Imagine

The more people dream of a world at peace, the closer we get to making it a reality.

Imagine the clouds dripping, dig a hole in your garden to put them in.

Yoko Ono

John Lennon's legendary song Imagine was deeply influenced by the avant-garde artist and his wife, Yoko Ono. One of the song’s key inspirations comes from a poem in Ono’s 1964 book “Grapefruit”.

The poem, titled “Cloud Piece” and later reproduced on the back cover of the original Imagine album, reads: “Imagine the clouds dripping, dig a hole in your garden to put them in.” Lennon later acknowledged that much of the song’s lyrics and concept should have been credited to Yoko. “A lot of it came from her, but back then I was more selfish and macho,” Lennon admitted. He reflected on how he had “sort of omitted her contribution,” but in reality, Imagine was heavily inspired by Ono's conceptual thinking, right out of her book “Grapefruit”.

Some 53 years later, as old as I am, Imagine remains one of the most covered songs of all time and continues to stand as a powerful symbol of the ongoing pursuit of world peace.

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky
Imagine all the people
Livin' for today
Ah
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Livin' life in peace
You
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

John Winston Lennon

A couple of years ago, Alison Manning led me through an unforgettable coaching session where I envisioned myself 20 years into the future. The image was so vivid—my silver-streaked hair cascading freely, a vibrant, very colourful flowing dress catching the breeze, and my bare feet sinking into the warm sand of a tranquil beach. It felt more like a memory than a vision as if I were already living that moment. Can you guess where my soul feels most at home?

Anyway, I looked like a Croatian hippy version of Patti Smith.

Everyone talks about peace but no one educates for peace. In this world, they educate for competition, and competition is the beginning of any war. When educating to cooperate and owe each other solidarity, that day we will be educating for peace.

Maria Montessori

John Lennon’s Imagine is often celebrated as one of the most timeless and powerful songs of the 20th century. Released in 1971, it became an anthem for peace, hope, and unity. The simplicity of the piano melody, paired with Lennon's sincere and thought-provoking lyrics, carries a message that transcends time. But what’s behind the words, and how does it relate to the world today?

The Message of Imagine

The song invites listeners to envision a world without barriers—whether it be national, religious, or material. Lennon challenges us to imagine life without the divisiveness of countries ("Imagine there are no countries"), without religious dogma separating people ("and no religion too"), and without the greed that creates inequality ("Imagine no possessions"). The recurring theme is one of harmony, a utopia where people are free from the constructs that lead to conflict and suffering.

At its heart, Imagine speaks to a deep yearning for unity and peace. Lennon is asking us to set aside our differences, the "isms" that divide us—be they political, religious, or economic—and focus on our shared humanity. It’s about dissolving the imagined borders we place between ourselves and others.

A Radical Ideal Wrapped in Simplicity

On the surface, the song might sound like a naive dream, but Lennon knew it was a radical call. He was aware that asking people to "imagine no possessions" or "no religion" would be controversial, yet he believed that if we can dream of a better world, it’s the first step to creating one. The power of the song lies in its simplicity—both in the arrangement and in the directness of the lyrics. It’s not weighed down by complex musical techniques or poetic metaphors, making its message all the more accessible and potent.

In an interview, Lennon said Imagine was "virtually the Communist Manifesto," a statement about his belief in the need for a global shift toward a more equitable society. The utopian vision it offers, while idealistic, is also aspirational. He’s not asking us to dismantle everything we know but rather to think about the kind of world we could create if we stopped clinging so tightly to the divisions that cause suffering.

Resonance with Today’s World

Fast forward to today, Imagine remains as relevant as ever. We live in a world where conflicts over national identity, religion, and material wealth are still at the forefront of global issues. Borders continue to divide nations, refugees flee war-torn countries, and the gap between the rich and poor grows wider. Religious and ideological extremism fuel violence and environmental crises remind us that our obsession with consumerism comes at a cost to the planet.

At the same time, we see movements that echo the spirit of Imagine. The calls for climate justice, racial equality, gender rights, and economic fairness reflect the song’s plea for a world where humanity comes before hierarchy. Global initiatives, like the fight against climate crisis or the rise of social justice movements, are modern-day manifestations of Lennon’s hope for a more compassionate, interconnected world.

The pandemic also served as a poignant reminder of how interconnected we truly are. Borders couldn't stop the virus, nor could wealth or status. It levelled the playing field in many ways, exposing deep societal inequalities but also highlighting the potential for global unity when faced with common challenges.

A Song of Hope

While Lennon asks us to imagine a better world, he acknowledges that it might seem like an impossible dream. The line "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one" invites others to join in this shared vision. It’s an anthem for those who dare to hope, who refuse to give up on the idea that a peaceful world is possible. In a world that often feels fragmented, the song reminds us that the act of imagining something better is, in itself, a form of resistance.

Imagine endures because it speaks to the universal desire for peace, unity, and love. Even in times of turmoil, the song remains a hopeful reminder that the possibility of a better world starts in our minds and hearts. If enough people can imagine it, perhaps it can one day become a reality.