by Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith: Although it is a contemporary buzzword, the word empower is not new. 
It first came about in the mid-17th century and meant “to invest with authority.” Interestingly, its current use originated in the civil rights movement, which sought political empowerment for its followers. Whether you’re talking about its personal relevance for women of color, for purposes of social justice or economic opportunity, what it’s spiritually about is an individual sense of being empowered through a depth of relationship with one’s Higher Self.
The Life Visioning Process is a non-sectarian, universal spiritual technology which empowers us to live our highest potential in our eight life structures, including: ego, beliefs, relationships, livelihood, finances, health, spirituality, and community. When practicing Life Visioning, we place ourselves in contact with the unique blueprint of our own soul and download the Spirit’s vision for our life (which some might call “the will of God”).
Let’s take an example: Say you’re having to choose between three job offers and aren’t sure which one will make the highest use of your gifts, talents and skills. After entering an interior state of consciousness through a period of affirmative prayer and/or meditation, ask yourself these questions: “What is the Spirit’s highest vision for my livelihood?” Listen with reverential alertness, as though the greatest secret of the universe is about to be whispered in your inner ear. Then ask: “What qualities do I already possess to support this vision? Which must I cultivate?” Next, “What qualities must I release to manifest this vision?” Then, with loving patience and trust, open yourself to receiving a response. No matter how completely or incompletely the vision comes through, give a sacred “yes” to it. Lastly, express gratitude, knowing that the vision is already taking form, that it has been vibrating within your being since you took birth.
A word to the wise: Don’t be fooled by the seeming simplicity of the LVP practice. Its potency resides in the depth of your ability to enter a receptive state of consciousness, activate the intuitive faculty, receive its guidance, and put what is revealed into action.
Life Visioning is a technology for activating the same empowerment known to our ancestors, which has provided modern day African-American women the strength, dignity, creativity, healing powers, and beauty of being that has been their divine inheritance since the beginning of time and for throughout all eternity.
