Change Your Location, Change Your Destiny – The Power of Imagination

The power of imagination is extremely strong, and through it, we can significantly influence how we cope with challenges.

The Strong Influence of Imagination

According to the Malbim, a person has the power to create worlds through imagination and influence all of creation (Malbim Genesis 2, 7).

Imagination makes a person feel tangibly present in the imagined place, having a profound impact. The Sages say "Change of place, change of luck" (Rosh Hashanah 16, b), and the Rashba explains that it doesn't require a physical change of place; changing it through thought suffices, thereby changing one's destiny.

Additionally, imagination activates the entire body and its reactions, and it can lead one to act more positively towards change. Listening to relaxation discs that bring us to nature can help one relax and from that state, make positive changes from the good feeling.

Imagination gives strength to cope. A person is where their thoughts are. Even someone suffering can feel relief by imagining they are in a good place.

Using positive imagery also has a significant effect, as it stimulates the imagination and strongly influences the subconscious. Thus, we should avoid negative imagery like "I’m wrung out like a rag." Instead, use positive imagery like, "I’m full of energy like a motor" or "I’m flowing with ideas like a river" and so on.

How Does Imagination Affect Us So Strongly?

Science writer Michael Talbot writes in his book that the human subconscious does not differentiate between imagination and reality. Therefore, when one vividly imagines an event, the subconscious accepts it as reality, generating emotions and bodily changes accordingly. For example, if you imagine a scary event, the body reacts as if it’s experiencing it, sometimes causing trembling, dizziness, sweating, and so on. People have overcome illnesses using this valuable tool.

Joseph LeDoux explains how this occurs physically: There is a part of the brain called the amygdala, located in the subconscious part of the brain, responsible for all automatic actions such as breathing, heartbeats, etc. The amygdala decides to act automatically and can sometimes seize one's choice in the initial moment until the conscious becomes aware, and then the person regains control.

When you see a certain sight or hear a certain sound, the information quickly reaches the amygdala, the seat of emotions, and only afterward to the conscious – the cognitive part. Therefore, initially, a person reacts automatically based on the information in the subconscious and emotion. For instance, sometimes you laugh or cry even if it’s inappropriate, and after a brief moment, the conscious mind understands the situation, and the person regains control and acts deliberately.

As mentioned, the subconscious translates imagination and memory as if they are happening in reality. So if someone suddenly sees in their imagination or recalls experiencing an imagined event – the amygdala reacts as if it’s happening now and mobilizes the body accordingly. If you don’t focus, it will pass after a few minutes. For imagination to influence us, we need to focus for an extended time, silence the conscious mind, close our eyes, and fully engage in the imagination as if it is the real moment – then there will be an impact on the body, soul, and our lives.

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