The dynamics of imaginals

CEBU, Philippines - The future is present today in the form of imaginals. Nature does work wonders. But it takes a Norie Huddle book to explain in layperson's poetic language how an important lesson in biology - as in the transformation of a worm into a butterfly - would want to empower current society to envision a new future.

"The caterpillar's new cells [after it has painstakingly built its cocoon] are called imaginal cells," Huddle began. "They resonate at a different frequency. They are so totally different from the caterpillar cells that his immune system [that is the immune system of the worm] thinks they [the new imaginal cells] are enemies…and gobbles them up…But these new imaginal cells continue to appear, more and more of them!"

Huddle went on to elaborate that "pretty soon, the caterpillar's immune system cannot destroy them fast enough. More and more of the imaginal cells survive."

And then an amazing thing happens! "The little tiny lonely imaginal cells start to clump together into friendly little groups. They all resonate together at the same frequency, passing information from one to another. Then, after a while, another amazing thing happens! The clumps of imaginal cells start to cluster together…a long string of clumping and clustering imaginal cells, all resonating at the same frequency, all passing information from one to another inside the chrysalis."

Huddle then described that "at some point, the entire long string of imaginal cells suddenly realizes all together that it is 'something'. Different from the caterpillar. Something new! Something wonderful!...and in that realization is the shout of the birth of the butterfly!"

Each new butterfly cell can take on a different job, this was pointed out. "There is something for everyone to do, and everyone is important. And each cell begins to do just that very thing it is most drawn to do. And every other cell encourages it to do just that. A great way to organize a butterfly and a great way to organize a butterfly movement!"

Metamorphosis as a powerful metaphor

MISSION, which stands for Movement of Imaginals for a Sustainable Society through Initiatives, Organizing and Networking, is committed to creating a better country.

Its members are described to be "amazing individuals from all walks of life who are already creating the foundations of a better society."

They are engaged in poverty eradication, cultural work, socially responsible and green businesses, film, design, organic farming, environmental regeneration, community organizing, youth empowerment, peace building, anti-corruption, national and global advocacy work, new spirituality, healing, micro finance, new governance, visionary education, leadership training, media, and so on.

In a recent launch on a book which is a tell-all story of this new movement, it was learned that despite the relatively unknown concept of imaginals to the general public, MISSION wants to use this obscure but profound idea as an occasion to explain the meaning, importance and indispensability of imaginals in the quest for a better world.

Take note that the imaginal cells, according to the science of biology, begin to develop after the worm builds a womb (cocoon). It dissolves itself into liquid form, and undergoes a process of profound transformation inside this womb. Scientists call these new cells imaginal because they are the cells that form the butterfly. They are the imagination of a future reality - the organism called butterfly.

According to MISSION, similarly the transformation of any struggling society (the "worm") begins with "imaginal individuals." These individuals already embody the future in their present deeds and initiatives. The future form of a sustainable society starts becoming a reality in the present when these imaginals act on and implement an image of the future and then organize and form networks with other imaginal individuals to turn this positive image of the future into reality and transform the ecological, cultural, economic and political landscape of the country.

Nicanor Perlas' latest  body of work

The ideals of MISSION and the dynamics of imaginals are explained comprehensively in the book "MISSION POSSIBLE! Sow Courage; Harvest a New World" launched at the Aula Magna of Basilica del Sto. Niño last October 16.

Author Nicanor Perlas, recipient of the Alternative Nobel Prize and Outstanding Filipino Award, graced the launch. In a program, he emphasized how MISSION is energizing Filipinos from all walks of life in many parts of the country to "truly serve the Philippines and the world through a startling, innovative and effective approach to change."

Such is illustrated in the said book. Contents define "how such a feat is possible amid all the hindrances in life."

Moreover, it makes the case for "how, from empowered individuals with a real sense of their own truth and from collectives of such individuals, new institutions, new societies, new worlds will arise."

"The movement has incorporated the dynamics of imaginals in its name to emphasize a central point: there can be no authentic sustainable society if individuals in that society do not undergo a path of inner change and self-transformation," Perlas enthused.

During the open forum, Perlas stressed how we should learn from the worm as it dissolves itself. "It dies to its present form and possibilities. Likewise, an imaginal individual is willing to undergo the existential pain that arises from dissolving an existing friendship, world view, and lifestyle if these have become obstacles to the pursuit of integral human and societal development."

The idea was beautifully and meaningfully put this way: The imaginal individual becomes detached or "homeless" to what many in society have accepted as "normal" --- poverty, corruption, environmental destruction, mis-education, exploitation, conflict, and so on. The imaginal individual has the courage to take up the challenge of transforming the "normal" into "healthy."

That is another way of saying that creative new powers arise in metamorphosis - a process of inner purification. The imaginal individual "develops a new and more comprehensive and inclusive identity as well as a deeper understanding of and commitment to a sustainable society. These creative new powers are ultimately spiritual in nature."

"The new can never come from a repetition of the old. That is why imaginals tap into their inner creativity to birth the new. And this inner creativity is nothing but one expression of the spiritual capacities latent in all human beings," Perlas noted.

Take note that there's much more to the 384-page book which will be carried by the 38 National Bookstore outlets nationwide and the 500 Anvil outlets in various schools and universities. It provides rich insights into creative living. Pegged at P450/copy, the book is actually light reading material dashed with three chapters of science devoted to present footprints of a creative process in reaching a "new cultural society, essential to the future of humanity."