Vision as a Spiritual Practice

­­­­­­Vision as a Spiritual Practice

PRACTICE

52 Weeks of Spiritual Practice

By Deborah Williams

The purpose of the 52 Principles is to develop a partnership, a connection with God. Connecting with God is why we are here; the soul’s desire. To be in communication with the Creator is ideally the most fulfilling life, our best life. The intent of the 52 Principles is God-realization through daily practice. Practice the principles with frequency and find God-consciousness through your own efforts. This week’s spiritual principle is Vision.

Vision comes from within – not what we experience from the five senses – vision is a deeper awareness. Prophetic visions were messages sanctioned by God and served a Divine purpose, and revealed future events. We are advised that our God “will pour out His Spirit; and our sons and our daughters will prophesy, our old men will have dreams, our young men will see visions” (Joel 2:28). Have an expectation of God’s Divine favor for the present and future.

The Kingdom of God is the highest vision for mankind. God provides for the plants and animals in nature (Matthew 6:28), and He blessed us with the ability to think, create, fellowship with Him, and endowed us with the awareness of a higher vision. We are counseled to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things will be given to us” (Matthew 6:33). We can experience God, our Creator via thought to mind to heart to soul. In addition we can connect to God in nature and through others by practicing spiritual principles. God is always available to us, and is as close to us as our breath.

Our vision is the promise of our future ideal. We build our future in the present moment and our present actions link to our future aspirations. We can all create a better life through a vision. Your vision is specific to you. Have a vision of yourself as successful, patient, tolerant – practice until you reach your ideal. There is no boredom, only enthusiasm for the future. Do not allow others to create your vision – create your own. Choose the ideal vs the egotistical vision. Ego is the “I” only; choose the good of all – not just for you. Do not reduce the scope of your vision because someone does not know or understand the vision – it is yours – between you and God. Vision is pure possibility beyond your norm. Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he who keeps the law of God, is blessed, happy, fortunate, and privileged (Proverbs 29:18). Have a great expectation and keep your vision constantly in mind.

Vision Practices

• Family vision: In weekly or monthly family meetings, take the opportunity to discuss the vision for  the family with full participation of each family member. Select a specific theme, with each family member making concrete contributions. The family’s visions can come to fruition when all members are viewed as stakeholders. Family visioning creates a sense of oneness and cohesiveness within the family.
• Create a vision board and review it often.
• Take five minutes each day and make a concrete intention toward your vision.

Self- Assessment
 

What is your vision for self, family, community, and world?
Are there others who benefit from your vision?

Does your vision involve God’s Divine purpose?

What is the promise for the future? Do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19)

What is your vision for seeing God in everyone; more compassion, more love, less anger?

Do you live as if God really matters?

What percentage of your attention per day do you give to your vision?

Where are you on your spiritual journey and what do you want to achieve spiritually in the next six months?

What is your ideal scene and can you trust that your vision is reachable?

Enlarge your vision; see the end at the beginning. Your vision is a promise of your ideal of the future; reach higher. Develop a natural sense of passion, forgiveness, and love for your vision – this is the soul’s journey.

What does your vision look like for yourself and family, and does it include God?  Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Many Blessings