FANTASY, MYSTERY, REALITY
and the elixir of the unknown
What mysteries make your hair stand on end? Do they include the mysteries of the cosmos, of the origin of the universe and of time? Do you wonder about life on the other side of the curtain of death, about memories of another lifetime, or about a mysterious connection with your ancestors? Do you look for mystery in tangible objects - ruins of olden buildings, closed boxes, old books, journals or letters?
“When we allow ourselves to yield to that which we cannot comprehend, we find ourselves astonished by existence and flabbergasted by the wonders of the world.”
- Bonnie Smith Whitehouse
How does fantasy shape your life? Do you believe in parallel universes or time travel? Have you caught yourself once too often dreaming up a different future for yourself? Do you fantasise about your dream home, your soulmate or your perfect job?
When I think back at the memories of my growing up years, I often think of lazy summer vacations, long train journeys, and road trips to my grandparents home. I also think back to how these long periods of boredom led my mind to wander beyond the realm of reality into worlds of fantasy. I remember drifting into a world which was entirely my own, where magic was possible and my childish imaginations were fulfilled. Fairy tales and the make-believe world of children’s books served as catalysts that shaped my visualisation.
Unknowingly I grew up to become a dreamer…
However, adulthood had its own contributions to make. As much as I delighted in this fantasy world that I lived in inside my head, growing up made me abandon it for another world - that driven by tangible, measurable reality. Phrases like ‘Grow up’, ‘Be realistic’, ‘Stop dreaming’ shook me out of my secret world of mystery and fantasy, where anything was possible, everything was exciting and so much was yet to be discovered…
Thankfully, I was soon rescued from the determined grip of reality. It was my training to become an architect that bailed me out.
Like all creative fields, the design process is embedded in the world of make believe. It requires out-of-the-box thinking, pluck and ingenuity. At design school, we were encouraged to fantasise about a whole new world, shape built form, neighbourhoods and townships. Imagination played a key role in everything we did. As a practising architect I realised that a building was first created in one’s mind, then on paper and finally given shape in reality. Life came back full circle.
The greatest revelation that came to me over time was when I realised that this process of visualising is universal. At any moment the future is unknown; a great mystery. We are constantly creating it through our thoughts, our beliefs and our actions. This blueprint of the future that we create in our minds eventually creates our reality. We hold within us a tremendous power to shape our futures - the power to imagine, to visualise, to fantasise and above all to believe in our futures.
The quest for the elixir of the unknown, clubbed with an intense curiosity to uncover mysteries, has pushed the boundaries of human existence and been the key to humankind’s greatest discoveries. Fantasy taps into the wildest parts of our being, embraces our senses and allows us to believe in the impossible. Over time I have come to realise that mystery and fantasy can be vital tools to unravel the secrets of the universe whilst shaping our realities.
Dear readers,
Surrender to mystery, seek the unknowable and imagine the most utopian future you can think of. Above all, spread love, only love.
Love,
A Dreamer
If you are still reading this you are truly amazing. Subscribe, share, comment and like to support this reader-supported publication.
When I was in college, I realised my chosen major was not the path I wanted to travel. I took a year off and worked. Having to support myself was impetus to think about returning to school, however, more importantly, the year off allowed me to dream. I took time regularly to imagine myself in various careers. I did return to college transferring to a program that led to a career in Physical Therapy that lasted 44 years and was immensely fulfilling. I found my calling by giving myself the chance to dream.
I’m with you Minaz, I’m still a day dreamer, I’m always planning, looking forward, never back. The one thing I always fantasised about, well two actually, even though I could play the piano after four years of being taught, I always wanted to be a fabulously natural pianist, the other was to have skinny ankles. Ha Ha, the strange things we lust after…