Producing from the Ether or

"Creative Visualization"

Your Evolutionary Advantage

While in the forest one day, I noticed a herd of young cows passing close by. They were walking in perfect single file one behind another. Leading the procession was a cow of the same age and stature as all the others and alike in every respect, except this particular cow had been blessed by Mother Nature with an evolutionary advantage, which set this beast above and beyond the others as leader and ruler of the entire herd. Throughout the forest and pasture land could be seen narrow winding paths where the entire herd stepped one after the other in the footsteps of the leader.

It was this leader that had first place at the feeding trough, the choicest spot in the shade and water hole and the one that was privileged to mate with the cows as perpetuator of the species.

This remarkable evolutionary advantage which made the life of the one so superior to the others was nothing more than a tiny set of horns which the others had failed to develop. With his little horns he was able to nudge out his competitors at the feeding trough, the water hole and contest for mating privileges. And so this slight advantage in the animal kingdom meant not only greater chances for survival but also insured the station of highest esteem and importance, that of leader and ruler of the herd.

As human beings we too have an evolutionary advantage that if developed will insure for us not only a superior life but the privilege to lead and help others. Because man is a creative being, his evolutionary advantage lies in his creative powers. Within man lies the power to solve his every problem as well as satisfy his every desire.

One of the most interesting and amazing facets of man's evolutionary advantage is that which is known as creative visualization. Until recently, knowledge concerning this subject was known only to certain secret orders and occultists. But since the turn of the century scores of books have been written containing knowledge of the mechanics and application of this marvelous power.

Creative visualization is the name given to the process of using one's own creative powers to visualize a concise and accurate mental image, of some particular thing or certain circumstance, with the set purpose of bringing that thing or circumstance into actual physical existence. In layman's terms, using your latent forces to make your dreams come true.

Creative visualization is not to be confused with day dreaming. Day dreaming is the wishful fancy of an idle mind. Creative visualization is the total concentration of the creative powers directed in forming a vivid image of the one thing most desired by the person doing the imaging.

Whether you believe creative visualization works or not does not matter. The fact is you are using creative visualization every second of your waking life. Most persons are not completely satisfied with their lives, yet everything that's in their life that makes them unhappy, was brought into their life through their own mental powers. The creative powers work whether we are aware of them or not. Owing to this fact, many persons without the knowledge of these forces have completely ruined their lives.

As the man who shoots himself with his own gun and curses fate for making such a thing happen, so is the man who blames his luck for keeping him down. There is no luck, only law. No chance, only cause and effect. Creative visualization works as unerringly for the floor sweeper as it does for the corporate President; as well for the dish washer as it does for the inventor.

It is sad but true, that in most persons, the evolutionary advantage becomes their disadvantage. It is too bad there is no fate or chance. Fate would never be as cruel as many persons have been to themselves.

The most concise explanation of the mechanics of Creative Visualization was given in 1915 by Wallace D. Wattles in The Science of Getting Rich. He states the mechanics thusly, "There is a thinking Substance from which all things are made, and which in its original state, permeates, penetrates and fills the interspaces of the universe. A thought, in this substance, produces the thing that is imaged by the thought.

Man can form things in his thought, and, by impressing his thought upon formless substance, can cause the thing he thinks about to be created.

In order to do this, man must pass from the competitive to the creative mind; he must form a clear mental picture of the thing he wants, and hold this picture in his thoughts with the fixed PURPOSE to get what he wants, and the unwavering FAITH that he does get what he wants, closing his mind against all that may tend to shake his purpose, dim his vision, or quench his faith."

As we saw in a previous lesson, everything that appears in the universe had its origin in Mind. There is a universal mentative energy, which Wattles refers to as "thinking substance." It appears that this substance is molded, shaped and formed according to the will of the Infinite Mind that functions through it. Creation of all things physical seems to be a composite process of three principles--Mind, Energy, and Matter. All of which are seen to proceed or emanate from some Absolute, Unknowable Form of Reality.

