Civilisations created by human beings are based on the consecutive fragments of imagination of great minds in history, says A K Mishra
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam said, “Dream, dream, dream; dreams transforms into thoughts and thoughts result in action.” In essence, a refined action is the result of extensive thoughts, vivid imagery and insights. Such an action seldom fails to attain its objectives. Imagination is one of those gifts of nature to human that separates our lineage from those of primates, mammals and animalistic beings. It is the first step or perhaps just the next to thoughts, differentiated by a subtle border. The difference between thoughts and imagination is that the former is involuntary and the latter deliberate. Human mind is a unique creation known so far. Every human creation — stunning architectures, sublime paintings, great poetry, novels and masterpieces, surreal music and every single achievement of the human civilisation — are the results of imagination. It is the holy grail of transcendence of human beings over other creatures.
The reflexes of imagination are dynamic. It not only creates, but also sustains and also destroys. Imagination, at subtle levels, affects human relations, interactions and behaviours. Herein comes the power play of what we call perception. It is the part of imagination which is deeply seated in the mind because of material conditioning. These are imaginations that are reinforced strongly by facts and figures. In short, they are ‘real time’ imaginations. The subtle relation between perception and imagination is vague as they are ingrained and overlapped one over the other. Human relations run on perceptions. Our interaction with nature, everything material and immaterial, existent and non-existent are based on our perceptions about them. Societies, countries, international affairs, wars, military strategies are all products of this very perception of mind. In a nutshell, perceptions, the condensed form of imagination, is running our existent world.
The extent of authority of imagination can be perceived by shedding a thought on creation of the very creator. The question of whether God exists or not is an after-effect of human imagination. Imagine what if God did not existIJ If faith did not existIJ And if fear was non-existentIJ The very imagination of afterlife, God and Karma has been the foundation of human society and eventually of human life. The power of imagination is the platform wherein lies the basis of human existence.
Apart from these philosophical paradigms, imagination has practical implications on human life. Civilisations created by human beings are based on the consecutive fragments of imagination of great minds in history. The world could have reached its Armageddon and turned to one of those futuristic movie plots from Hollywood if a handful of individuals would not have taken the right decision at right times based on their very imaginations. And the civilisation we enjoy today: communication, the power to explore the unknown spaces and transformation of human lives from comfort to luxury are results of working minds who imagined.
Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attraction.” The power of imagination can be perceived as a sculptor carving out a masterpiece out of a rock. Visualisation is the stronghold of creativity because only nature works in random, not human beings. In poetry, such as Kubla Khan by Coleridge, vivid creativity triggered by imagination is witnessed.
Power of imagination can be applied as an instrument that drives success in our lives. External agents provoke motivation. However, the final spark must be from within. The surge of energy one derives from internal agents of the mind is the ultimate cause of motivation. Getting back on what Dr Kalam said about dreams, imagery of mind is the inception of great works.
Imagination to attain success can be segmented into two spheres. First, imagining the after effects of achievements, more a sort of daydreaming. It works in a very pragmatic way. Feeling what one would have felt after the achievement is a powerful way to motivate the self. It is a mental exercise, which powers up the mind and makes it focused towards goals. It activates the creative power of the subconscious mind. This practice, programs the Reticular Activating System (RAS) of our mind. This makes our consciousness notice available resources, which were left unnoticed before. It magnetises and guides the mind to people and opportunities that reinforce our goals and objectives. In fact, the process itself advances to the next and the second sphere of imagination, which is planning the plot. Visualisation activates the RAS and helps the mind be aware of every possible resource. The mechanism filters beliefs and mental images to work in tandem with objectivities. Visualisation activates the subconscious mind and creates solutions to attain the predefined objectives. These mechanisms create a new level of motivation and meticulously automate the mind towards objectivities.
The analogy of human brain can be done with a powerful computer. As a computer can be programmed and reprogrammed, so can the mind be. Thinking or imagination is the programme that is activated in the mind. Thoughts are like the guiding principles of our actions and behaviours. Our every thought is a building block of our life. We create as we think and become what we create out of us. The power of imagination to transform our lives is ingrained as the most subtle element of our formation. Everything a person becomes is the result imagination.
Imagination flows in both directions: positive and negative. Negative thoughts result into negative consequences. They have the equal propensity to transform into the physical world, similar to positive consequences. This particular aspect lights up an important mantra of life: it is up to you where to direct your boat in the sea of life.