True visualization is a spiritual attribute and is not merely “wishful thinking.”  All things visible begin first, in Plato’s words, “as an idea in the mind of God.”

True disciplined, conscious visualization is one of the most powerful means of bringing one’s wishes and desires into physical, tangible manifestation.

You can learn about this discipline from many sources.  To me, the clearest description is given in Ascended Master teachings, which can be studied in detail via the works of Madam Blavatsky (Theosophy), Alice Bailey, Mark & Elizabeth Clare Prophet’s Summit University Press books, and the works of Godfre Ray King.

The method I refer to, here, is from King’s classic work, Unveiled Mysteries ( Saint Germain Press, 1939, Third Edition):

Step 1:  Develop  a very clear, detailed idea of a definite plan or desire to be fulfilled.

And, be absolutely certain before going any farther that your desire is honorable, constructive, worthy of your time and effort, and harmless to every part of creation.  Also, be sure that your motive is honest–toward yourself and the rest of the world. Be sure there is not the  slightest unspoken feeling that you would be “okay” to benefit at the expense of another.  For, if you do, the results will be far from what you desire, and the Law of Karma will take over.

Step 2: Write your plans out with as much clarity and detail as possible.

Step 3:  Close your eyes and “see” within your mind a mental picture of your desire and plan in its completed, perfect form and activity.  FEEL the emotions attached to it.

Step 4:  Read your written words as many times during the day as possible and, especially, just before you go to sleep at night.

Step 5:  Do not discuss your desire or the fact that you are visualizing with anyone. Do not even talk out-loud to yourself about it.  To do so significantly weakens and diminishes the level of energy generated by your visualization.

Step 6:  Do not allow any thoughts or emotions of fear and doubt to touch your pure-intentioned visualization.  These are simply emanations of the human brain and psychology.  Replace these at once with the conscious acknowledgement and decree that your soul– your Self–is One with God.

Finally, let go of any expectation or demand of a set time at which results must come to fruition.  “Time” is nothing more than a tool used to order things in the material realm.  In Spirit, there is only NOW–the Eternal Present.  And, as you know, your true Essence is Spirit, not matter.

If you decide to try this, let us know what happens!  We are all here to help one another…

One of the most powerful barriers to living a spiritually centered and peaceful life is the unwillingness to forgive one’s self and others.

We’ve all done things, said things, or acted in ways we’ve later come to regret.  And, we’ve all had to suffer through and come to grips with negative, hurtful things done to, said about, or inflicted upon us by others.

There is nothing positive to be gained from hanging-on to residual regrets or self-recrimination. Once realized, the only actions we can take to correct our misdeeds are: apologize to the one we’ve hurt; try to make amends; or, if our actions included gossip, slander, or half-truths which damaged another’s reputation, acknowledge and correct these words in a public way.  Every great spiritual teacher reminds us that psychic assassination is every bit as devastating as physical murder–both to the victim and to the soul of the perpetrator–and that justice WILL be served, either through the corrective actions of the offender or by way of the exact and perfect Law of Karma.

Where forgiving others is concerned, I’ve always found the platitude, “Forgive and Forget,” to be both ridiculous and impossible.  While we can repress, deny, or try to ignore hurtful things done to us, to “forget” them is unnatural and, probably, impossible–unless you suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Further, what does “forgive” really mean? Colloquially, it seems to imply that we simply excuse another for the harm they have caused. To me, that always seemed wrong: It ignored accountability and justice and condoned deliberate acts of cruelty.

But, after giving the subject careful thought, I’ve come to see forgiveness as a decision and an act of personal power.

To forgive literally means that you grant pardon to the offender and cancel a debt or obligation incurred to you by another. To pardon is to release another from liability for an offence.  And, not one of these terms implies absolution from guilt.

The abuser must experience the effects of his every offence against life: This is the impersonal, infallible Law of Karma.  However, you do not have to be the one to mete these experiences out. By taking this upon yourself, you lock yourself into a relationship of resentment and bring yourself down to the level of your offender.  If you determine to “get even,” or act in kind, you, too, will have to experience the effects of your actions.

When you come to understand and accept the impartial law of cause and effect, you will be able to walk away from relationships that are hurtful with complete confidence that your offender will meet his karmic fate.  And, your decision to allow that fate to be resolved without your involvement will free you from any further obligation or attachment to that soul.

You will then be free to step out of the role of “victim” and to claim the power of one who has made the decision to forgive.  This, in turn, will enable you to resume–with clarity and spiritual/ psychological freedom– the fulfillment of your unique purpose for BEING in the world.

In today’s world it is a real challenge to remain centered, calm, in possession of Self, in touch and in harmony with God.  Yet, this is what we must strive for and hold as our number one priority if we want to make spiritual progress and attain self-mastery.

Throughout history humanity’s greatest teachers have been those who knew how to hold themselves “apart” from the noisy clamor of society and keep counsel with their Higher Self.  One way to do this is through regular contact and communion with the natural world.

Children are instinctively drawn to nature, as are geniuses, philosophers, artists, and holy men and women.  Nigel Calder tells us in Einstein’s Universe that this genius “wondered with an intense, child-like curiosity about the workings of nature and had a very good intuition concerning them…”  Albert Schweitzer’s active philosophy of reverence for all life took root in childhood when he and his mother used to wander for hours through the mountains, woods, and lake country of Alsace.  Jesus went into the wilderness and Moses to the mountaintop to commune with God.  Gautama Buddha experienced his “Great Enlightenment” while sitting under a Bo tree.

As for the rest of us, we tend to grow up and grow away from nature.  We work in an office; shop in a mall; relax in front of the television or computer; and worship in a church, mosque, or synagogue.  In the modern world, being in nature isn’t “natural” at all.  It takes planning and effort and travel and time–just to get there.

Although we are spiritual beings, we possess physical bodies and brains that are programmed to be acutely attentive to all that is happening around us–programmed for “fight or flight.” Being in the natural world can help us to still and purify our five senses so that they are able to receive and know.

A simple walk in the park, woods, or along the shore can help us to clear our minds and purify our senses. You’ll need to leave your headphones at home, though; and, the best walking companion around is your dog.  Animals are great teachers.  Being with and observing how they interact with their surroundings helps us to shift our attention to the present moment and to experience life with the same intense awareness as we did when we were children.

The natural world is instructive.  It prompts us to question and helps us to understand spiritual truths, natural laws, and our place in the scheme of things.  It is symbolic.  And, once we discover the deeper meanings inherent in its symbolism, we discover something about its Creator, as well.

Nature’s cycles provide us with a sense of security, hopefulness, and optimism: light always follows darkness; warm, luxurious springs push through cold, barren winters; radiant rainbows appear after the worst storms; and regeneration, in some form, follows even the most devastating of natural disasters.

As human beings we are a marriage of both matter and spirit; and, if we are to fulfill what many believe to be our highest calling–Self-actualization and reunion with God–we must come to know both sides of our self, intimately.  We need to go into and through that part of our being which is one with the natural world to meet that part which is one with the spiritual world.  While angels might minister to our souls; the beauty, harmony, purity, and vitalism of nature can minister to our bodies, minds, and emotions every single day.  We just have to be there.