The purpose of this lesson is to show that this higher form of Reality is the Home Land of the "I" and that as each "I" is a conscious center in the Absolute, it has at its command these lower principles known as Mind, Energy and Matter. In shorter form, because you have life, you have the power to have it ALL!

There is one Mind behind all the changing phenomenon of the cosmos, there is one substance of which all physical things are composed, the Intelligent Energy Substance of the Absolute. The mind of man is but a minute portion of this Cosmic Substance. He possesses the exact same properties and power as the Infinite Spirit Mind only in lesser degree. A molecule of water possesses the same properties as the ocean from which it came.

The faculty of conscious ideation is a wonderful creative power, through it Man is co-creator with The Infinite. Whatever you form clearly in the mind and have faith in will become substantial. As the Absolute creates on an infinite scale, Man creates on a finite scale.

By its action upon Mind-Substance, the desires and mental images that predominate in our mind, become concrete, outward realities, visible to the physical eye. "That is how ALL THINGS which we are able to see, touch and otherwise outwardly sense in this world have come into outward existence either in a universalized or individualized sense." (Ophiel--The Art and Science of Acquiring Material Things Through Creative Visualization)

The images we hold steadfastly in our minds over the years are not illusions; they are the patterns by which we are able to mold our destinies. "It is a proven scientific fact that you grow into the likeness of that upon which you meditate."

The fact that thoughts are forces, and that through them WE HAVE CREATIVE POWER, is one of the most vital facts of the universe, the most vital fact of mans being. And through this instrumentality, we have in our grasp and as our rightful heritage, the power of making life and all its manifold conditions exactly what we will.

Through our thought-forces we have creative power, not in a figurative sense, but in reality. Everything in the material universe about us had its origin first in Spirit, in thought, and from this it took its form. The very world in which we live, with all its manifold wonders and sublime manifestations, is the result of the energies of the Divine Intelligence or Mind,--God, or whatever term it is convenient to use.

"Each individual life is part of, and hence is one with The Infinite Life; and the highest intelligence and power belongs to each in just the degree that he recognizes his oneness and lays claim to and uses it." (R. W. Trine--In Tune With the Infinite 1896)

William W. Atkinson writing in 1911 in his book, The Mastery of Being, gave the essence teaching of mans creative powers. "Man," he said, "is the expression of Spirit." Spirit is imminent in him in its totality. Man may express as much of the Creative Power of Spirit as he is capable of focusing and manifesting in conscious realization. Man is a miniature edition of Spirit. He is the microcosm to the macrocosm of Spirit. The law of Spirit is also the law of man's mentality. What Spirit does on an infinite scale man may do on the finite scale.

Man, when he understands his Spiritual nature and possibilities, may direct the inner activities of Spirit along his own lines. He may do this through and by reason of the Ideative Powers of his Mind. Building up ideals and mental forms in his mind, and allowing the Will to flow in and through these, man is able to materialize his ideals and mental pictures in objective and material form. He thus becomes a miniature world builder, for every man's world is his individual universe. When man understands this, he is no longer the slave of circumstances, but becomes a Creative Master of Circumstances.

"The Master Key to the science of Creative Thought is given here in a few lines: MANIFEST BY IDEATION AND VOLITION--BY MENTAL IMAGES AND WILL--THE CREATIVE SPIRITUAL POWER WHICH IS IMMINENT IN YOU BY REASON OF YOUR IDENTITY WITH SPIRIT."

"As it is in the Macrocosm, so it is in the Microcosm." "As above, so below." The Universe is a living idea in the Mind of God! Man is a creative center of consciousness in this mind. The Life Spirit of man is none other than the outer surface expression of the Source of all Life. As the Universal Spirit builds all the beautiful and varied phenomena by conscious ideation, so may the same Spirit in man create whatever the center of consciousness can mentally create and hold clearly and firmly in mind.

