Process of Imagination

Too many times, it s observed that philosophy is not "thought about" - leave alone discussed. The focus on the dimension of ethics/ morality and feelings takes one to the layer of philosophy. This is similar to observing one's thoughts through one's medium of existence itself. In other words, the question is - how is one imagining things? Let it not be forgotten, that pure consciousness bounded by space and time, creates thoughts (or imagination of existence - also called 'Maya' in Hindu philosophy) which lead to a process of expressing an action thereby implying an anticipated outcome/ result/ manifestation, which in turn fuels back imagination for the next series of actions.

This is a cyclic process - from inward consciousness to outward manifestation; and from interpretation of outward manifestation to consciousness. Constant and beyond the clutches or the veil of Time is consciousness itself. This fundamental fact is layered and layered with the tendency of existence to remain attached to thoughts - to such an extent that 'we' tend to forget this connection and therefore we need to remind ourselves of this higher Dimension of existence.

I agree that it is not at all easy to remain aware of consciousness every single moment and to treat thoughts as being incidental. Thoughts seem very real - and no doubt, they are. They need to be treated with respect (as a phenomena in themselves) and just as Rumi has said - treat them as guests - letting them come, reside and depart and 'you' being the host. Intrinsic in this idea is the notion of being witness to our thoughts and actions. Very tough. It is so easy to be angry or be fearful or be consumed by any of the negative emotions that we run the risk of being blinded by the force of such thoughts. uncertainty, as a reality, is a given. However, 'fear' is optional - or needs constant working. It is only by remaining in the vicinity of great thoughts that expand our limited minds and offer a nano second glimpse of the unbounded potential of consciousness - that we can hope to progress in a constructive manner. This means to know such books, articles, literature, art, people, situations that generate such state of mind. To keep immersed in doing such actions that lift the veil of bondage that weighs us down unnecessarily. There isn't anything else to work on - but our own tendency of remaining attached or dictated by fear - instead of what should be done.

This brings us to intentions behind actions. Almost throughout our lives, if we aren't aware, our thoughts and actions stem out of fear (primarily of death). This creates a necessity to control everything and an endless cycle of desires that propels actions. The problem with this approach is that the actions are loaded with expectations of results (mostly concerning control) but rather than accomplishing anything, they create more desires or different desires, since our criteria of evaluation (or of decoding) are wrong  - all pointing out to our tendency to remain "sunk" in the attachment of body and mind. If attachment is with body, the circle of awareness is too small. If it is with the mind, it is bigger. And with practice, the circle can be made more larger till it becomes boundless.

The question is how can we grow this circle? There's no straight forward solution and neither there is one universal approach applicable to all. Ask yourself - what is this 'you' that you are so concerned about and why? This question will reveal a lot of connections the mind constructs and the compulsions behind those connections. Over a period of time, you may be able to realize, which connections need to be dropped, which connections you unnecessarily carry with you, and which are to be retained - as they signify the idea and the experience of consciousness. With such study, a process towards imagining life is revealed. Once that process is undertaken, the journey to consciousness is evident. Key elements in this approach are - compassion, forgiveness, doing an act without expectations, the idea of larger good, duty, delight, aesthetics. This becomes the default mode of imagining life and any expression - architecture included, comes out of this mode.