When we were younger, we all had quite vivid imaginations that we freely allowed to find full expression. As we got older, however, we were wrongly taught that it was irresponsible to have actively imaginative minds. Instead, we were taught on the need to be realistic in everything. In fact, the common parlance today is, ‘C’mon, let’s be realistic…’
The truth is that we do not need more realists to tell us about the harsh realities in the seen realm. What we need are more men and women willing to pursue mastery in the art of observation.
One way to do that is to have an active imagination.
The Imagination Paradox
To be able to have an active imagination, we need to adopt the right paradigm about our imagination. The truth is that your imagination is a tool that is neither good nor bad. It can be used appropriately or inappropriately, depending on the person doing the imagining.
Let’s briefly prove that.
Can you count the number of rooms you have in your house?
Was that easy to do?
When I asked you to count the number of rooms in your house, did you drop this article and then start entering each room one after the other?
Of course not!
You simply imagined those rooms and counted them, right?
Another quick question: Did the fact that you imagined those rooms make them any less real?
No!
Rather, it is because the rooms were real, that’s why you were able to imagine them!
Now, pay close attention to this truth, because, it has the capability to change your life forever: Your imagination is
2 Corinthians 4:18 says,
‘While we look not at the things which are seen, but at things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal’
How do you think great inventions, innovations, works of art, and products of ingenuity are created?
That’s right, through the power of the imagination.
The creations already existed in certain forms in the unseen realm and that’s why they could be imagined!
To gain mastery in the art of observation, it is imperative for you to learn how to make use of your imaginative tool to deliberately imagine things constructively.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, every individual was created with the ability to see, yet not everyone would attain mastery in the art of observation. In the same way, as I’ve already proved, everyone has the ability to imagine, but not everyone has mastered the skills required to deliberately imagine things creatively or constructively.
As with all principles, the principles of
imagination do not have a soft spot for ignorance. If you abide by its principles, you’d get the benefits; and if you don’t, you’d get burnt!
The Mechanical Stage Of Imagination
For the scope of this article, there are two stages you’d have to pass through if you’re ever going to attain observation mastery.
The first is what I’d refer to as Mechanical Imagination. In this kind, your imaginative process is fuelled by already existing concepts, ideas and things around you.
During the course of this
While this kind of imagination does not hold any fruits, it does train you and place you in the right frame of mind to engage in the kind of imagination that would open the door to the unseen realm. That is why we need to be careful with the kinds of inputs we feed our minds during the process of mechanical imagination.
If all you feed your mind with are inappropriate books, videos, songs, pictures
The truth is that if your imagination is working against you, you cannot expect to perceive the right things in the unseen realm.
That’s why I recommend that you should be highly selective with the kind of movies, books, songs, and news you interact with. If they are
The Creative Stage Of Imagination
The second stage of imagination that would open the door to the unseen realm is what I’d refer to as the Creative Imagination. In this kind, the frequency at which your thoughts are operating on far transcends anything that can be
King Camp Gillette was the founder of one of the most successful companies that produce safety razors and shaving products. Back then, the popular shaving tool used by men had a blade permanently attached to an elaborately designed handle. Any time the blade became dulled by continual use, they were taken to be sharpened. However, through the art of observation, Gillette perceived that it would be a welcome development if these elaborately designed handles had detachable razors, instead of a single fixed blade. He tried out the idea and made untold fortunes by executing the idea. When recalling how the idea of a detachable razor blade came to him, Gillette said, ‘All this came more in pictures than in conscious thought…as though the razor were already a finished thing held before my eyes’
This is a testimony to the fact that when you are engaged in creative imagination, you are actually staring into the unseen realm of perfect forms.
Use Your Imagination or Be Used By It
Your imagination is a tool that could give you a decisive advantage when used appropriately. Let’s briefly focus on those who think that creative imagination is
Hebrews 5:14 says, ‘…even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised…’
Every individual is born with the ability to imagine things. However, if you want to attain proficiency in the constructive use of your imagination, you have to start deliberately and consciously imagining things.
Granted, your initial attempts would be mechanical in nature, and it would most likely be a bit difficult for you to do it for a sustained period of time. But the truth is that you would not be able to get to the level of creative imagination if you’ve not passed the stage of mechanical imagination.
So, what do you do?
Select your input consciously. Get books, videos, pictures, songs and anything that would serve as a trigger for your mechanical imagination. As you continue to do this deliberately, you’d discover that you are more aware of your thoughts.
The good thing about being aware of your thoughts is that it gives you the liberty to easily sieve your mind of any mental clutter that could make your imagination run on a negative kind of autopilot. As a result, you are able to catch yourself easily, if you find yourself permitting your imagination to churn out pictures you don’t want to see. Also, as you are deliberately feeding your mechanical imagination with the appropriate input you desire, you’d find it easier to imagine things.
Another thing to pay attention to is that while mechanical imagination would basically train you in the habit of imagining things deliberately, that’s where its usefulness ends. Creative imagination is where the fruits of imagination can be truly appreciated because, at this stage, your imagination is operating at a frequency that you cannot deliberately attain by your efforts. This is why itis usually counter-productive to force yourself to have a creative imagination. It simply does not work that way! You can, and you should force the issue with mechanical imagination whenever you choose to. But when it comes to creative imagination needed to solve problems, your best bet is to rest. Don’t fret, don’t worry, and don’t be over-analytical about creativity. Just rest, trusting that the answer would come – often in a way you least expect it to.
As a general rule, however, the more you engage in constructive imagination, the better you’d be at it. Why? We are creatures of habit – we become
The more you engage in mechanical imagination, the more you position yourself for the higher frequencies of creative imagination. And the more you position yourself for creative imagination, the better you’d be at mastering the art of observation.
Remember, Ephesians 3:20?
Now unto
The sad thing is that most us are doing much of asking, and very little of thinking and imagining! Failure to harness your imagination to make it work for you could lead to disastrous consequences
Culled from my upcoming book “You Too Can Be Free To Master the Art of Observation: Timeless Principles for Effortlessly Crystallizing Every Single Potential Trapped Within and Around You”.
