Virtue: Vision

The Dedicant Handbook defines Vision as follows: “The ability to broaden one's perspective to have a greater understanding of our place/role in the cosmos, relating to the past, present, and future.” Collins English Dictionary defines it a few different ways but gives these relevant definitions:

a. something seen by other than normal sight; something perceived in a dream, trance, etc. or supernaturally revealed, as to a prophet

b. the experience of having such a perception or revelation

c. mental image; esp., an imaginative contemplation to have visions of power

d. the ability to perceive something not actually visible, as through mental acuteness or keen foresight

 Exercise 1: Who and What Is Visionary? We have all experienced people who possess vision, from politicians to inventors, and artists to educators. Vision is often a fundamental trait of people who excel and advance in their chosen profession or hobby. Dr. M. L. King was a visionary with extraordinary forethought to see where our society needed to change. Thomas Anderson and Chris DeWolfe had incredible vision to take technology a step further to create the first true social networking site, Myspace. People with vision can take past events, the current situation, and extrapolate a future where one hopes to proceed. Vision takes many forms but often takes insights and develops a path to some intended future. I am a visionary in some aspects in that I continually attempt to learn and dream of future progress in science and technology. Both Arch Druids Isaac and Ian were/are visionary in that they knew where progress had brought ADF and where they wanted it to go in the future.

 Exercise 2: Examining Definitions: Visions need to be defined in the subject they are framed and produce a desire to reach particular goals. In other words, it probably takes someone familiarly with druidry to have a vision of where druidry is headed. Some of the dictionary definitions of vision seem mythological (such as things seen in a revelation or trance) and perception of things unseen. They take the definition a bit literal and fail to extend it to people with foresight and imagination of the future. The ADF definition in the Dedicant Handbook seems specific to our spiritual path but in that context, it is perfectly phrased. I would not change a word in it.

 Exercise 3: Seeking the Mythology and History: The virtue of vision has been displayed throughout history. The Pythia of the Oracle at Delphi could predict the future for common folk and emperors alike. They, like others seers from the Proto-Indian-European people, had immense vision of events and the ability to explain them through cryptic and sometimes confusing messages. The long history of the Oracle demonstrates its success and respect of all those who journeyed for the Oracle’s prophesies. A modern visionary Arthur C Clarke had amazing foresight into the future of technology, predicting satellite-based worldwide communications a decade before the first satellite was launched. He is also was credited with visions of home computers, smartwatches, and email and many other futuristic endeavors. The sort of people who seem to fit the virtue of vision have enormous ability to see things that “normal” people do not, past, present, or future. Their gift is extrapolating an analysis to create a forecast that is unique and usually correct.

 Exercise 4: The Virtue and the Self: I have experienced vision a number of times in my life, but can also identify with times I apparently lacked vision. When I failed in vision, it was usually because I chose not to see or understand what was coming. Un-vision is closed-mindedness in action. A visionary decision is one that feels right because there is support and facts behind it, and it produces a true vision of what should result. Vision is undoubtedly a virtue that we should pursue and embrace as we consider some of the greatest people in the world have been visionaries.

 Exercise 5: Your Understanding of the Virtue: Yes, vision is a true virtue and one that ADF should teach and typify in its training. While some unique people may have been born with extraordinary vision, most learn it through experience and the ability to analyze information. We look upon our leaders, especially our spiritual leaders, for vision and understanding. Dumezil understood that the priestly class has vision and must show this vision to be a good leader among people. We in ADF should also strive for this virtue.

 

Sites visited: 

“The Vision of ADF” by Isaac Bonewits http://www.adf.org/about/vision.html

“A Vision for Ár nDraíocht Féin” by Ian Corrigan http://www.adf.org/about/vision-for-adf.html

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/vision

https://www.history.com/topics/delphi

https://www.biography.com/news/arthur_c_clarke_biography_facts

https://www.adf.org/members/training/dp/dp-manual-web/index.html