In his masterwork, New Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton (p154) writes:
“It is faith and not imagination that gives us supernatural life, faith that justifies us, faith that leads to contemplation … Imagination only enters into it accidentally. If you need to use your imagination in order to remind yourself of the Christ in whom you believe, go ahead and use it. But if you can exercise your faith in him without the bother of always conjuring up some picture of him, so much the better: your faith will be simpler and purer.”
As with all Christian practice, trust is far more important than technique, and who you are orientated towards is far more important than what path you follow.
Curious Christian 