Visions

[PeterC]

I know what it looks like to imagine something in one’s mind, a figure, scene, object, persons etc. I suspect a vision is so much more than imagination. We do not imagine visions. I think a vision actually looks real and there is no doubt in the viewer’s mind that the image is visible and real. A strange feeling.

It’s different than imagination. It is sudden and startling when it is realized a vision has come. It’s fleeting but remains long enough to recognize it presence and what it is describing. It removes all forms of consciousness’ from your mind except the vision itself. It causes 100% involuntary attention until it leaves. The afterthought leaves no doubt and it is not hard to figure out what happened and why.

I am hesitant to discuss it further. I wondered if anyone could verify the definition I just gave. It is the best I could describe. Has anyone had a similar experience? I would discuss it further if I were confident I am not fooling myself.

 

[oriel36]

PeterC:

I know what it looks like to imagine something in one’s mind, a figure, scene, object, persons etc. I suspect a vision is so much more than imagination. We do not imagine visions. I think a vision actually looks real and there is no doubt in the viewer’s mind that the image is visible and real. A strange feeling.

It’s different than imagination. It is sudden and startling when it is realized a vision has come. It’s fleeting but remains long enough to recognize it presence and what it is describing. It removes all forms of consciousness’ from your mind except the vision itself. It causes 100% involuntary attention until it leaves. The afterthought leaves no doubt and it is not hard to figure out what happened and why.

I am hesitant to discuss it further. I wondered if anyone could verify the definition I just gave. It is the best I could describe. Has anyone had a similar experience? I would discuss it further if I were confident I am not fooling myself.

No need to be hesitant,the original Vision of Christ and Christianity is an experience which emerges in the lifetime of a Catholic at one time or another.

The Vision is often preceded by a condition that can only be described as an intellectual irritation that becomes almost painful near the point of conversion.

The Vision is a change of Spiritual air that is so powerful that it alters the road ahead of the individual in such a way that there is no going back and much stumbling forward,at least initially.

Btw,the imagination is the conduit for the creative visions we know and love so well and found in God inspired artists,composers and authors but unfortunately it is also present in the pretensious,the cruel and the selfish.

 

[PeterC]

I saw a heart. Not a valentine shaped heart. A real heart. Nothing else, just the heart. It was open as if in cross section. The chambers were visible and filled with blood. Out of one chamber (lower right chamber) thick rich red blood spilled out and down. I could see it flow to a place beneath the heart. Very rich and deep red.

Afterward, still in awe, I tried to recall and imagine the scene again because I suspected this was very different and special. I could re-imagine only the shape and color but nowhere near the richness of the vision’s deep red color and not (as was in the vision) in three dimensions and movement. My recall was limited to my ability to imagine a picture.

I make no claim as to its meaning and as earlier indicated I am very concerned with regard to speaking of it. Speculation could be viewed as arrogant. I just want to share this with anyone who feels moved to contemplate the scene I think I saw.

I will share a further fact that I have not been to confession in 50 years or so. Hours earlier I wrote an email letter to a priest asking for his help in my journey back to the church. He answered right away and assured me he could quickly help in my reconciliation with the church. I read his reply and sobbed.