Imagination — Gateway to Presence

Folks often ask, “How can I get a direct line to God?” and “How do I know when contact is made?”

But what if that line seems dead when we are down in the dumps or as the ancient mystics named it the “Dark night of the soul”?

In good times and bad, there is one surefire way to ensure connection.

That’s with our imagination.

I was once told that love is an act of the imagination. Of course, that is not just about romantic love that can often be pure need or fantasy.

True love is quite practical. That’s when I generate positive feelings toward my craggy neighbor or the guy that gives me the finger on the freeway.

I’m not talking about toxic positivity (“I’m fine when I’m dying inside”). But something that wells up from my innermost being, from the seat of my divine consciousness.

Imagination is the process wherein we actively develop mental images. Some are fantasies that die on the vine. Other visions are serious intentions based on deep long-standing desires and soul-based impulses. But how do we get there?

The Path is to,

Go Inward

We trigger our imagination by finding ways to drop into our inner world. Often this involves dropping out of our hyper-busy life. This could be through mindful meditation or centering prayer. Or it could be by taking a timeout from our devices.

We go inward when we develop an image of the end state of connection we desire. So ask “What would be in character for Presence in this situation?” or just plain and simple “What would the mind of the universal Christ look like?”

Another surefire way of knowing God is to listen to her voice in our unconscious in dreams. These can be some of our more dramatic inner mystical moments.

Define the end

A statement I use to get to the core of my vision for others or myself is “Imagine a day when”.

I’m currently working on envisioning what my highest state of soul consciousness looks like.

Sound vague and esoteric?

Not really. It’s more like the mini mystical moments that just ‘happen’ when I stare at the leaves of the Cottonwoods shimmering in the sun or I choose to have a kindly rather than a grumpy response.

Want to feel enveloped in love? Try acting consistently as a loving person. It’s really possible because love is at the core of our being.

Surrender

We get caught in the trap of trying too hard when it comes to connecting with the Eternal One. Love is not something that we earn. Love happens. It’s the gift of grace. We do well to adopt the first step from Alcoholics Anonymous “We admitted we were powerless”.

The big issue is that we surrender the illusion of control.

This is where the grubby fingers of the ego hang on for dear life.

“I can’t but God can” is the way back to our true spiritual heritage

Love happens when…

The measure of a connection with the divine is hardly a new version of the Ten Commandments clasped to our chest. Nor is it some supercharged divinely induced buzz.

It’s always our sense of harmony with the Eternal One as seen in oneness and love.