Whether we're speaking of a child with imaginary friends or a schizophrenic who sees make-believe people, the typical advice is to "Get with the REAL world." Center yourself in the here and now, we tell folks. While this advice sounds so rational and pragmatic, few of us take the time to understand that it's not as rational as one might think.
You see, the things that bind us together are all imaginary too. The difference between our imaginary vision and that of a child or a schizophrenic is that our made-up ideations are accepted by society, in general, while theirs are not.
For example, many people have strong beliefs in their national identity. They proudly shout that they are proud to be a Turk, Venezuelan or American. And what separates a Turk, Venezuelan or American from someone else? Imaginary lines (borders) etched on a map!
People find a sense of belonging because of religious or philosophical beliefs. These concepts of differing world views don't actually exist -- they are nothing more than ideas. You can't hold love, devotion or altruism in the palm of your hand.
Even when people talk about being bound together by blood, what they really mean is by some imaginary sentiment that particular people share. If blood truly was the binding, then we would be connected to EVERY person, not just those of a particular skin color or place of origin.
We live in a finite world of imaginary proportions. All the things we write and sing about are intangibles. Every work of art and every political speech is about things that don't exist beyond the confines of our minds.
So, if the vast majority of our lives are defined by ideas that we conjure up out of thin air, shouldn't we conjure up more ideas that bring us together with the cosmos and promote harmony? Isn't a made-up world of love and peace more advantageous than a made-up world of hate and war?
You see, the things that bind us together are all imaginary too. The difference between our imaginary vision and that of a child or a schizophrenic is that our made-up ideations are accepted by society, in general, while theirs are not.
For example, many people have strong beliefs in their national identity. They proudly shout that they are proud to be a Turk, Venezuelan or American. And what separates a Turk, Venezuelan or American from someone else? Imaginary lines (borders) etched on a map!
People find a sense of belonging because of religious or philosophical beliefs. These concepts of differing world views don't actually exist -- they are nothing more than ideas. You can't hold love, devotion or altruism in the palm of your hand.
Even when people talk about being bound together by blood, what they really mean is by some imaginary sentiment that particular people share. If blood truly was the binding, then we would be connected to EVERY person, not just those of a particular skin color or place of origin.
We live in a finite world of imaginary proportions. All the things we write and sing about are intangibles. Every work of art and every political speech is about things that don't exist beyond the confines of our minds.
So, if the vast majority of our lives are defined by ideas that we conjure up out of thin air, shouldn't we conjure up more ideas that bring us together with the cosmos and promote harmony? Isn't a made-up world of love and peace more advantageous than a made-up world of hate and war?
must be a theme tonight :) i just wrote a poem about imagination on my blog.
ReplyDeletestrange how the day gives birth to the same ideas in different people's minds.
If ya think about it, there are only a large handful of basic issues in life. Consequently, it's not all that surprising that different minds think similar thoughts...particularly when speaking of two GREAT minds. :-)
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