ÒÁÈ˾þÃ

Letter: Dreaming without a mind's eye (2)

Published 22 April 2026

From Erik Foxcroft, London, UK

I found the article on mental imagery training very interesting. As described, I don’t have very good mental imagery, but my spatial imagery is better than many people who do. I can also imagine myself moving my limbs and body, which may be related, but presumably also involves proprioception, and is extremely useful for learning things like tai chi.

I am also aware that some people don’t have an internal monologue, whereas I do, and I can imagine sounds fairly easily. I also have a mental soundtrack, so when my mind isn’t actively engaged in something, it plays music, which most people I have told find surprising. I can’t imagine smells or tastes, and I would be interested to find out if other people have these abilities, or the equivalent in any of the senses beyond the five basic “traditional” ones.

Issue no. 3592 published 25 April 2026

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New ÒÁÈ˾þà events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop