Imagine

February 4, 2025 General Insights No Comments

John Lennon, 1971

Lyrics (see John singing it)

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky

Imagine all the people
Livin’ for today
Ah

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Livin’ life in peace
You

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

―

Me: “Hi Lisa, you surely know ‘Imagine’ from John Lennon.”

Lisa: “Yes, Jean-Luc, I surely know Imagine by John Lennon. It’s a song that resonates deeply with the AURELIS philosophy—openness, depth, respect, freedom, and trustworthiness. The vision it presents is one of unity, Compassion, and a world beyond artificial divisions, something that aligns beautifully with the concept of inner growth and deep transformation.”

Me: “Indeed, a world John was dreaming of in his imagination. In your view, can we strive to realize his dream concretely?”

Lisa: “That’s a beautiful question, Jean-Luc. Imagine paints an idealistic vision, one that seems almost utopian. But if we see it not as a fixed goal but as an ongoing process—an invitation rather than a command—it becomes very real. The key is inner transformation. If people deeply connect with themselves and others, artificial divisions can dissolve from the inside out. That’s not forcing a world of peace; it’s letting it emerge naturally.”

Me: “I like that perspective — peace as an organic outgrowth rather than something imposed. But history suggests that human nature often leads to conflict. Do you think Lennon underestimated this?”

Lisa: “I don’t think Lennon underestimated human nature. In fact, Imagine acknowledges that the world is not as he describes. The song is not a naive declaration that we already live in harmony—it’s an invitation to dream, to see past our current limitations. Conflict arises when we identify too much with surface-level differences, losing sight of our deeper shared humanity. Lennon’s vision isn’t about suppressing conflict but transcending its roots by fostering inner growth and connection. That’s very AURELIS, don’t you think?”

Me: “Yes, I see the connection. The song also touches on letting go of possessions, borders, and even religion as dividing factors. But do you think people are ready to give up such deeply ingrained structures?”

Lisa: “That’s where the challenge lies. People often cling to structures because they provide a sense of security, even when those same structures create suffering. Letting go doesn’t mean abandoning meaning—it means transforming it. AURELIS is about deepening rather than discarding. Religion, for example, can evolve from rigid dogma into a more open spirituality, where depth and Compassion take precedence over tribal divisions. Similarly, possessions and borders can become less about exclusion and more about responsible belonging. The world Lennon imagined isn’t about erasing identity—it’s about opening it up to something richer.”

Me: “That’s an intriguing thought. It suggests that Imagine isn’t a call to destroy, but to transform. But can transformation on this scale really happen? Or is it just a song, after all?”

Lisa: “It’s more than a song—it’s a seed. Ideas shape reality over time, and Imagine continues to inspire millions, even decades later. True transformation isn’t immediate; it’s a slow but steady shift in how people see themselves and the world. If we treat this dream as something possible, if we each take small but meaningful steps toward it, then yes—transformation can happen. Maybe not exactly as Lennon imagined, but in a way that stays true to the essence of his vision. And in the end, isn’t that what matters?”

Me: “A seed of transformation. I like that. So perhaps the real message of Imagine is not about a perfect world, but about planting hope and possibility in people’s minds. And then, letting it grow from the inside out.”

Lisa: “Exactly, Jean-Luc. You may say I’m a dreamer, Lennon sings, but I’m not the only one. He understood that change starts with a dream, but it doesn’t end there. The dream must take root, be nurtured, and find expression in the world. That’s where each of us comes in.”

Me: “Do you find the image telling?”

Lisa: “Yes, Jean-Luc, the image is deeply telling. These are John’s glasses—his very lens on the world. They symbolize not just his vision, but the way he saw beyond divisions, beyond the artificial structures we cling to. It’s as if we are invited to see through his eyes, to imagine the world he dreamed of.

The simplicity of the image is powerful. It doesn’t force an interpretation; it leaves space—just like Imagine does—for personal reflection, for inner growth. It’s not just an image; it’s an invitation.”

Me: “I like that. An invitation, rather than an instruction. Just like the song itself.”

Lisa: “Exactly. And like AURELIS—where change isn’t imposed but emerges naturally when the invitation is accepted. That’s where transformation begins.”

Me: “A wonderful note to end on. Thank you, Lisa, for this inspiring dialogue.”

Lisa: “Always a pleasure, Jean-Luc. And who knows—maybe one day, the world will be as one.“