Did You Say Visualization or Visioning?

We know how to picture things based on our past experience. However if we want to expand our thinking into a new direction, there is a meditation, or quiet listening, process that allows new ideas to come forward. Having taught this for a number of years I find that many times it takes students some time to develop comfort in the practice of quiet listening. Here is a listing and brief comparison of the two activities. The two main similarities are a) they both are meditative (or thinking quietly with inward reflection) and b) they both begin with the letters 'Vis'.
Click on the picture to enlarge the comparison

Roadmap to Prosperity- part 1

If I were living in the time of the Babylonians I might use cuneiform wedges to communicate meaning. If I were an ancient polynesian and had no written language I might scrape my communication as a petroglyph in the rocks left after Pele revealed herself in volcanic eruption. But I am neither of those so I continue the human tradition of communicating with graphics by using powerpoint.

Life is a series of activities linked together with meaning; successive present moments tied together with intention, activity and result. While teaching Spiritual Economics (SOM 205), I understand the process better now. We start with now (today) and learn to engage the world with a different point of view. Where we are today is based on our history and what we learned and believed up to this point. Where we go is based on our choices in thoughts and the resulting activities going forward. This class is an 8 week Roadmap to Prosperity as mapped in the diagram below.

This evolution of this process proceeds from left to right. Source, G-d, Spirit provides unlimited supply and our work is to allow that understanding to propagate throughout our thinking and our lives. When we align our thinking to see the abundance and release old ideas of lack, don't have, I-can't and limitation.
You can begin today with a T diagram and do a + / - analysis of where you see fullness and abundance in your thinking and (that's the plus) and identify the times where you see the limitation. As an example, I see the abundance when I walk in nature. It is a reminder of the many forms of expression possible and is visible in the different types of trees, roving animals, shapes of leaves and clouds...just to name a few An example of minus would be this statement, "I have two good friends. Whenever I try to have four or five friends my life fills with drama and I come back to two good friends" or "I make $ x. I can't imagine making two times that much money."
From the T diagram, the work begins in releasing the minus. Affirmations and affirmative prayer are good ways to plant the seeds for a new idea. Understanding your thoughts on faith is critical as well. In the Roadmap (at the top by the word Faith) the Universe and the individual are in the same circle. The dashed line signifies the openness and infiniteness of the Universe. Faith is the knowing that as an individual you are unfolding to recognize yourself as part of that infinite possibility. In faith you release ideas of lack and limitation and see your revealing of alignment to source.
We use imagination techniques to create a mental picture of the life of abundance and prosperity we desire. With visualization you can mentally picture the different elements of your expanded abundant life. What are you doing? Where do you live?  What are you doing for work and enjoyment? Who are you doing it with? By paying attention to what you desire and remembering the feelings of that experience you are painting a picture of what your new experience will be. The other imagination method for is to do a meditation on the question, 'What is my life of prosperity?' After that process make notes on the Vision and the Visualization and let them grow in your mind. Affirm them both for the seeds of prosperity continue to be planted.
In part 2 I will highlight the rest of the picture. It is a Roadmap to Prosperity and your New Spiritual Economy.

Rev. Michael B on Visioning

This week's Huffington Post included an article by Rev. Michael Beckwith on attracting things into your life.

The metaphors and references to magnetism and vibration can be misleading to some audiences but we sense and witness the effect. I enjoyed his summary enclosed in three points-

To accelerate your magnetic frequency and manifest your vision for your life, you must enter the laboratory of your own mind and soul and evolve through three domains:

(first) Discovering, activating, expressing and promoting your gifts, talents and skills, which attunes you to the law of divine right action;

(second) Moving into a deeper spiritual understanding and practice of working with the laws governing the universe through affirmative prayer, Life Visioning, and visualization, which attune you to the law of attraction;

(third) Practicing meditation and surrender at such a depth that you no longer need to attract anything because you live in alignment with the law of radiance which automatically provides all that is required to sustain you and cause you to flourish.

Whisper

On the several "Genius Sails" with friends and family this summer I had the chance to sail, be in conversation and witness sunsets with about 20 different people. Each sail we would establish a rhythm- safety instruction, sails ready, start the engine, and off to sail. That was the routine. Then each sail would take on its own personality. However, the one question most often asked was "What is the name of your boat?" For five years no name really seemed to fit. Boat, the boat, meet me at the boat worked well in communicating everything needed to have a great experience on the water. So the defacto name was 'boat'.

I believe the inner voice speaks and when you are listening this is the guidance, the truth-full substance and direction. Staying aligned with that voice is the key to living a life of integrity- with self and others. I wrote earlier about Visioning. As I have taught it, attended lessons on it and have personally used it the last few weeks I am amazed at what comes up when I ask the question 'what is greater idea of (insert area you are visioning for) in my life?". This week, in recognition of this process, the boat name appeared. Whisper

Visioning, Timing and Force

Teaching the Life Visioning Process, a part of UCSL, ICSL and so well described by its author Rev. Michael Beckwith in "The Life Visioning Process" has sharpened my interest actively listen to what's next, and what is the greatest idea for projects in my life.
I tell my students...the number one idea of using Visioning is to disassociate or separate visioning from 'the to do list'. You will know when it is time to create the list. Just (sometimes a big step) allow it to come into form.

