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Writer's pictureThomas Tittmann
Oct 96 min read

IMAGINE: All we need is LOVE

Updated: Oct 12

John Lennon, on this anniversary of the day you entered the world's concert stage, we salute you for the positive messages you and your band mates sang to remind us of what's most important...Your words join with others in the chorus of folks dedicated to peace...See "LOVE is the way" following this first image.


I snapped this earlier today while I was in the waiting area for my CT scan. Like John Lennon describes in the "BeatlesBible" link below, I, too, work on some posts all through my waking hours, jotting down thoughts and images in my phone and on scraps of paper...Some even appear during my twice daily centering prayer meditation times...Case in point - the young man's ink helped me with this post's title.


EXHIBIT #1


EXHIBIT #2


This appeared just now as I prepared a cup of tea for my writing afternoon...



Often misconstrued as anti-god, John's "Imagine" is one man's hope for a world that's better than our current one. This thought continues following "Four FABulous IMAGINE...ATIONS"...


LOVE is the way...


If you prefer another way to present Lennon's message, try this...



"Loving kindness is my religion" - The 14th Dalai Lama




It's the same message in all cultures...



Origins of Love – Quotes from Spiritual Traditions


Beneath everything that separates the world from itself, love holds us firm to one another. Here are ten perception-changing quotes on the concept and practicality of love – taken from some of the world’s great spiritual teachers.

“Love is like the flame of a lamp or candle. It cannot help but give light to others.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan, Sufism

“Love is the reality, and it is not a mere emotion. It is the great Truth that lies behind all of creation.” – Rabindranath Tagore, Hinduism

“One who loves all the world as if it were his own flesh and blood, can be relied upon to rule an empire.” – Lao Tzu, Taoism

“To truly understand the meaning of compassion means to understand the interdependence of all living beings. We are all part of one another.” – Thomas Merton, Roman Catholic

“Love implies that you are dividing yourself between the lover and the beloved. But if you find that place inside of you that is love, you will no longer even love yourself. You will just be love.” – Osho, Mystic

“I’m not interested in being a lover, I’m only interested in being love.” – Ram Dass, Hinduism

“My religion is simple and has no need for temples or philosophy, other than the philosophy of love. No matter what the person’s religious beliefs or lack of, there is no one who is not grateful for kindness and compassion.” – Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama

“In truly loving others, one can more naturally acquire the ability to let go of the world.” – Ramakrishna, Hinduism

“The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person’s suffering and bring that person joy.” – Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Buddhist


Reflection:

As we see from the wisdom of spiritual teachers, love is something every single human is capable of embracing, giving and receiving. And being able to practice it requires no training or special knowledge – only the realization of each of our desires to improve one another’s lives.


And these words of LOVE...


The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.“

Mark 12:29–31


“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”1 Corinthians 13:13


Four FABulous IMAGINE...ATIONS


"I no longer believe in the same god that John didn't believe in..."


Before we play his song, take a few minutes to listen to his candid and sometimes apologetic replies to critics:



The following video is included in the article:






...another DREAMER...



--the "dream" section starts at 12:21


...you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you..."

--Matt 23:37


GEORGE..."Make love all day long..."


George Harrison was instrumental in leading his mates to Indian classical music. One Wikipedia author notes about his "Love You To" song:


As with all of the songs written by Harrison or Lennon and recorded by the Beatles in 1966, the lyrics to "Love You To" marked a departure from the standard love-song themes that had defined the group's previous work.[42] Harrison presents a worldview that variously reflects cynicism,[1] sardonic humour and a degree of detachment with regard to personal relationships.[43] According to music critic John Harris, the lines "There's people standing round / Who'll screw you in the ground / They'll fill you in with all the sins you'll see" serve as one of the first examples of the Beatles' ideology aligning with that of the emerging 1960s counterculture, SOURCE


"Make love all day long

Make love singing songs"


These words are repeated in the song...






"With our love...we could change the world..."



--with his teacher Ravi Shankar



The video includes all the Beatles on one of their trips to meet with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi , Ravi Shankar and others...


"Within You Without You"


We were talking about the space between us all

And the people who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion

Never glimpse the truth, then it's far too late, when they pass away

We were talking about the love we all could share

When we find it, to try our best to hold it there with our love

With our love, we could save the world, if they only knew


Try to realise it's all within yourself

No one else can make you change

And to see you're really only very small

And life flows on within you and without you


We were talking about the love that's gone so cold

And the people who gain the world and lose their soul

They don't know, they can't see, are you one of them?


When you've seen beyond yourself then you may find

Peace of mind is waiting there

And the time will come when you see we're all one

And life flows on within you and without you



PAUL..more than "silly love songs..."


A few days ago, I sent this tune to Eileen to express my love and admiration for her faithfulness during my up and down periods of our 46 years together...

I still "wanna hold your hand" : )))))




RINGO's heartBEAT: "Give More LOVE"...





Further Reflections...



From 2023, a post inspired by a tune from the musical Prophet Robert (a.k.a., Bob Dylan):



"Abraham, Martin And John"...and JOHN


Anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?

Can you tell me where he's gone?

He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young

You know I just looked around and he's gone


Anybody here seen my old friend John?

Can you tell me where he's gone?

He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young

I just looked around and he's gone


Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?

Can you tell me where he's gone?

He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young

I just looked around and he's gone


Didn't you love the things that they stood for?

Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?

And we'll be free

Some day soon, it's gonna be one day


Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?

Can you tell me where he's gone?

I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill

With Abraham, Martin, and John





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