The Islamic spiritual teacher Ibn Al-Arabi taught that spiritual seekers have a religious duty to create imaginative theophanies — appearances of God — for themselves. . . .
With your imagination, the finger of God's spirit, you can creatively illustrate images of yourself as a kinder, friendlier, more prayerful, compassionate, and patient person. Dwell upon these images of yourself with a zealous desire that they be realized. Then, let that holy finger of God's spirit prod you forward into actualizing those mental pictures in your daily life.
— Edward Hays, The Lenten Pharmacy