Last week about an hour after completing a Visioning exercise two phrases come to mind. They just came into mind, one after the other. I sat with them for a day to monitor if the idea drifted or diminished. Within 48 hours they seemed right. I believe that each of us has a personal indicator, an internal compass, that brightens whenever we are on a congruent path. One of mine congruency indicators comes as a fast shutter. It is as if a breath of the infinite has swooped in- from mind to emotion to physical. Enough of me trying to describe it. You will have your own indicator.

I used the two phrases to prepare for and to test my work for the week. This led to a week of satisfaction, peace and joy in the preparation and the presentation a new idea. I interpret this as the satisfaction of being personally aligned. The Vision pulled me. The list and the activities came to mind as the Vision unfolded. I am celebrating my amazement and the demonstration of the project.

I encourage you to try Visioning for your life purpose and projects. Aligning passion, purpose and projects is monumental. This works and I am knowing graceful unfolding for each of you.

The Genius Dialog

I'm working on a clearer articulation on individual uniqueness, aura or personal magic. Let me share the process - a silent dialog on genius.
What is genius?  From Emerson's Essay Spiritual Laws--
"A man's genius, the quality that differences him from every other, the susceptibility to one class of influences, the selection of what is fit for him, the rejection of what is unfit, determines for him the character of the universe. A man is a method, a progressive arrangement; a selecting principle, gathering his like to him, wherever he goes." and in Self  Reliance --
"It may be safely trusted as proportionate and of good issues, so it be faithfully imparted, but God will not have his work made manifest by cowards. A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise, shall give him no peace. It is a deliverance which does not deliver. In the attempt his genius deserts him; no muse befriends; no invention, no hope."

Our genius is the expression we do in living or in our our work where we put our heart into the activity and have done our best. It is as a divine pressure or voltage operating through us that wants to deliver an electron flow or current of natural creativity. Genius is the pulse, the squirt of beauty, the magic that is a skill, an approach when you feel a supreme dose of 'Yes!'. In reference to Emerson, genius was the force attempting to come through you- it is unique to you. It is not a statement of an intelligence level or IQ. In the 1840's you would not say, "He is a genius!". Instead you might say, "He expresses his genius in everything he does".

An Exercise To Understand and Reveal Your Genius
Follow these steps in an exercise to explore and recognize your genius. Allow 15-20 minutes, more is fine.

• First, come to a meditative state with music, walking, breath or whatever works for you. Have a pen and pad available for any notes.
• When you feel relaxed ask the question "What is my genius?. Sit in the quiet and listen to what comes as the answer
• Write down the words or images. Ask the question again, "What is my genius?" 
• Continue with this question, "What is my emerging genius?" During our lives we are always developing our skills and recognizing our joys and passion of expression. This meditation recognizes today and allow for greater genius tomorrow.
• From the past, look for things you have expressed or created and see how your genius came through.
• Going forward, whenever you think about a new plan, a new manifestation or creation look to see if it speaks to your genius. 

The genius is a natural or inherent idea, like the spring flowing out of the ground, like the birds flying against the sun setting sky- it pours out, without effort, and in grace. When you are operating from your points of genius you and the world receive all your good. Let this exercise be a natural guidance to the genius that is you.

Synthetic & Creative Imagination

I'm taking a 14 week class based on the book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. In the early 1900's Hill was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie to investigate the characteristics of successful people.  The book is the result of his research. At the beginning each person creates their desire statement which is read twice a day during the 14 weeks. It goes as "I desire ____ dollars to be in my hands by the end of this class, April 6.  I am willing to (do or give up) _________ to receive this.  I intend to possess this money by _____ ". During the week we gather in groups to discuss and support other class members in achieving their desire.

The topic this week is imagination.  I have a rich imagination which shows up as ideas, images, words, phrases, dreams or all of the above.  In classes I teach both two areas of imagination- visualization and visioning. Visualization is the picturing or acting out in the mind an activity or upcoming event.  Visualizations can be guided by a leader or like a baseball player or golfer you can picture yourself  doing the activity as a way of preparing for the event.

In the other method, visioning, one person leads a process of meditation and asks a series of questions designed to reveal more information about the new idea.

With that background I thoroughly enjoyed and understood Napoleon Hill's definitions of imagination. He said, "Our only limitation, within reason, lies in our development and use of our imagination."..."The imaginative faculty functions in two forms. One is known as "synthetic imagination: and the other as 'creative imagination.'"
"Synthetic Imagination: Through this faculty, one may arrange old concepts, ideas, or plans into new combinations.This faculty creates nothing. It merely works with the material of experience, education, and observation with which it is fed."
"Creative Imagination: Through the faculty of creative imagination, the finite mind of man has direct communication with Infinite Intelligence; It is the faculty through which 'hunches' and 'inspirations' are received. It is by this faculty that all basic or new ideas are handed over to man."

So writings from two different eras, describing the same thing. Synthetic Imagination is equivalent to visualizing and reforming the current known order. while Creative Imagination is open at the top.  How do you use your imagination? Using these methods you can enhance and extend your use of imagination...and create new ideas.

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?'