Significance of Imagination
Synonyms: Creativity, Invention, Innovation, Fantasy, Vision, Ingenuity, Resourcefulness, Daydreaming, Inspiration, Originality, Artistry
In Dutch: Verbeelding; In Finnish: Mielikuvitus; In Spanish: 滨尘补驳颈苍补肠颈贸苍; In German: Vorstellung
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Imagination'
In Buddhism, imagination is viewed as the mind's conceptual fabrications that distort reality, causing misconceptions about existence and identity. This highlights the importance of understanding the mind's creations to attain clarity and insight.
From: Lankavatara Sutra
(1) Conceptual fabrications generated by the mind that do not represent reality, often leading to misunderstandings about existence and identity.[1]
Hindu concept of 'Imagination'
In Hinduism, Imagination, or 'Kalpana', encompasses the mental processes shaping reality, distinguishing between perception and illusion, influencing cognitive experiences, and allowing the creation of concepts beyond sensory experience, often leading to misinterpretations of truth.
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The mental faculty that perceives unreal or false notions, such as perceiving a snake where there is only a rope.[2] (2) The mental process through which the Atman conceives and shapes both internal and external realities, also referred to as 'Kalpana'.[3]
From: Mandukya Upanishad
(1) Imagination describes the Maya or the forgetting that allows the Absolute to project the illusions and diversity of Creation.[4]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) The creative or speculative capacity of the mind, identified as one of its principal functions.[5]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) Imagination is the mental capability to form new ideas or concepts that are not immediately presented to the senses.[6] (2) The mental faculty that allows for the creation of images and concepts not currently present in reality.[7] (3) A cognitive process that can generate forms of cognition that are generally accepted, differing from unreal cognition.[8] (4) The mental process that can distort perception of reality, leading to untrue or fanciful knowledge.[9]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The mental faculty that creates images or concepts and is often confused with reality.[10] (2) The mental process that creates perceptions and beliefs about existence, often misleading the individual about the true nature of reality.[11] (3) A mental process that creates images and concepts, often leading to the perception of things that lack real existence.[12]
From: Naishadha-charita of Shriharsha
(1) Cognitive aspect that influences Nala鈥檚 experiences and feelings about Damayanti amidst uncertainty.[13]
The concept of Imagination in local and regional sources
Imagination encompasses a diminishing yet adept ability to reproduce experiences, fosters personal connections and unity, serves as the transformative medium in Savitri, and deepens comprehension of existence beyond the physical, as highlighted by various thinkers.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) This is a waning vigour of which employs desperate dexterity in the present day art for reproducing shocks.[14] (2) The realm where the epic poem Savitri's assurances and transformations are said to take place.[15] (3) A crucial faculty for perceiving beyond the physical realm; according to Blake, it enables a more profound understanding of existence.[16] (4) A vital faculty that enables personal connection to the world and creates feelings of oneness, according to Tagore.[17]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This is a faculty that can be used to visualize the Kundalini, and the more powerful the imagination, the more quickly the real result will be attained and the Kundalini awakened.[18]