Embracing the power of the imaginal world

Here’s a little something I wrote for a recent conference proposal, and I hope it inspires you to value those quiet, unspoken knowings we all have. You know the ones—they don’t scream for attention, but they feel important. In fact, I’d argue they’re often more meaningful than anything we can actually see or measure.

The ancient Sufis believed in three realms: the world of the senses, the world of the intellect, and something they called the “imaginal world.” Now, the imaginal world isn’t make-believe—it’s a very real space of potential and possibility. But here in the West, we have a habit of overlooking anything we can’t quantify. Take a tree, for example. We focus on the branches, leaves, and fruit—the parts we can see. The roots? Sure, we know they’re there, but they’re underground, out of sight, so they don’t get much attention.

And what about an empty field? If it’s not producing something, we call it “fallow,” as if resting and recharging isn’t valuable. But that empty field holds so much potential, just waiting for the right time. The same goes for our inner visions.

Trusting What You Can’t See

It’s not always easy to trust those unseen whispers of intuition or possibility. When you have an inner vision, it’s not tangible—at least not yet. You might only sense it, like a faint glimmer of something just out of reach. And if that vision challenges the norm? Well, let’s just say it can feel a bit scary.

The imaginal world doesn’t hand us answers on a silver platter. Its messages show up in flashes of inspiration, fleeting symbols, or gut feelings. They’re subtle, and they’re easy to dismiss because they’re not always clear or convenient. But here’s the thing: they matter. It’s our job to protect and nurture those glimpses of possibility, even when they feel vague or uncertain.

Why This Matters for Our Planet

If you’re someone who cares deeply about the state of the world, this is especially important. The solutions we need won’t come from what we already know or what we think we can figure out with our current tools. Real answers—the kind that create meaningful change—live in the imaginal realm.

Just like roots beneath the soil, the imaginal holds the wisdom we need. It may be hidden, but it’s vital. So instead of rushing to solve everything with logic and reason, maybe it’s time to pause, listen, and trust that quiet, unseen guidance.

Today, let’s honor the unseen. Those subtle nudges, wild ideas, and quiet knowings—they’re the seeds of something important. What inner vision has been calling to you lately?