Taming The Power of Imagination

Rev. Leslie Woods

This essay originally appeared in our church newsletter. It reflects on Charles Fillmore’s teaching on the Power of Imagination and how to work with creative flow in your spiritual practice.

The Power of Imagination has to be my favorite power, in fact mine may need taming from time to time. And yet, I see people struggling with imagination the most. Is it frivolous and too playful? Do people feel it needs to be outgrown after childhood? In New Thought, imagination is that mind connection to God that allows us to play.  By play, I don’t mean silliness, although it can be. In this sense though, play is the mind activity that excites you. It is the part of your thinking connection with God that comes so easy that it doesn’t even seem like work. It feels more like play. It is here that transformation begins.

Man holding a light bulb. What if our next creation was just an idea away?

What is important is that we take hold of the Power of Imagination and apply it. These amazing ideas come to us for a reason. Spirit is relaying the message to be at work for the kingdom, in and of the kingdom. How do we corral all of those ideas, especially when we are in the flow and the idea seems to come in like a flood? Here are some pointers that have worked well for me.

Keep An ‘Idea Central’ Place

This can be a vision board, document in your electronic device, bulletin board, idea box, a concept board/white board like in Canva or Google. Keep all ideas there. Even if they are not ideas that you take action on right away, store them in this Idea Central place.

Prayer and Discernment with Imagination

When we are in the flow, ideas come at us fast! We can often be overwhelmed by the amount of amazing ideas that flow our way. One essential step is prayer and discernment to determine when, how, and if these are to be acted upon.  Some questions you may want to ask during this time of discernment are:

• Is this mine to do?

• Is it the time now or later? If later, the questions below apply at the later time, so don’t get stuck in the weeds processing this now.

• What are my resources for this idea? (people, places, knowledge, software, etc.)

• On a scale of 1 to 10, how easy is it to implement?

  • Do I need to create a logistics plan?

  • Do I need a team?

  • Do I need to hire professionals?

  • Are there costs involved? Are funds on hand or do I need to acquire through fundraising, loans, or saving?

Wisdom and Understanding

Utilize these two other powers to energize and reign in the idea. All too often we get so excited that we plow forward, sometimes at our own detriment. I have done that many times! Breathe. Sink into the powers of wisdom and understanding. To be able to tap easily into wisdom and understanding, it is best to stay centered. Utilize your time for meditation, activities that ground you, stay connected to people that keep you feeling grounded. When we are centered, we are more aware of the gentle nudges for Spirit. These nudges can be telling you where to find that “thing/resource that seems missing”, a request to pause for a minute, a gentle “Yep, you’re on the right path.”, and so on. The answers are all here for us, we must be still enough to recognize the communication. 

Release and Surrender

Some ideas are smooth sailing from start to finish. Others, well, they take the scenic route. Do obstacles mean that we should dismiss the idea? Not always.  I have had times where I planned something and there were delays, for whatever reason. Yes, leaning into that wisdom and understanding, I knew it was mine to keep moving forward. When we surrender to God, after we have done all that we were tasked with, we leave the door open. I found that when I do this, instead of trying to completely control the situation, the highest and best unfolds faster. 

Did you ever feel like there were obstacles, only to find out that the obstacles kept you from moving forward too quickly? When we are slowed down, it allows time for the concept, resource, funds, or people to get to us. Be patient and trust the process.  - I saw that eye roll, but it is true.

Celebrate

Along this journey of implementing those ideas, celebrate! Sing that gratitude, dance with joy, have a small party, toss some confetti!  Why? Because it brings more goodness.  In turn, the remaining steps fall into place and get you closer to full demonstration of that goal. 

Circle Back

Remember all those ideas you stored in step one? Revisit them from time to time. You may find, some are already starting to unfold. You may find, one is screaming, “Now! Now is the time!” You may even discover that one idea gently tells you, “This is a great idea, but it is not yours to do.” And of course, the one that calls us to take a breath because it says, “Not yet.”  Place all ideas in their rightful place and carry on.

Have fun utilizing your power of imagination! It is there for all of us. Create art, spreadsheets, code, buildings, cures, peace resolutions, music, dance, astronomical discoveries, and so much more! Find your creative joy and let your light shine!

If imagination is calling you right now, I’d love to hear what you’re creating! Share in the comment - let’s celebrate your creative spark.