then use only the solitary consciousness; adjust one's state well and enter the state of visualization step by step, and success will come easily.