You are expressing in your objective experience exactly what you are holding within. Life is a state of consciousness. What you are and where you are reflect exactly what you have in your consciousness. What ever you believe becomes. What ever you think, in time you express.

Matter is an extension of Mind, or Spirit in form. Consciousness exists through out the Universe and beyond. This Thinking Substance is labeled the Ether, or Spirit, or God. Your life is an expression of this consciousness. This Universal Mind substance is the material with which you mold and create your mental images. Whatever you create in your mental world actually exists. If it did not exist you could not see it with your minds eye. Everything exists first in the realm of the Mental or unseen and then later is brought into objective existence. It may be helpful for you to imagine your mental images as the mold into which the Universal Energy is poured, in the form of atoms.

Creative visualization is an actual fact. Every great or successful person has used it either consciously or unconsciously. If you wish to be great or successful you must develop this power of mental imagery.

The art and practice of creative visualization constitutes an entire study and we can not cover it fully in one lesson. We will, however, relate to the reader the basic mechanics so that he might begin now to apply the fundamental phases of this wonderful power. We wish to remind you that we can also tell you the mechanics of swimming, but until you jump into the water and actually swim, the mechanics are just so much useless knowledge.

The first most important requirement in bringing your mental pictures into actual existence is the same as in impressing the sub-conscious mind. You must believe that your mental picture is real and exists now. You should think, act and feel as though you were already in possession of the thing or position you desire. You must act efficiently in every act to bring your self into position to accept objects of your desires when it is brought to you. You must give thanks continuously to the higher powers for making your dreams realities.

But before your visions can become realities, you must have a clear image of the one thing or circumstance you desire most. When we say that you should have a clear mental image of your desire, we do not mean merely an empty meaningless picture of a house or boat or some other object. If it is a house you desire, then start now laying the foundation in your mind, see it being built brick by brick. Your mental image must be so real to you that you can walk up to your mental house and feel the door knob as you turn it and feel the door squeak as you open it. As you walk in, smell the fresh paint, feel the soft plush carpet beneath your feet. Walk about to each of the rooms, sit on the furniture, go to the refrigerator and have something to eat. Go to the bedroom and lie on the big soft bed and think of the wonderful sense of well being that you feel deep inside. Then reverently and earnestly give thanks to the higher powers for the possession of your new home. By visualizing your goal intensely you not only increase your desire force but also your powers of concentration and mental imagery.

As Henry T. Hamblin has said, "Everything is first created in the unseen before it is made manifest in the seen. Whatever you create in your mental world by means of visualizing will be manifested in the outer physical world. The outer world of matter is subservient to the inner world of mind."

Many authorities recommend the use of what is known as a Treasure Chart. A Treasure Chart consists of very vivid pictures of the things you desire most, mounted on a piece of card board and placed in a location where it will be seen frequently. The purpose being to arouse and stimulate desire power so as to stir the person to action. Also to impress upon the sub-conscious mind the goals which one wishes to obtain.

To construct and use a treasure chart, find the best picture that you can find that portrays your exact desire. Either mount it on cardboard or pin it to the wall where it will be seen most frequently. If you desire a sail boat for instance, find the picture that resembles the boat you want in a magazine or such, remove it and put it some place like the bathroom mirror. As many times a day as possible, contemplate this picture. Allow the feelings of desire to be fanned like a flame. Desire is the fire that generates the steam of the will! Refer to this picture time and time again until you can see it in your minds eye so clearly that you can make out the most tiny details of your image.

This method is very effective in bringing you and your goal together, because it not only increases the desire and will force of a person, but it also sets the higher powers into action in the obtainment of your goal.

It is not the purpose of life to see how much we can indulge in or how much material possessions we can acquire, but how much we can grow. Every man is entitled to all that he needs to aid him in his growth and development. All the greatest joys that life has to offer are meant for you to experience. If the universe could communicate one word to you, it would be ENJOY! If you are not enjoying life 100%, then it is not the fault of life, fate, luck or circumstance. It is because YOU are doing something wrong.

