Mystical Experiences: Visions
Visions are among the most striking of mystical experiences. They can come as a single, vivid image that imprints itself on the mind, or as a living sequence—like a film unfolding before the inner eye. Some arrive with accompanying words, forming a hybrid of vision and locution. Others are purely visual, silent yet eloquent. The saints and spiritual writers—from Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross to Thomas Dubay—agree that visions are not rewards for holiness but instruments of grace. They are meant to teach, correct, or console, and they require discernment as much as wonder. 🌿 The Three Main Types of Vision 1. The Single Image A single, unmistakable image that conveys meaning without words. It may appear suddenly, often in prayer or contemplation, and carry a clear directive or insight. Example: Years ago, Elizabeth Mahlou saw the image of a colleague whom she barely knew imprinted on her last bottle of holy water from the Baptismal Site every time she happened to look a...