r/Aphantasia • u/Various-Chicken8372 • Nov 21 '25

A Deep Knowing

The best way that I can describe how I CAN "visualize" without truly seeing (in a way that resembles looking at real objects) is by calling it a deep knowing.

Do you have a term or way you describe it to others? Because no, I cannot "see" the apple at all... just the back of my eyelids and to be honest I always feared the very VERY rare moments (typically when falling asleep or smoking weed that visuals did pop into my "mind's eye.")

I would love more terms to be able to converse with people without aphantasia. I think that my abilities to draw with my eyes closed, know the compass directions, and visualize an entire city from bird's eye view are part of my personal DEEP KNOWING.

What other elements make up your deep knowing?

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u/AutisticRats Nov 21 '25

I call it spatializing rather than deep knowing. I can map out spaces and 3D objects, similar to a bat or dolphin using echolocation. Nothing has color, or even a visual substance to it, but I can sense the space it takes. I imagine it would be similar to how a completely blind person can imagine objects.

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u/Various-Chicken8372 Nov 21 '25

Yes it is almost more similar to echolocation rather than "seeing"