Totally agree with the 'imagine you are stuck on the tail of the needle with a drawing pin so you can pivot, the beacon is in the centre of the instrument'. Once on a steady heading, your imaginary aeroplane is always pointing vertically up the instrument. Draw a picture until you can imagine it.
Works all the time, is actually where you are and is perfect for situational awareness, including more advanced nav techniques. Have always used it for teaching and in real life single pilot IFR flying.
Set the required track on the HSI arrow (even if not tracking with the instrument), then fly to parallel the two arrows. Even if you are on a wind corrected heading, the two arrows will parallell if on track.