Forty-something years ago I happened to read a slim, newly published paperback book that has reverberated in my life ever since. Written by an American woman named Shakti Gawain, the book, Creative Visualization, became a best-seller, read by millions of people all over the world.
This week – in a fit of what, nostalgia? — I decided to reread Creative Visualization as an eBook. The subtitle for the 40thAnniversary Edition, published a few years ago, reads: “Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life.” So now I’ll add my small voice to the testimonies of those who have found this book effective in helping them to do just that.
In creative visualization, as the book defines it, you use your imagination to create a clear image, idea, or feeling of something you wish to manifest. Then you continue to focus on it – and give it lots of positive energy — until it becomes reality.
In my own experience as a caterer in Manhattan from 1986 to 1996, for example, I applied creative visualization to every one of my catering jobs. I’d imagine the end result in detail – every item on the menu, the choreography of the service, the guests’ pleasure and comfort – as if it were a full-length Technicolor movie playing in my mind.
This “movie” became my goal, and I focused on it intently, making mental – and literal – lists for what needed to be done to see that the party as I’d imagined it became a reality. This process took a lot of creative, positive energy, but I found it worked well for me. And I felt I had Shakti Gawain’s guidebook Creative Visualization to thank.
A more recent example is my newest book, Sweet Tarts for My Sweethearts: Stories and Recipes from a Culinary Career (Nighthawk Press 2020). This book was alive in my imagination well before it became tangible.
The cover of it, especially — for which my friend Kharin Gilbert took the photo of me, wearing a blouse my friend Kim Malcolm gave me, holding a platter I’d borrowed from my friend Beatriz Villegas, containing my just-baked blueberry tart (recipe in the book) – clearly existed in my mind before anyone else could see it or even imagine it. The book’s actual cover, designed by Kathleen Munroe (www.starrdesign.biz) is the manifestation:
Similarly, whenever I’ve had to give a presentation, whether a college lecture or a public reading, I’ve applied the same creative visualization techniques: imagining the final (successful) outcome as if it had already occurred, and then rehearsing sufficiently beforehand to make the presentation the best it might be.
This Sunday, as I wrote in my previous WOW post, “You Are Invited,” (www.blog.bonnieleeblack.com/you-are-invited/), I’ll be doing a Zoom reading for the first time. Because this will be a first for me, it’s difficult for me to even imagine how it will go. In the meantime, I’ll try to creatively visualize all of your faces on the screen, rehearse the pieces I plan to read, and pray that I have an Internet connection. As they say here in Mexico, vamos a ver (we’ll see)! If you tune into it, you can see for yourself. See you there?
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Hola Bonnie! Looking forward to your Zoom reading. You will be sending the link?
Thanks, P.! The link is in the link that I gave at the end of this post — that is to say, all the info you need was given in last week’s WOW, which I link in this new post. I hope this is clear!
Great post. I have her book as well. Maybe it’s time for me to reread it.
Thanks so much, Beth! Yes, I’m sure you’d enjoy rereading it.
I remember Shakti! I even met her once at a newage event in Hawaii. I used her visualization method to find an apartment and a job. It does work! Thanks for reminding us about her. See you Sunday.
Thanks for sharing your own Shakti experience, Toni dear. I’ll look for your face on the screen on Sunday. Keeping fingers crossed that my Internet connection doesn’t fail me.
La Bonnie! I believe that creative visualization helped me get out of Cuba. I used one of Louise Hay’s books but will look for Shatki’s. See you on Sunday! With tart and everything.
Oh, WOW, Te! Will you have a tart in hand that you made yourself?! I can’t wait to see you (and it)! — xx
I’ll be there!
Yay, L.! It’ll be like a class reunion! — xx
Bonnie, I believe that God, being what God is (the Ultimate Creator) honors creativity above all other human endeavors. Each event you initiate, whether catering a big dinner in downtown Manhattan or reading from a book and sharing your knowledge, has been an act of creation, which you have honored through your full attention to it. This explains why everything you do turns out so well. It’s not magic–you MAKE the magic!
Thank you so much for these thoughts, BeDear. Yes, I agree: the God of Creation is STILL creating — through those who are willing to be employed in this way. I also believe that all of us have creative talents that we’re meant to express, as Shakti Gawain says, “for the good of the world.”
Bonnie: I have not read the book but have used the technique many, many times especially for presentations. I know that you will see us all there in your “mind’s eye” and you will be smashing on Zoom.
So good to hear from you, Carol dear! I hope all is well with you and Sr. Roberto. Yes, you are always in my “mind’s eye” and in my thoughts and prayers too.
You continue to be an inspiration Bonnie!
Thank you, dear Kim — and you to me! BTW, I plan to wear the pretty yellow linen blouse you gave me for tomorrow’s Zoom reading. Look for it! — xx
Hi Bonnie! Sorry I tuned in too late to hear your reading! But I just ordered your book. So looking forward to reading it and making some of your delicious recipes!! Thank you!
Dear Joanna — So good to hear from you! I hope you and family are doing well. Here is the link to the whole Zoom presentation, if you’d like to see it all. You might want to “cut to the chase” and eliminate the first 15-or-so minutes to save yourself some time. Note that the passcode follows the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/hcR_KwUV0tbabVygjLBymeE8i9IT2p2amrwDbqmz6aCwD6WxXuVWkrdd4oXFsTXh.0XfNW3qfuW_moGsO Passcode: 0AWCbpK!
Dear Bon,
I definitely believe in creative visualization. And speaking of visuals, the cover of your wonderful new book is a real showstopper. I have it standing up in my kitchen, and every time i look at it I feel energized and powerful. When blueberries are back in season I will attempt to make it.
Love,
Paul
Thank you for this, Paul dear! Yes, I can visualize the book in your kitchen — so nice to see! — BB xx