Imaginary Friends and Foes
The Nature of Imagination
Imagination is a necessary component of creativity, and it is beneficial in many other aspects of life. However, as always, there are two sides to a coin and while an overly active imagination comes with a lot of positives, it may also come with some negatives. This blog post will discuss and detail the pros and cons of imagination and hopefully offer some ways to tackle the negatives. Imagination isn't necessarily something we always control, it's an automatic mental process that takes place in an instant; while the source and roots of imagination are still widely discussed today, one thing we do know - is that it's heavily linked to pattern recognition. The Scottish philosopher and writer David Hume believed that our imagination is limited to what we can comprehend and recognise, and that imagination uses this built-in understanding of pattern recognition to create new things. The example I remember from his book "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding" is that of a mountain made of gold: when we imagine it we take our concept of gold and our concept of mountain - and combine the two into something that doesn't exist in our world: a whole mountain made entirely from refined gold. Hume brings up more examples in his work, but essentially they all work the same. What sent my head for a spin when reading it was of course the nature of abstract concepts and metaphysics - as Hume asserts we can only speak of things that on some level exist, and can only imagine the unimaginable within the framework of what we know; while we're not here to ponder about the implied existence of concepts like God - it's definitely worth a thought. Instead, let's look closer at the essence of imagination and how it operates.
In other philosophy, for instance: post-structuralism - the French duo Deleuze and Guattari used the concepts of "rhizomatic" and "arborescent" to describe the origins and connections of culture, ideas, and more. Both terms are botanical in origin and describe two types of root growth found in plants. Arborescent is the most common and is best exemplified by trees; where from a single point of origin, (the seed) the tree grows outwards into a massive network of roots, which connects to a trunk and ultimately branches out into individual branches, all coming from the same tree and leads to the predetermined procession which is the fruit, from which the whole process starts anew at a different location but through the same process. Deleuze and Guattari attributed most Western thinking and especially science to follow this model: and it's a process to which a lot of different scientific theories can be attributed. E.g. in the literary theory of semiotics with its concepts of hypo- and hypertext. Hypotext is the original source - for this example: the bible - a religious manuscript; and the hypertext is a new creative work based on the original; in this case Neon Genesis Evangelion - a Japanese TV animation, combining robots and biblical stories. This line of thinking is very much in line with Hume's ideas of imagination; that new imaginative works arise through the process of combining already existing things. This mode of imagination is described as linear due to it originates from one source and always connects in some way to this source of imagination. The opposite of this linear mode of thinking is found in rhizomatic thinking.
Rhizomatic in contrast to arborescent is viewed as non-linear and is used to describe a network that "connects any point to any other point", it's a network without an apparent order or coherency according to Deleuze. A good example of a rhizome is a potato - its roots growing outwards, as well as forming new roots from within itself. Now, philosophers aren't botanists and the truth is that these two differencing concepts only make sense if you remove them from their original botanical meaning; since both rhizomatic and aerial plant tissues follow mostly the same patterns of division and branching. Rhizomes follow largely the same life cycle and growth as arborescent plants, but funnily enough, this discrepancy by these French thinkers goes to show their theory in praxis. Here we see that their imagination is not only working with combining already existing things but also misinterpreting and misrepresenting them, and through doing that coming up with a new creative thought. This mutation of ideas occurs through the subjective and innate understanding of imagination - by returning to Hume's example of a golden mountain: a person with a different understanding of what gold is can come up with a seemingly different imaginative scenario from a person who has a clear vision of a golden mountain. This variation is not only found in linguistics but it stems largely from it. An imaginative person is then not only somebody who has a good and clear understanding of things but also is a person who misunderstands and interprets according to their own set of rules.
