Unreal Word : Explanation
Unreal Word
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While this quote seems simple at first glance, it touches on a deeply personal and universal truth about human life. For many of us, it reflects the idea that the reality we live in on a daily basis feels distant from our inner self. We may live, work, and interact in the physical world, but our true sense of reality - the world that resonates with our soul - exists elsewhere.
For some, that world is opened up by the simple act of opening a book. For others, it may be painting, playing a musical instrument, tending a garden, writing poetry, or engaging in a sport they love. The “book” in this quote is symbolic. It is not a literal book, but a metaphor for the passion that brings a person alive, the personal space where they feel most self-aware. This “book” is the gateway to the inner realm that has been within them since birth. A world that is not defined by external circumstances and is shaped by their deepest inclinations, experiences, and dreams.
Symbolism in the Artwork
The visual art used to explain the quote deepens its meaning. In the center is an open book, which diffuses light and reveals a serene landscape. A river flows through the green fields, watering the trees, and a palace in the distance. This is the inner world of passion and contentment. It is beautiful, peaceful, and full of possibilities.
Surrounding the book are shadowy, almost ghostly figures with shining eyes. These represent the harsh realities, fears, and struggles of life, primarily the pressures of work, the monotony of daily life, and the weight of responsibilities. Their dark forms are deliberately chosen to create a contrast between the oppressive external world and the bright inner world.
The moment the book is opened, light floods into the scene. The dark forms are pushed back so that they cannot touch this inner sanctuary. This means that indulging in one's passion can remove the burden of reality, at least temporarily, and allow him to breathe freely in their chosen space.
Example:
Imagine a police officer who is dedicated to his job. On the outside, society sees him first and foremost as a police officer: someone with authority, a special uniform, responsibilities, and a certain image. When people see him, they might ask about his department, his duties, his salary, or the challenges he faces every day. To the outside world, his job defines him.
However, inside, he has another identity - perhaps that of a literary lover. When his shift is over, he retreats to his books. When he opens them, he is no longer a police officer bound by duty and protocol. He is transported into a realm of imagination, emotion, and perception that no one else can fully see. That is his “real” world, the place where he feels most alive and fulfilled. The fulfillment he finds here is not something created overnight; it is a part of his soul, nurtured since childhood.
Only a few people in his life - perhaps his closest friends, family, or life partner - truly understand this dimension of him. In other parts of the world, the police uniform will always surpass the poet, the dreamer, or the reader.
Passion Versus Profession
This idea resonates with many. We live in a society where survival and stability often force us to choose careers that are not aligned with our deepest passions. For many, the dream of merging passion and career remains unfulfilled. They rely on their chosen job to provide financial security, even if it does not fulfill their soul. In such cases, passion becomes a refuge - a private sanctuary where one's true nature can flourish, even in the hours stolen from work.
That is why the quote begins, "In an unreal world...". Here, "unreal" does not mean imaginary; it means a world that feels disconnected from one's inner truth. It is a life shaped by external demands, social expectations, and the roles assigned to us, rather than the world we would choose if passion alone could sustain us.
As symbolized in the quote “Open my book,” the moment the person indulges in their passion – they step into the real world for them. The difference between these two worlds is clear: one feels imposed, the other feels chosen.
My Message
Every person carries a private world inside, a world where their soul feels most at home. This inner world is shaped by passion, not by profession; by personal truth, not by public expectation. The outside world always label us based on our roles, jobs, or social standing, but the essence of who we are is often hidden beneath these labels.
"In an Unreal World, Until I Open My Book" is a call to honour that inner space. While the outside world remains unchanged, our inner world reminds us of who we truly are and who we have always been.