The Five Foundational Qualities for
Practicing Life Visioning
by Michael Bernard Beckwith
The Life Visioning Process is an inner technology set in motion by five inherent qualities: intention or willingness, recep- tivity or reverential alertness, acceptance of and surrender to what is revealed, the self-discipline to take action on what is revealed, and gratitude that we already have all that we need to take the next step in our evolution. When we cultivate the five foundational qualities that enhance practice of LVP, we open the door to vitalizing the mind, heart, and consciousness in ways that successfully motivate us to accelerate and accept the new into our life.
Before we begin our exploration of the five foundational qualities, I want to emphasize that it is important not to tense-up or constrict the heart when we find ourselves coming up short in certain areas. It is the ego that tends to obsess over the myth of perfection, not the heart or inner spirit. It’s worth repeating that the main point is to start right where you are, confident that you are not alone in your journey, that you are accompa- nied by an Ineffable Presence called grace. Trusting in this grace loosens our tight grip on the ego. Trust is embedded in our neurons and gives us the fortitude and courage we may not have realized
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is already ours. So despite the projec- tions and judgments you may cast upon yourself, just take it all to the altar of your inner practice and know that grace is a constant companion throughout your evolutionary journey.
The Potency of a Willing Intention In some circles, setting one’s intention has come to be accepted as the means for attracting the people and acquiring the things that we are convinced will make us happy. It is as if intention alone wills our every desire into manifestation. The question is, are we setting into mo- tion a vision that represents our highest good? When we are willing to sit with ourselves long enough to understand the motivation behind our intention— whether it is to impress, satisfy the ego, expand consciousness, stimulate our will, or obtain our right livelihood—then our intention is empowered by this clarity.
When it comes to Visioning, rather than using willpower, we express willingness. Where there is willfulness there is a wall; where there is willingness there is a way. Willingness is about being patient with ourselves during the Visioning process until that “a-ha” moment when we realize, “That’s it! I’ve caught the vision.” Don’t
Dec/Jan 2011-2012
be surprised if what’s revealed through your willingness to get out of the way is greater than what you dared to imagine for yourself. When our intention to surrender is sin- cere, obstacles move aside and we come into attunement with our vision.
The Sacred “Yes” in Receptivity
Receptivity is an open, spacious mind and heart that tills the soil of conscious- ness into a fertile ground of “Yes.” It clears the way for deeper knowing below the surface mind, softening the hard-held places of cherished attach- ments and points of view that sabotage a more expansive perspective of the limitless possibilities for your life. When you are receptive, your consciousness becomes pliable, flexible, teachable, and this gives entry to new visions seeking to emerge in your life. It is like returning to our childlike innocence, open and recep- tive to limitless possibilities.
How Sweet the Surrender
Surrender is an expression of trust, a way of saying, “I am available to what
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