The Imagination

[D. Allan]

Very imaginative thought, Alien!!! :)

[abelisle]

What immediately came to mind for me in regard to this topic is Northrop Frye's Educated Imaginationwith the emphasis on how literature is the best way for people to educate their imaginations but Club brings up an interesting concept - that of the sanctified imagination.

I believe our imaginations are the aggregate of the collective unconscious as Jung spoke about with all of its universal archetypes. Think about this - when we dream, how is it that all of humanity has similar dreams with similar symbols (archetypes) no matter how well they were educated. But when one has that metanoic experience of Romans 12:2, does their imagination now become sanctified as well as educated?

William James also spoke about these noetic experiences that are embedded in our imaginations in his book The Varieties of Religious Experience

Do we have a deeper and more profound access to preternatural archetypes after we become transformed by the renewing of our minds?

Does this new sanctified imagination allow us some slight pentration into the inscrutable ways of God? Milton tried to explain the ways of God to man in his opus Paradise Lost

If one wants to take a look into a sanctified imagination, read this book. EGW borowed a lot of stuff from Milton or just maybe they were both inspired? For some Adventists, this possibility might not sit well if someone else is put on her same pedestal.

Hmm . . . something to ruminate about.

Alex

[Gail]

There's been some GREAT ruminating going on here!

[Tom Wetmore]

I would like to pick up on the control of imagination point. I think that imagination at its best is out of control. Think brain storming; out of the box thinking; out of the comfort zone. Some of the most wildly creative things are out there beyond the edges of ordinary imagination. I think we are often afraid to let go and leap over the edge imagination-wise. Imagination and fear cannot work well together. In fact if one fears the unknown, getting out of the box and reaching for the stars and beyond is impossible.

They say that insanity and genius are very close. The difference is that one works and when it doesn't it's the other. http://insanityorgenius.com/

Creativity is imagination that returns to earth with the adventure of exploring the edge of the unknown. It is harnessing the stars for a ride through your neighborhood.

Some of my most memorable experiences have been of living on the razor's edge of control. The beauty of imagination is that you get the same adrenaline rush, the same thrill, the same sense of unfettered freedom without the risk of death even if you take the next step off the razor's edge. You get to live to tell about it.

[Gibs]

I am thinking the most unproductive imagining is against the Lord and what He has given in His Word. Na 1:9 asks about imagining against the Lord. Then tells us He will make an utter end.

Well am I imagining things or that He sure will and soon. I also imagine it will be a lot sooner than most think. I imagine most are not ready. I imagine most are having too much fun to think about getting ready. Oh man I better quit this imagining things.

Are dreams in the night of the imagination gone out a flying around? Some people have very wild ones. I don't have many myself but my wife does and talks out loud every night. Glad she sleeps in another bedroom, she may be talking about me I imagine.

Any way do you imagine it ought to be controlled?