In visualization, the results of observation are linked with imagination. In the image to be constructed, the foundations are built by observation. In my own case, I am in the habit of visualizing a Celestial Sanctum, a place of worship, which has the appearance of a cathedral. I could just as well choose a mosque, a synagogue, a temple, or some other place, even secular, but a cathedral inspires me more, and that is why I have chosen it as the foundation of my personal visualization. Certainly I have seen more than one cathedral, and in each one "something" has greatly inspired me. Observation gives fundamental knowledge of the subject. The determining role of the imagination will be to improve the effectiveness of the mental picture by adding whatever may arouse inner emotion and spiritual exaltation. 

In my own case, this is achieved by combining in the imaginary cathedral all those "things" which have inspired me in the different cathedrals, which I have visited, down to the last detail. First of all I must "see" the cathedral in its entirety, as if I were flying over it; next, I examine the special exterior features, and finally I approach the central doorway and go inside, continuing to use the same care in visualization and adding to it, if possible, the impression of the fragrance of incense and whatever other particular elements I wish. The necessary rule is, then, to "live" the visualization, to become part of it as if it were our own actual conscious experience. This participation is comparable to the state produced in watching a movie, which greatly interests us. At that time, we actually "integrate" with the plot and the setting. We are entirely part of the film, and this is exactly the effect, which must be produced in visualization. Visualization, naturally, has an end, and is succeeded by the passive phase of experience, the most important part.

Visualization is the means of attaining a determined state. Once having attained that state, the means ought to be forgotten. The mental creation is achieved, and the time to derive benefit from it has arrived. It is time, therefore, to stop the work of building up, and to give way to the passive state, with its own pictures, thoughts, emotions, and impressions. When has that time come? It is impossible to state, exactly. One can say that, in a way, the transference works by itself-the active phase is transformed slowly into a state of receptivity, and one knows that visualization is ended and that attunement is taking place. Two questions are often asked: How long does this communion last? And what impressions are drawn from it? The answer to the first question is simple. This question is actually an error in itself. In the flowing life of the objective consciousness, everything is evaluated with the idea of time. But in the State of Cosmic Attunement, time does not exist. It is only after the experience, having returned to the state of ordinary consciousness that one notices that the experience, in its phase of receptivity, has lasted a second, a minute, or a quarter of an hour. One will notice also, that the result obtained is identical, whether the experience has taken place for a period of a second or even more, which leads us to the second question and answer.

During the attunement, there is knowledge in the most absolute sense of the term. The being is completely immersed in omniscience and omnipotence. If visualization has been conducted with a predetermined aim, such as the solution to a problem, a health question, or a request for help or protection, the attunement works in such a way that the goal will be reached in its universal context. If visualization has been undertaken only to attune, without a definite purpose, attunement will take place as a whole, and the being will draw from it whatever is profitable to it at that time. This is without doubt the best form of contact; the Inner Self knowing better than all reasoning what may be useful to the person in attunement. The point to remember is this: in every case, attunement is made with the universal, that is, with the all, with this sole difference-that in the case of a visualization directed towards a definite goal, the response will arise out of the general context suitable for all forms of contact, without exception.

It is important to remember that at the instant of attunement there is no perception. Knowledge is unformulated. It is in the very brief time of one's progressive return to objective consciousness, during the time between the attunement itself and full consciousness on the physical plane, that the reply, or the expected help, or even the possible message and the impressions properly expressed, take "perceived or conscious form". In other words, it is as one progressively returns to the outer world that "attunement" reveals a perceptible form, that it is clothed in human comprehension. Naturally the attunement may be so short in relation to temporal ideas, and the "return" may be so rapid, that perception may seem concomitant with attunement, but this is not the case. In some way it produces an inverse process to that of visualization. Visualization has ceased just before attunement, and, after this, knowledge takes "form" progressively and is "understood" in the particular aspect desired by who ever has been searching for it. Frequently there is at the same moment an impression of pictures, incense, or other things. Such manifestations vary with each person, and are the evidence of realized contact, because this, on the level of integrated knowledge, has made possible attunement with a Master, a mystic assembly, or other adepts in attunement at the same moment. It is also possible to do some particular "work" on this high plane under the direction of a being from another sphere, or an initiate still on the earthly plane. These differing conditions may be felt when the return takes place.

