I was inspired to write about aphantasia because of my mother. She can only see images in her mind's eye when she is dreaming. However, like other people with aphantasia, visualisation is difficult for her, if not impossible. This makes reading fiction or fantasy a challenge — she struggles to picture the landscapes, characters and unfolding scenes in her mind as she reads. As a result, she is not able to lose herself in a story in the same way as someone who does not have aphantasia.
As a poet, my writing is often sparked by mental imagery. When I compiled my poems for a book recently, I wanted to share the visual aspects of my work with all readers, including my mother. Images of the sea, shifting skies and quiet forests aim to enrich the emotions, self-empowerment and spirituality embedded in my writing. Yet, illustrated works beyond children’s books, comics and graphic novels are not the norm in adult literature. This raises important questions: Does aphantasia hinder imagination? Are those with the condition trapped in a purely logical world? Is it like having a TV whose screen never turns on? And if mental imagery is a crucial tool for spirituality and creativity, how does aphantasia shape these experiences?
Understanding Aphantasia: The Science of a Mind Without Images
Aphantasia was first identified by English polymath Francis Galton in 1880 in a statistical study about mental imagery. He observed that while some individuals could picture objects vividly, others were unable to form any mental images. He noted:
"To my astonishment, I found that the great majority of the men of science to whom I first applied protested that mental imagery was unknown to them. ... They had no more notion of its true nature than a colour-blind man who has not discerned his defect of the nature of colour.”
Today, researchers estimate that aphantasia affects approximately one in 50 people. Neurologically, it is associated with reduced activity in the brain's visual cortex. Brain scans reveal that when people without aphantasia visualise something, their visual cortex lights up much the same way as when it sees real object. However, in individuals with aphantasia, this region remains inactive during visualisation tasks, suggesting a disconnect between thought and visual representation. Some people are born with aphantasia, while others develop it due to brain injuries or neurological conditions.
Creativity, Spirituality and the Inner Experience of Aphantasia
Aphantasia does not mean a lack of imagination — imagination simply manifests differently. While some rely on mental pictures to create, others use abstract, conceptual or sensory-based thinking. Pixar co-founder Ed Catmuli learned that he had aphantasia when he failed to visualise a sphere during a Tibetan meditation session. Despite this, he pioneered innovative computer animation and story-telling. Similarly, Glen Keane, the animator behind Ariel in The Little Mermaid, does not see images before he draws them — his creativity flows from muscle memory and intuition rather than visualization.
Fantasy author Mark Lawrence offered an insightful perspective when speaking about aphantasia in a newspaper interview:
"These days, I reject the description of aphantasia as a defect. I see it as an alternative. You see a horse if asked to imagine one. I find this rather limiting. I imagine a web of horse-stuff that leads me down many paths. The idea of seeing one particular horse actually lacks appeal. What if it’s not the horse I want? What if I want something larger, more fundamental than an image?”
This alternative way of imagining extends into spirituality. Many spiritual traditions rely on visualisation — guided meditations, astral projection and energy work often involve picturing scenes, auras or symbols. For those with aphantasia, spiritual experiences may take different forms, such as a gut feeling, an emotional response or a sense of presence without visualising an image of something. For example, instead of seeing an iridescent light in meditation, they might detect a change in vibration or get an internal sensation.
Expanding the Artistic Experience: Why Illustration Matters
Getting lost in a story is a beautiful experience. Books transport us to distant worlds, introduce us to fascinating characters and stir deep emotions. I’ve been to Hogwarts with Harry Potter, explored parallel lives in The Midnight Library with Nora Seed, travelled to Tubaygat with Jebel Rum in The Thin Executioner and embarked on epic quests with countless heroes — all without leaving home. For those with aphantasia, this kind of immersion may be limited. This is why I believe illustrated books should be more widely available for adults, not just children.
Art and imagery serve as bridges between the inner and outer worlds. For those with aphantasia, they provide a tangible representation of ideas that may otherwise remain abstract. The creative process — whether through writing, painting or music — can help unlock new ways of perceiving and experiencing imagination.
There is a role for music here, too. Personally, I find music a powerful tool for engaging my mind. I often imagine scenes unfolding to the beat of a song, even conceptualizing alternate music videos in my head.
Ultimately, imagination is not confined to visual images; it is an art in itself. Whether through words, sounds or emotions, it connects us to our spiritual, creative selves. By embracing different ways of experiencing imagination, we can create a world where all minds — whether vividly picturing or abstractly conceptualising — are enriched by art and story-telling.
Guided Meditation for Aphantasia
People with aphantasia often struggle with guided meditations that rely on visualisation. Being told to “picture yourself walking on a beach” or “see yourself sitting in a meadow” can feel frustrating or even impossible. For some, this realisation is how they first discover their mind works differently. But after that, traditional guided meditation may seem like a waste of time.
This is unfortunate, as many people, myself included, find meditation easier when there is something to focus on. A structured approach can help prevent the mind from wandering too much. Fortunately, an alternative technique does not require mental imagery. It is called Open Focus meditation.
Open Focus was developed by Dr. Lester Fehmi in 1971 during his research on brainwave activity. He conducted experiments measuring electroencephalogram (EEG) responses while guiding volunteers into an alpha brainwave state. Some participants were asked to visualize tranquil scenes, while others were exposed to soothing fragrances, negative ion generators, or colorful lights. Most of these techniques had little effect on producing deep relaxation.
Then, Fehmi began using guiding questions instead. He asked participants to imagine a dewdrop on a rose petal or a waterfall, but these prompts produced no significant EEG changes. However, when he asked, “Can you imagine the space between your eyes?”, something remarkable happened. High-amplitude alpha waves appeared almost instantly. When he followed with, “Canyou imagine the space between your ears?”, the EEG showed another surge of synchronized alpha activity.
Fehmi discovered that focusing on space rather than on objects or images was one of the most effective ways to induce deep relaxation. This finding is particularly valuable for people with aphantasia, as it provides a meditation technique that does not require visualisation.
Open Focus meditation shifts awareness to the “space” within and around us. This technique taps into a sense of expansiveness and stillness, allowing the mind and body to reset. Like a seed growing in the soil, this quiet presence can be deeply restorative.
I have found Open Focus to be a powerful tool for grounding myself, enhancing creativity, and feeling more in tune with my intuition. Unlike traditional visualisation-based meditation, it is accessible to everyone, whether or not they can see images in their mind’s eye.
By embracing different approaches to meditation, we open the door to deeper relaxation, creativity and connection — regardless of how our minds process imagery.
Further Reading
Lester Fehmi's Open-Focus Attention: The Cure for Narrow Focus and Stress - Subtle Energy Sciences
When the mind’s eye is blind - Austin Kleon
Read more articles by Nicole Bonnett.
