The Realization Process- Visioning

Recently I've made a conscious effort to catch up with friends and colleagues and to introduce myself to a wider circle of new people. As a result a few weeks ago I attended an evening networking meeting at a nearby church.  Networking is really a discussion in commonality where strangers openly share their plans and listen to the aspirations of others. Together they look for common elements, companies, opportunities that may be helpful during job search. The people I have met are genuinely interested in sharing contacts and strategies to help each other.

I met Judy at a networking meeting. She had recently left her work position and was beginning her search for a new opportunity.  She no longer wanted to use her skills in the old way, she was ready to apply them and learn skills in a new area. She wasn't sure of the next step but she was clear that she was done with her old role.

As the meeting was winding down I suggested to Judy to consider this question, 'What is God's idea for greater expansion of my work?'  It's a question designed to support the identification of a higher purpose in work and to move from uncertainty to clarity in what's next. Although there are many church denominations and dogma may make them seem separated, the fundamental Truth is that the Universe wants every individual to flourish. You see it in nature all the time.  Trees crowd each other reaching for sunlight, vines crawl up a wall, thousands of acorns drop from a single tree. You can also see it in individuals, companies and groups. An idea carefully formed wants to grow larger and expand.  My question to Judy came from the Visioning Process (highlighted here) which is a great tool for individuals and groups to open up their mind to a greater idea and greater potential in any area of life. It honors the connection we have with a bigger intelligence and recognizes the insight that comes when you listen.

The next steps after Visioning become more clear day by day until you know it's time to move ideas to plans and action. It is part of the Realization Process...of how ideas come into physical form. I saw Judy again this week at different meeting and will post more on 'the search' and the application of Visioning in future posts. In closing, what is your answer to 'What is God's idea for greater expansion of my work?'

The Idea of Transcendence

Observing life exemplified through children, groups in discussion, love and nature I am reminded of the infinite capability, the transcendence of Spirit into every day activity. It might be during a conversation while drinking coffee with a friend, or as simple as when I get a thoughtful text message from one of my sons that I experience a sense of awe, greater awareness and / or satisfaction and I don't know how else to describe it. It is as though the infinite swooped in and opened my eyes to witness that which can not be easily described.

In my Christian upbringing no one ever mentioned the idea of transcendence, yet it does exist in the dictionary. Transcendence is a state of being or existence above and beyond the limits of material experience.

I'm teaching a class on 'the realization process',or how things become real or physical. One of the principles in the philosophy is that there is an infinite idea, non personal, that exists only to create. Call it Universe, Spirit, Divine Idea or God. Whatever you choose to call it, there is only one. Thomas Troward,1847-1916, was a judge, artist, writer and speaker who established a framework* on this process. His thoughts go like this. This infinite idea (Universe) makes up all things. Thus the creative power we witness in the Universe is ours. When we nurture our awareness, we can identify our unity with the Universe. Perhaps identification comes through a spiritual practice, a meditation, an experience of nature. Iti s during this time that we can transcend our normal thinking and access this power to create. Now I know that all the ideas don't fit for the totally logic based mind. I know that Troward is articulating a theory built on a set of premises that are subject to challenge...but I can only explain that experience of 'beyond the limits of material existence' as so joyous, so powerful that I then know I can accomplish anything I desire. So, I'm interested to hear about, what are your transcendent experiences? Are you open to see them?

* The Edinburgh Lectures, Thomas Troward, ch 3