Imagination
A much-needed discussion to analyse the way we imagine.
Janki Insan candidly gave a young adult’s view on life as someone who has to attend classes and interact with people online more than in real life. Imagination became a necessity to preserve the sanctity of the lived human experience. If one puts their phone away, they are bogged by an anxiety of things to do, things they miss, conversations they will get excluded from, etc. She then expressed her views about imagination stemming from outward experiences. She said, “You have to have a variety of experiences.”
She continued with how as a person in the creativity industry, she has this feeling of being out of ideas. She feels as if she would miss information when she is offline. There are no limits to imagination — online and offline. She resolutely stated, “Imagination is not limited.” In response to perfection being brought into the discussion, she stated how, “Being prepared to imagine is a paradox.” She concluded with the role genetics play in a person being imaginative or otherwise. She encouraged us all, like Preeti to just BE.
Aman Chaudhary succinctly pointed out how imagination is the basis of everything new. Every new discovery and invention made on the planet came from someone’s imagination. He recommended how we need to move out of the small closet of our phones and move to open spaces so that more imagination flows into our brains. He said, “A mind needs open spaces for creating new ideas.”
He then brought a great example of James Bond movies to the discussion. 007 never follows a set track. He follows his own. He then highlighted the importance of being present in the moment to have an active imagination. He then said, “Imagination is information you put together and bring together.” He concluded by telling us how imagination can be constructive and destructive. It is something that just comes. It is the basis of everything.
Capt. Charanjit Lehal encouraged the younger people on the panel for their candour and pacified them by saying, “Imagination brings in fears and vulnerability. You should have the ability to support your ideas; ideas that still haven’t been tested and proven.” He shared how imagination helped him discover and realize his true potential. He added to the discussion of distraction and how it affects us all. He also endorsed how to imagine one has to stay connected to life. For that, distraction (i.e. gadgets and technology) is essential.
The conundrum is imagination in a world which is distracted. We keep creating problems for ourselves. We play into our own experiences. Then he said, “Imagination requires a can-do attitude.” It takes strength and wisdom to use what is known as imagination. One requires imagination to tackle things head on. The factors for imagination include the ability to be and the connection to be followed by the guts to stay. He counselled us to not let people affect you. He stated, “Make yourself strong enough to be able to tackle your flaws. To appreciate ideas requires support and trust à a plan to execute à reality.”
He concluded with, “Sitaron se age hain jahan aur bhi (there is a world beyond the stars) Leave things to you your imagination. Encourage your creative instinct. There is a process around creativity and imagination. Collaboration. Contemplation. Self-belief. Use it all for the well-being of society and the country.”
Binati Sheth was too overwhelmed by the technical glitches on her end to be a productive part of the discussion. She did however add how imagination is about living life in the moment then thinking about the lived human experience later on. Live your life. Observe the world. Be with people. Then think. Ask questions. That’s the food for an active imagination. She lamented about how people bring in perfection to imagination and ruin the party. Imagination and perfection don’t exist in the same universe. She concluded by citing the famous Indian concept of juggad (the ability to solve a problem using some unconventional techniques) and how imaginative it is in its core. She said, “The purpose of having an active imagination is to solve a problem. Allow yourself to run wild. Figure out the problems. Run wild s’more. Imagine the solutions. Live the good life.”
Preeti Chaudhary moderated the event spectacularly by giving everyone’s imagination a safe harbour to run wild. She created a safe space for people to be candid about their lived human experience; imaginative or otherwise. She quoted Einstein, “”Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Then she added to his quote, “Allow yourself to just be and not overthink things. That is what will kill your imagination.”
She talked about how creativity and imagination are linked. A person can use their positive or negative conscious and unconscious impulses to impact their imaginative prowess. She also added to the genetic or inherited aspect of creativity and imagination. She talked about the external and internal stimuli that triggers one’s imagination. She also urged us to focus on imagination rather than perfection. She concluded with her favourite parallel railways tracks analogy. “Imagination and perfection are two trains running on two parallel tracks with a set destination. If the tracks intersect, you have a disaster. If they don’t everyone reaches their destination.”
Please note:
Ted circles is a theme based monthly activity which focuses on impactful, meaningful conversations among people in all walks of life. For this circle, seven people gathered to discuss the topic to ensure they are not mere spectators but parts of the conversation. The event was held on 10th September at 3:00PM (IST). The agenda on the docket was ‘Imagination’. All the contributors were committed to discussing how imagination, creativity and distractions are deeper than they seem. The host of the event, Preeti Chaudhary invited Janki Insan, Aman Chaudhary, Capt. Charanjit Lehal and to the stage with Binati Sheth acting as the scribe for the event.