It is from the natural path that you have strayed (or been led astray), and it is to the natural course you must return to live life to the fullest. What do we mean when we say "Natural Path?" By the natural path, we mean to be able to obtain a degree of mastery of the forces in your life, so that at any given moment you can do whatever you want to do because you know it's the right thing to do. To be able to respond freely to the guidance and promptings of the Higher Self is to follow the Natural Path.

The evolutionary force is always striving to make you greater than what you are. You may best facilitate this process by setting the mind free and allowing it to do what it does best naturally, EVOLVE!

The mind is the instrument through which the "I" is enabled to think. It is a Universal Principle that the "I" uses. The "I" gathers unto itself experience through the use of the mind or Mental Principal. Man may lay hold of and use as much of this mentative energy as he has trained himself to handle.

Because the mentality that animates man's brain is a Universal Principle, man's mind is potentially unlimited. The only limitations are the control and degree of development of his mental faculties.

Once man has come to realize his dominion over the mind instead of the mind over him, he is ready to apply these omnipotent powers in mastering life and circumstance, and rising superior to the environment, as well as living the exact life he desires. And how will all this be accomplished? Through the creative power inherent within all centers of life, mind, consciousness and volitionary power, that have evolved to the point where they understand themselves as the Controller and Creator, of their own mental world, as well as their outer material world. This is the conscious and intelligent application of one's own powers of Creative Visualization.

Here are some simple instructions in the activation and application of your Powers of Creative Visualization...

1. Because you naturally grow into the likeness of that upon which you meditate, it behooves you to begin meditating upon the highest image that you can conceive. Always see yourself as triumphant, successful, victorious, strong, healthy, happy, prosperous and living in abundance and profusion.

2. Persevere until you can see vividly and clearly the ideal image of your ideal self. A strong, healthy, vigorous you, living life to the fullest, with neither lack nor limitation.

3. Once the mental image is clearly formed, spend as much time as you possibly can dwelling upon this vision.

4. Reinforce your mental imagery with affirmations of a similar nature. For instance, if you are visualizing yourself as a strong, healthy, successful and prosperous individual. At the time of your visualization and whenever you have the opportunity, affirm to yourself, "I am strong, healthy and successful. For me there is no lack or limitation, for I partake of an Infinite Power. The Abundant Life and Riches I desire exist now; they only wait for me to appropriate them."

5. Don't simply repeat the words. The words themselves are meaningless. It's the feelings that they arouse that give force to your visualization.

The fact that you can create a vision of a higher self is proof that it can be realized. Remember you grow into the likeness of that upon which you dwell. The more time you spend contemplating the vision of your higher self, the more you are doing to better yourself. The more time you spend in developing yourself, the more you are doing to make it a better world.

The wonderful effects that dwelling on the perfect image of the Higher Life will have on you can never be emphasized too strongly. In moments of stress or confusion you will find that by centering your attention on your perfect image, you gain a perfect mental calm and contented sense of well being. The thought forces that are generated by you when in this state will be felt by others and will have a positive effect on them.

It is hoped that this brief synopsis of the wonderful powers of creative visualization have stirred an interest which will cause you to pursue the matter in greater detail. The life that lies before the seeker of truth is one of great joy, success, satisfaction, and constant discovery. At the present time, you have no conception of the marvelous life of ultimate satisfaction that lies before you. When you have entered upon the path of attainment by awakening the mighty powers within through conscious realization of your oneness with Ultimate Reality and by scientific thought control and creative visualization, you will realize that there is a large gulf between your world of inner experience and the world of verbal symbols. To describe the joy of your new life is impossible.

"Remember always that nothing can be wrong except your own personal attitude." Make that right and all else will be seen in its true perspective. Ignore that which you can not like and dwell on that which you do like. Keep thinking, keep reading, keep affirming, keep visualizing, keep giving thanks, keep on straight ahead, keep winning. The life of attainment and success that you wish for is already yours!