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Keeping The Visualization, 
Nurture the Vision

By Kim Whiting

Even though visualization is at a lower level of consciousness than vision, it is an important spiritual tool because it helps build faith and allows us to witness the power of our consciousness. When we picture a red Jeep and get a red Jeep, we are reassured there is a God and we have creative power in our lives. Of course, visualization comes mostly from ego which decides what situations need to be changed and what we need in order to be happy - such as a red Jeep. There's nothing wrong with getting our desires-it's just that we have to be aware that what we think is really great is ultimately small peanuts compared to what God or our higher consciousness has in mind for us. I am filled with positive thoughts of great and noble deeds, dreams of uplifting others, visions of a better life and a better world. And the key word in that sentence is "filled." No matter how positive my thoughts, how lofty my dreams, when I am filled with what I think I desire, there is little room for what I truly desire-what God desires for me. Visualization is definitely a spiritual "tool." It allows us to chisel away at the parts of our lives we don't like and build a life we would like.

Visioning is in the "Through me" level of consciousness. In visioning we empty our minds-even of what we think is the "really good" stuff-and allow Spirit to enter. What people often receive in visioning is something that seems impossible and completely beyond reach, and this is a good indication God is truly the source of the vision, because what God knows is possible is often far beyond what we would dream possible.

The key to vision is to keep the mind open and to nurture the vision. The difference between "keeping" and "nurturing" can be shown in the following outline adapted from Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith, minister and vision leader at Agape Church of Religious Science in Los Angeles.

The Visioning Process

The Group Setting

You may want to light candles and/or incense and play soothing music. Reassure the group that visions don't only come as a visual, but may be heard, felt, or merely sensed. It is also important to let the group know that not everyone consciously receives visions, and like dreams, visions can sometimes be difficult to interpret...the trick is to avoid interpreting them and simply let them be.

Step 1. Center in Spirit; spend time in silence and establish an awareness of God. Talk about our oneness with God and our co-creative power.

Step 2. Set the foundation in unconditional love. You might want to ask that the group let unconditional love of God clear the way for a strong communion with God.

Step 3. Open to the vision. Ask several questions such as "What is God's idea of your life?" What does it look like, feel like, sound like?" "What is the most magnificent expression of God through you?" "What is God's most miraculous and divine dream for you?" Give the group silent time to receive their vision.

Step 4. For the vision to manifest, we must embody it - become it. Therefore, we now ask questions such as, "How must you grow spiritually in order to embody this vision?" "What is your spiritual work?" What is your role in this vision?" "How do you fit into this vision?" "What must you let go of to fully embrace this vision?" Give the group silent time to receive answers to these questions.

Step 5. Commit to the vision, commit to becoming the vision, commit to growing spiritually. In order to manifest a vision we must be willing to accept great change in ourselves and our lives. We must also be committed to living with a quiet and open mind that accepts each moment and situation (even the challenging ones) as an important part of the big picture.

Step 6. Sharing the vision with the group. Invite the group to share what they saw, felt, sensed or heard.

Step 7. (optional) food or beverage fellowship

That's it! That's all there is to it. It's a simple guided meditation outline, yet-so powerful. Of course, there are infinite ways to talk the group through the visioning process. I encourage you to use "The Force" when leading a visioning process. Let God's words come through you and you will find all that needs to be said will be.

As you share your experiences, you will discover that visions can be tricky things. For one, they don't always happen quickly. In fact, a vision may come to fruition years after we have given up on it. For example, a minister and her church received a specific vision of a certain type of music director, were primed and pumped to write a job description and post it, but held back because they realized that they didn't feel the inspiration to take action. They waited and three years later, long after they had given up on their vision, a man came in and asked for a tour of the church. As he was leaving, he asked if they needed a pianist. The minister said she got goose bumps and knew, without a doubt, he was their long forgotten music director - which he was. This man had all the traits they had envisioned in their music director and more. The point is; visions can take a long time, which can take great faith.