
Have you been seeing random images while meditating?
Has it been freaking you out? Leaving you wondering if there’s a deeper meaning? Are you searching for answers?
If you said “yes” to any of those questions, I don’t blame you. You’re not alone either.
Seeing images, colors, or anything else while meditating will almost certainly leave you with a profound feeling – I know it always does for me.
In this article, I’m going to do my best to explain what it means when you see images. What some of the common images and colors are, and anything else you need to know:
Why Do I See Images When I Meditate?
There are some different schools of thought when it comes to why we see images.
My way of thinking is that there are different reasons for different types of images for different people. So, there isn’t a one sentence answer that applies to everyone.
Some people are convinced they have activated their “third eye” if they see any form of visions or colors.
I’ve spoken about the third eye before. It’s something I always recommend people look into, but it’s not always the reason why someone will see an image.
The more common answer is that when you enter into a zone somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, your unconscious brain pulls things to the front of your mind.
Kind of like what’s activated when we’re dreaming. But you’re not in a state of sleep, so you’re more consciously aware of what you’re seeing as it’s happening.
Have you ever woken up from a dream with that sinking feeling that your dream was real? It’s similar to that when you have a clear vision while meditating, you’re experiencing a similar thing.
What Should I Do When I Have a Vision During Meditation?
The important thing when having any kind of vision while meditating is to acknowledge it’s happening, but not to focus on it.
Doesn’t that make sense? You need to be present and aware of what’s happening but stay in your meditative state.
You can reflect on what you saw later, which is why you’re here now, but trying to focus on images at the time will cause you to lose your meditative state and come back to normal consciousness.
What Do Different Visions Mean While Meditating?

A lot of visions are simply going to be random and have no meaning at all. As weird as some may be and as hard as you search for explanations, there just might not be one.
That said, I’ve been meditating and talking with others in the meditation community for years and there are some common visions that many people experience.
It’s hard to ignore the fact that these visions may share a similar meaning. This is certainly true for colors that relate to different chakra points.
Here are some common visions and what they’re believed to mean if you experience them during meditation:
Seeing a vortex or a tunnel – I’ve covered this before and it’s something I’ve personally experienced a number of times. This is believed to mean you’re activating your third eye and are opening up a vortex to your spiritual side.
Seeing a face – Seeing faces is believed to mean that someone is trying to give you a message. It might be someone you’ve lost, not seen in a while, or an unknown face.
Seeing yourself – This has happened to me and it was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. It was like looking into a mirror, except I was moving. My teacher said this is a sign my subconscious self is trying to guide me.
Seeing a baby – This is another vision I’ve covered before – seeing a baby while meditating. This could symbolize new birth, both literally or spiritually, or some kind of message.
Seeing pyramids – The pyramid shape is symbolic in spiritual and meditative practices. It has a wide range of meanings, hard to say what it means to you as an individual.
Seeing a snake – There are some deep and varied meanings behind seeing different animals. Snakes, in particular, may mean your kundalini is awakening. This is divine energy that flows from the base of the spine.
Seeing a lotus flower – Another symbolic image in Buddhism and Hinduism. If you see a lotus flower it’s believed to mean hope, renewal, and a rebirth.
In Summary – Seeing Random Images While Meditating
If you have started seeing random images while meditating, first of all, it’s a good sign. It’s an indication that you’re achieving a deep state of meditation and activating your subconscious mind.
Secondly, those “random” images might not be so random. Sure, there’s a chance your brain is just portraying whatever is going around, but there’s also a chance your unconscious brain is trying to tell you something.
It’s not recommended you focus on these images as they’re happening. Let them play out freely, then think about them when you’re not meditating.
I can’t promise you’ll always be able to interpret your visions. Neither will you always get the answers you want to hear.
But understanding the meaning behind what you see while meditating can be incredibly powerful and insightful. Giving you a deeper understanding of yourself that you can’t get any other way.
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Image credits – Header Photo by nate rayfield, space image by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

Phil lives in England, UK, and has around 20 years experience as a professional life, career and executive coach. He started this blog to help others find and define their own self development journey. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future.
When i meditate i use to see a bunch of images every night. So i stopped. Now i got back into meditation and i see scorpions or tarantulas. Why’s that?
I see mostly stars and patterns, some unknown ppl, ppl climbing a mountain, a leaf in the brightest color (where a fly lands on it and the fly dies and rolls to the tip, but is caught by the upturned leaf and stick figures with a white dove overhead. My problem is when the moving patters come in real close and i feel like I’m about to go through it, my eyes hurt like they are crossed with seeing too closly, so it breaks up and it’s over. I don’t know how to keep my eyes relaxed while watching.