The Imagination: How It Works For & Against You

We are living in an age where images play a major role in how we see ourselves, friends, and the world at large. One can literally access a timeline of their lives in the tap of a button. This bombardment of photos is no different than the reels that play on the big screen of our mind. The imagination is active 24/7 and is consistently capturing, creating and remixing images on a moment by moment basis.

Focus & Memory. Cameras are modeled after the eye; consider the iris, lens, retina, aperture, color imaging etc. And if we refer to the eye as the camera, then the imagination is the film – recording the object of focus. And the processing in between, is meditation; that's the dark room. What you focus and meditate on eventually becomes a memory. And memories are re-membered (put back together again) at later points in time; whether it’s in simple reflection or being applied to what’s generated in the imagination. This process makes that object of focus real to your brain even if it's not physically happening. It's why before you know it, your physical body can react to an immaterial picture formed by one thought.

Default Settings. One must be aware of the default setting of their imagination. For example, if what’s in focus does not serve ideal outcomes, the imagination can literally work against your desires. The same is true about previous experiences (aka memories) – if your past does not reflect how you’d like to see your future or even your present, the default setting of imagination will more than likely create scenarios that replay and reenact those unfortunate events or craft images based on logic (which is simply knowledge made up of how things tend to pan out based on previous experiences). This is why those who have not experienced prolonged trauma, may have the ability to look on the bright side of things with ease - their default setting is rooted in ideal scenarios.

Unseen Imagery. The unique thing about imagination is that it has the power to tap into what is unseen. This is what most consider child’s play; it’s the part of imagination that creates and not necessarily makes. To create is to produce something out of nothing while making a thing is the process of using known parts to produce something different. Creatives or the individual deemed as a genius tend to tap into this part of the imagination more often. While most don’t contribute their abilities to it, there is truly an unseen, all-knowing force seeking to produce our very hopes and dreams through us. In fact, years ago a genius was considered to be a spiritual entity that worked alongside a human being to create the impossible. And when asked about his process, a musical legend attributed his work to the same force by saying, I don’t write the music, it just flows through me.

With that being said, your daily hope, joy, and peace are strongly linked to your imagination. If what you see within has the power to shift your emotions and behavior it also has the power to shift your quality of external living. Be mindful of your focus, default settings, and the unknown entity desiring to reveal your divine reality and make your good dreams come true.

LifeWork:

Sitting still for at least 5 minutes, close your eyes and pay attention to the images that flash in the forefront of your mind. Observe the images as they come without judgement (that means to refrain from deeming them as good or bad). Just neutrally observe them.

Journal your experience. List whether or not you were/are able to comfortably watch the images and note if those images represent ideal outcomes.

Try this activity at least 3 times per week. In your journal, write about the ideal default setting you desire to have.

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Tashima Jones is an author and life coach who focuses on personal development and building inner-wealth. Tap here for more on her coaching sessions. Not a Member? Join the Club here.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.