Imagine Part 2

December 21, 2024

​​​​​Imagine Part 2

In anticipation of what's to come, we entertain thoughts, visualizations, and feelings. This is a normal psychological process. For example, if we are excited about a high school reunion, we may anticipate or "pre-live" it by picturing the event's setting, people, and activities. This is referred to as imaginal anticipation, which is not only a process of visualizing; it includes having thoughts and feelings. By anticipating a wonderful event, we experience it in all three centers, even before it happens. 

Negative things can also be the subjects of imaginal anticipation. For example, if we anticipate a difficult conversation with someone, we may imagine various scenarios in our mind's eye. And we actually think the thoughts and have the feelings we anticipate. These imaginal anticipations are our way of bracing for any eventuality. 

The more intense our ego fixation, our imagination is dominated by the ego's narrative, fears, and desires. In this condition, we imagine everything egocentrically— all that happens is focused on ourselves, our needs, wants, and fears. Each of the nine types has its own fixation, the lens through which reality is perceived.

On the other hand, the more we live in our soulality, the less our ego's interpretation of reality affects us. In soul consciousness, imaginal anticipation is filtered through the lens of our higher self, taking precedence over our ego. In our soulality, we are more conscious; things aren't focused entirely on ourselves but on the broader context of everyone concerned. Empathy and Compassion are two primary soul qualities by which life is interpreted by the unencumbered soul.

Our imaginations can inflate our unhealthy egos with unrealistic positive anticipations. They can also paint fearful and negative mental pictures of what will debilitate or even harm us. But when the ego is transformed to serve the soul, it aids the soul in looking at reality and others with love. 

Spiritual practice: If there is something you have negative imaginal anticipations of, try imagining it from the perspective of your Holy Idea. What happens? 

Self-inquiry: What is the largest encumbrance of your soul?  

Dear God,

I pray to imagine with love. Amen