Knowledge and Imagination

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” Einstein

Although there does seem to be enough knowledge available to deal with many of the ‘problems’ we confront in the ego’s nightmare, we seem to need a whole lot of imagination, intuition and centering in our reality as spirit to apply this knowledge. Imagination and intuition and spiritual centering are opposite mindsets to the ‘business as usual,’ mindset and suggest that ‘if you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got.’

So, if we’ve had enough of what we’ve been having, let’s use the knowledge we aren’t using along with imagination, intuition and centering to have something else – to apply the knowledge we have, discover new knowledge or a combination of both. A no brainer, right?

Well, you’d think so, but some people cling to their ignorance with a passion that keeps them and the rest of us stuck. Take for example the AIDS situation described in an article entitled “Southern Discomfort” in the current Utne Reader. One point before I get into the article. Part of the general ignorance embodied in the conventional wisdom is that ‘good’ folks – heterosexual Christians, can avoid AIDS by avoiding the ‘bad’ people – the non-white, alternatively sexed, that have it. Not true, absolutely not true. Read on.

The challenges specific to the Southern U S, a region cinched tightly by the Bible Belt, have resulted in disproportionately high rates of infection, as well as a very high percent of people living with HIV who don’t know they have it, and are therefore infecting all those ‘good’ folk. 36% of the US population live in the South, but half of all the people in the nation with HIV live there. The South has the highest rates of new HIV cases, half of new AIDS diagnoses, the largest numbers of adults and adolescents with HIV/AIDS, and the most AIDS deaths. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is raging across the Southern US like an out-of-control fire.

Programs to reach those in need and those at risk are probably not reaching those most in need. Tight fisted and impoverished state governments, and conservative attitudes toward sex have created a perfect storm of inadequate HIV care and prevention. Black churches are in denial and it’s hard to reach Latino populations due to the stigma and fear of immigration if treatment is sought.

Come on! Enough is enough! Let’s quit going in circles! Common sense, simple decency and self protection suggest we don’t have to support or agree with people in regard to sexual orientation, immigration status, or religious and political beliefs to use our compassion and imagination to overcome all the BS that isn’t working and apply the knowledge we already have along with our imagination, intuition and spiritual centering to fight for the right to stay healthy.