This is an important point: do not hasten the return to objective consciousness. It is advisable to let things take their course, in order to assist passively with this return, in contemplating and observing the impressions, which, little by little, take form. It is necessary to observe oneself. If the thought seems to wander, if the association of ideas takes form, it is enough to follow it as it unfolds. The will should not intervene. As soon as it does, the objective consciousness will take control of the being, and the experience will end. It is also possible to have no particular impression, but that does not mean the attunement has been a failure. This may be due solely to the fact that there has not been proper perception at the desired time. The objective consciousness may have had to take up its activities again too quickly, or else the return may have been accomplished with receptivity not being sustained, as it should have been. In any case, comprehension has not had the opportunity of fulfilling its role. But whoever has carried out the experience in the manner that I have just described, will be convinced that attunement has indeed taken place, and that it has been a complete success, which means that in every way one will draw benefit from it. Whatever has been obtained will be retained, and the Inner Self will function in such a manner that the objective comprehension will perceive it ultimately if it did not do so at the time. That will take place in the course of a period of relaxation, before sleep, or even at the moment of awakening. In every case the fruit of attunement will be perceived as soon as the Inner Self encounters again the desired passive condition, whenever the objective consciousness will be least active, including the moments of emotion, fear, or surprise. Comprehension can even take place after the problem has been solved, help granted, or health restored, because the result of attunement is present in him who has achieved it, and this result works even without his knowledge. Thus the appropriate response is adopted in the particular circumstance, the necessary inspiration appears for the solution of a problem, and medical advice produces rapid effects. A little reflection will then reveal that if one has been "guided" in this way it has been as a result of the preceding attunement.

Thus each person measures the fundamental importance of visualization and the Cosmic contacts it makes possible. Such contacts are helped and made considerably easier in their ultimate comprehension if they have taken place in the sublime setting of a sacred and sanctified place such as a Celestial Sanctum.

It is almost commonplace in our day to affirm the creative force of thought, and to emphasize that this is a powerful and effective ally. The Celestial Sanctum has been built with the help of this creative force, which means that it really exists. To be sure, it is of such a nature that it cannot be perceived by the objective senses- but are thoughts limited in this way? Now, each person is the reflection of his thoughts, and his life, his happiness, and his actions are the result of them. This Celestial Sanctum is also known by its effects on those who attune with it regularly, and on those who have been helped through it. It is as real, as living, as the soul personality of which our body is the Sanctum. It is as real as the building of stone where the faithful go to pray, but it is more easily accessible, since it may be reached in the place where one is at any time, which may be in the quietude of home, or in the uproar and excitement of the street. It is necessary only to put into practice some very simple instructions, and if the circumstances are against it, even to proceed with a brief mental purification. 

Visualization will be the decisive point, and if it seems long in the beginning, perhaps difficult, repetition will make it progressively so rapid and so effective that the Celestial Sanctum will be attained almost simultaneously with the desire to reach it. It is almost unavoidable for a seeker, not to profit each day by this marvelous creation. It should be at the heart of both his mystical and his secular existence. It should become the place to which, by a simple reflex, whenever the need arises, he/she can raise himself in consciousness to receive a message, a directive, an inspiration, or help. It is actually the Celestial Sanctum, which ought to preside over a seeker's spiritual studies, his mystical research, and his experiences. It is under its guidance, in its presence, that he should build his mystical life. His entire existence will then be bathed in harmony and infinite understanding, and his interior evolution will then unfold in an ambiance of high spiritual vibrations. Human difficulties and distressing experiences will be illumined by perfect understanding, helping him to overcome them, to see and to accept them as temporary burdens. In other words, he will constantly share in the privilege of a wisdom always available to the degree of understanding he has attained on the Path, and he will bathe in the Greater Light ready to manifest itself in him and through him.

Raymond Bernard

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