Visualization

On March 3, 2010, I sent John Van Auken the following question:

I hope you can help me understand this reading I came across. It has me a little puzzled and disturbed, but maybe I just don't understand it fully.

Reading 705-2 1/27/35

(Q)[683]: To bring a desired THING or CONDITION into manifestation, is it advisable to visualize it by making a PICTURE or just to hold the idea in prayer and let God produce it in His own way without our making a pattern?

(A) The pattern is given thee in the mount. The MOUNT is within thine inner self. To visualize by picturing is to BECOME idol worshipers. Is this pleasing, with thy conception of thy God that has given, "Have no other gods before me"? The God in self, the God of the universe, then, meets thee in thine inner self. Be patient, and leave it with Him. He knoweth that thou has need of before ye ask. Visualizing is telling Him how it must look when you have received it. Is that thy conception of the All-Wise, All-Merciful Creator? Then, let rather thy service ever be, "Not my will, O God, but Thine be done in me, through me." For all is His. Then, think like it - and, most of all, act like it is.

I don't understand the reference to the "mount." More than that, is this saying I should not visualize an outcome? If I have a relative with cancer, should I not pray and visualize that person being cancer-free? Could it be that I should just not visualize a material outcome in others because it may be going against their will? Can I visualize my sore knee becoming well? It seems a lot of healing involves a belief of becoming well and some of that could be through visualization. I've read many of your articles on meditation. I often visualize a flow of energy moving through my chakras.

An answer to my question was published in the Fall 2010 Venture Inward Newsletter, by John:

As the disciple Paul wrote, "We see though a glass darkly" (I Corinthians 13:12), not clearly, as we often assume. And though our intentions may be the best and we only seek to visualize the best, we don't always have the "big picture" of an incarnate soul--its karma, its tests, or God's plan for the soul. "God the Father has not willed that any soul should perish but has with every temptation prepared a way of escape." (949-11) Therefore, it is best that we raise our hearts and minds up to God and then in love and patient prayer allow God's Spirit to flow through us. As Cayce pointed out, souls often learn more and grow wiser and stronger when they are challenged, even Jesus: "Though he was the Son, learned He obedience by the things which He suffered." (900-232) The "mount" is physically a reference to our crown chakra, the mount of our body temple, where God has promised to meet us. Mentally it is a reference to a state of consciousness in which we enter the Holy of Holies in our consciousness and meet God as face-to-face, as Moses did. (262-37)
The meditative technique of using the "imaginative forces" is different from visualizing an outcome.

A.R.E. Meeting for 08/30/10

Leader: Martinaya
Reader: Cindi

We started the chapter on "Spirit," and are in the section "God's Projection." We should start with the fifth paragraph that begins "In the early days spiritual beings..."

The experiment this week is:

Remember each day that growth toward God can happen in whatever state or mood you find yourself. When you feel down, revise your expectations for yourself. Keep your efforts pointed in the direction of your idea, but take smaller steps.

A.R.E. Meeting for 08/23/10

Leader: Martinaya
Reader: Eric

We finished the chapter on "Happiness." Next week we will start the chapter on "Spirit"

The experiment this week is:

Observe the moments in which you let the turmoils and uneasiness of these times get to you. It may be the hectic pace or the continual state of things changing. Whenever you begin to feel troubled or tense that certain things may be blocked which you feel you need to get done, then use the affirmation: "If God needs me to get this thing done, He will provide the means." Let the affirmation lift you to a new attitude of faith, trust, and happiness about your life.

A.R.E. Meeting for 08/16/10

Leader: Martinaya
Reader: Sylvia

We started the chapter on "Happiness," and read two sections. Next week we will start the section "When Are We Happy?"

The experiment this week is:

Bring God into the happy moments of your life. During the day, when you have periods of feeling happy, remember the role that God is always playing in your life. With this recognition and remembrance, or with the words of a short prayer, be thankful.

How to Make a Castor Oil Pack

A.R.E. Meeting for 08/09/10

Leader: Martinaya
Reader: Greg

We finished the chapter on "Wisdom," and next week we will start the chapter on "Happiness."

The experiment this week is:

At least for one day go through the whole day without speaking unkindly of anyone. When you feel tempted to speak unkindly about a shortcoming of someone, remember that it is not up to you to make that person face up to himself. You may be right--that fault may be there. Instead, remember your sincere desire to see that person be whole and healed. Act or speak out of wisdom in such a way that it helps bring to the surface that person's wholeness.

A.R.E. Meeting for 08/02/10

Leader: Martinaya
Reader: Nancy

We started the chapter on "Wisdom," and read two sections. Next week we will start the section "Let Us Examine Ourselves."

The experiment this week is:

With your thoughts bring God and your spiritual ideal into one area which you may have thought was too trivial or too human for His concern. One way to do this is simply to have short periods of prayer while you are involved in that activity.

The Edgar Cayce Approach to Depression

This video segment is excerpted from a lecture given by David McMillin at the Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE) in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 16, 2001. It explores the Edgar Cayce approach to depression, which Cayce described as pathology within the nervous system. However, Cayce went well beyone the biological dimension of depression to also include the mental and spiritual factores involved in this common malady.