We can realise then and see quite clearly that imagination doesn't concern itself with truth and accuracy in the matter of facts. Indeed it has no connection to morals, ethics, or anything of the sort. Imagination is constituted of intrusive thoughts as well as beautiful dreams - it is unfiltered potential and complete nothingness in regard to what is. It only concerns itself with what could be - for did it not, it would not be imaginative in essence. See in some way imagination is never what is: it's funnily enough always something that could be. Always this potentiality of reality. You needn't go much further than ask yourself how you would like things to be. Use your imagination to manifest destiny - and to do so through your own choosing and not by the chains of your subconscious. It's with this understanding: that imagination isn't controlled by morals or knowledge; but rather influenced by both in regard to the individual imagining - we can begin to explore the different sides of an overly imaginative mind. Because it should seem to us clear then why it is both a blessing and a curse; depending on the inner and outer world of the person in question - both of which are largely connected and one the same.
The Peculiar Particulars about Pareidolia
Pareidolia is the curious tendency of the mind's perception to impose meaningful interpretation on seemingly trivial and useless stimuli, often visual. This means that with pareidolia one detects an object, pattern, or meaning where there is none. The most common example is that of seeing faces, animals, or other things in clouds, rocks, or other visual patterns. It may also extend to the auditory; like hearing music or human speech in noise like a car engine or similar. As well as hearing hidden messages in songs when played backward or in a different pitch from the original. The illusory facial recognition in faceless objects is believed to be due to our social nature and need to recognise and read faces in our everyday lives. People who display autistic traits are less likely to experience pareidolia; further implying the brain's ability to read and understand facial expression and speech is largely to blame for the phenomenon of pareidolia. These functions take a good deal of imagination; since when we engage empathetically by reading another person's emotions through their body language we imagine what they feel. Our understanding only goes as far as we can imagine it to do, we project our imagination on the minuscule details: like their tone of voice, and the choice of words, and read from it according to our own mindset. This doesn't always guarantee an accurate understanding of what a person is communicating - as we discussed previously imagination isn't set in stone and its expressions depend almost entirely on our own feelings. If we feel insecure, anxious, and stressed - it is easy to interpret through the lens of paranoia.
We imagine that their behaviour is off, that they are keeping something from us, or that the people close to us secretly dislike us and are plotting against us. Our imagination amplifies the unreliable and insecure feelings we have and it makes it nearly impossible to interpret it positively. In our paranoia the pareidolia becomes an interpretation of evil - we see demonic and bad faces all around us, found in every faceless object surrounding us. If we allow this to sit with us we fence in ourselves with imaginary foes and enemies, and our imagination makes an enemy of ourselves - one who knows our every weakness and insecurity.
Hospitality to the Hostile
We are all our own worst critics - we may speak to ourselves in ways we would never let anyone else talk about us, or say horrible things we would never even dream to say to another person. Our imagination which is a great asset becomes a horrendous burden and we unconsciously use it to ruin ourselves. We surround ourselves with a cloud of negativity which blocks us from seeing any way out of it. The imaginary enemy lurks around every corner and we are stuck in a psychic war against ourselves. These hostile thoughts exist largely because we welcome them - we allow them to linger, and in some messed up way we enjoy their company. They make us feel, and feel strongly at that - they justify our misery and our circumstances. They are the perfect scapegoat for all our bad choices and decisions, for our laziness and inability to do anything. "It's just the way we are" - we say and shrug, pointing towards the darkness that surrounds us. They tell us to be content and that we are undeserving of anything else, they feign support and tell us that we can't do better - that we don't deserve better. In this company, our judgment is clear as mud and our motivation and discipline dwindles. We constantly work against ourselves, sabotaging and scheming to hinder ourselves from doing better.
It's important to remember that these thoughts and so-called imaginary foes aren't real. They are not based on facts, in truth and say nothing about our true character. These thoughts aren't some hidden secret we have - they are intrusive and simply just imaginative. Undiscerning right and wrong they simply are, and they exist solely as experiments, as potentialities that can be followed or ignored. Ignore your enemies, ignore their slander and pettiness - focus on the strength of your friends. Turn your attention towards the light of your heart and unapologetically approach your imagination with compassion and humility. You are not your thoughts - you can simply choose which thoughts to listen to and ignore. You have the right judgment - trust in this. You were given an intellect that you have been developing for many years now, and you have been led to the light by grace - trust that this will see you through and that you will not be led astray. Approach it with humility and realise that you are blessed to be so imaginative and that is a great strength; it is a boon you will use to conquer the challenges you are set to face. Remind yourself:
We are no better than the company we keep - so let us cast out these imaginary foes and instead welcome imaginary friends.
Friendly Faces
Replace the ones that should stand against you rather than by you; embrace the side of your imagination which is positive and supportive, and surround yourself with imaginary friends. The ones that cheer you on, the ones that help you improve, and that smile whenever you spot them. Let your imagination run wild with infinite possibilities and an optimism that borders on delusional. Let them guide you and help you, they're your greatest supporters, and when no one else is around to encourage you trust in your imagination to uplift you. Your imagination is a powerful thing and you'd do well to use it for good rather than bad. The imaginary friends and enemies you have made are all by your choice - rid yourself of the wicked ones and do not listen to their criticism, their nagging, and their complaining. Listen to the uplifting words of your good side, the dreamers and the hopeless romantics - fall in love with these parts of yourself, these parts that unconditionally love the world and its works. They will help you in your work, and they will assist you in your most lonely hours, and trust me you will have to do some things alone. It's gonna be the only time you will get certain things done, and then in that loneliness, it is good to have imaginary friends. Something to give you a little pep in your step - something to sweep you off your feet and take you by storm.
When you're surrounded by imaginary friends you're truly never alone - loneliness is not a feeling that you will know. You will know happiness, comfort, and many others, but loneliness will be a stranger to you. For it is equally possible to feel lonely when you're with others as it is it to feel lonely when you're alone. Do your work honestly, righteously, and with love and you will never be alone. As Albert Einstein put it:
"Although I am a typical loner in my daily life, my awareness of belonging to the invisible community of those who strive for truth, beauty, and justice has prevented me from feelings of isolation."
The Company of the Solitary
We've discussed much of what imagination is and what comes with it - both good and bad. Imagination allows you to dream and picture anything - but you better learn how to keep it in check and how to surround yourself with the right kind of imagination. The imaginative mind is always working, always conjuring up something new, whether that's a curse or a blessing depending on the mind. It depends on what you feed it, what you keep around yourself, and how you interact with your imagination. Do you foster an environment for positivity and encouragement? Then the faces you find hiding in the tapestry will reflect this state of mind. Do the walls come crumbling down by the weight of your paranoia? Do you think every smile hides something more sinister and does it make you want to give up? Trusting no one - how can you trust yourself and what you feel, think, and want to do? Of course, you can't - and your imagination will only hinder you as it comes up with clever excuses and obstacles in your way. It is better to make a lasting friendship with your imagination than to fight against it.
Treat the good imagination with hospitality and do not house imaginary foes - kick them out and let them linger no more. As an artist or any kind of creative person, you're bound to be overflowing with imagination on some days. This can be both good and bad, if you're anything like me you might find yourself suffering needlessly by your own mind, the upside to this, and I think perhaps a necessity to the life of an artist - is the imaginary friends that surround you. I think a rich inner world often leads to people becoming ascetic or introverted in their day-to-day life; but it can also lead to the opposite. Some people can't stand their imagination - they must listen to white noise, or distract themselves by any means they can - because their imaginary friends in their lonely heads are so nasty they can't stand the company of their thoughts. It doesn't have to be that way - but avoiding it and shoving it aside, really doesn't do anything to resolve the problem. Imagination can't be ignored. It can be directed and controlled, but also more importantly, as it is a by-product of the mind - it mimics what goes into the mind. Pleasantry, good words, and good vibes all make for a more positive and enjoyable imagination. It is important to be comfortable in yourself - ultimately you are alone, all of the time, and wherever you go - there you are. There's no escaping yourself or your mind, might as well make it a nice place. By maintaining, cleaning, and caring for your head it will become a space you enjoy being in. Perhaps make sure it's not too comfortable in there, after all, you're still living here in this world as well.
