he human being, in order to set himself free from being a prisoner of nature and to take his place in the theme of existence, starts searching through deep thinking.
 In our times this fact is defined as “image change”.
In general, the introvert, shy individual who is even a stranger to himself  needs such a change very strongly.

While the civilized world gives much importance to  changing the   image in all the projects,  the individuals who are addicted to  this subject, keep on  praising the people who change  “their images”  In this manner, it becomes apparent that the  basic reason in dragging the people for  changing their images is  related to the desire of the people to remain standing.

It is thought that the image is a must  to create new worlds. The truth that lies behind  thinking and accepting it as a need, is the longing for to go beyond imitation, beyond one’s dreams and to go beyond the usual, monotonous way of life.   In other words, there is the desire for renewal.   By this motive even the shy and timid people  think that they are changing their  images by presenting different kind of behaviours in the society.

Today, our culture that is left as an inheritance from our ancestors is changing its  image under the name of “popular culture”. Any individual who tells other people to pass their behaviour towards others through the strainer of their conscience, to make a good calculation about themselves or if he/she tells them about the existence of free will  is accepted as if he/she has a different image.

However, people who defend creating a new image in a very  exaggerated way   actually agree with the opinion saying that   this is a total  deception and without any effect.

After a certain period of time, if  the expectations bring along going back to the past, it should be known that  it is not an image change. If a person who is changing his way of dressing, hair style in order to feel  different or if he gets bored by his reflection in the mirror tries to change his image  through aesthetics, then it is for certain that this imagination will not bring anything new.

All of these are far from explaining the image from the point of   “making the absoluteness”. Shortly, the reasons that keep the  continuity of monotony can’t be accepted as an image change.

If we look at the subject from this point, I’m among those who believe that an image is only a vision, a rough dream.

Consequently, this kind of image doesn’t provide a deep down change. To state an opinion on any  subject, it is necessary to make a research  and to be able to grasp the reasons regarding the change that it has created.

It is the same in the case of  the image.

The reason that forms the wish for a new image can be explained technically in the following manner:

The conscious forms the brain. The brain  works  partially, because only certain localized cells are being active. However, the conscious wants the other idle group of cells to become active.
So, upon the wish of the conscious this activity starts and its projections are definitely seen.

If , there is more intensive activity, in a way if it becomes more mature, then the change in the image is no longer an artificial one covering only the physical appearance. Instead the change  is based on meanings enabling  to have a comprehension of self.

Although there is less probability, if  this new capacity brings along the desired result, then the subject individual would have the manners of  Allah (Mekarim-I Ahlak). This shows that more than half of the brain cells are functioning.

If this situation is revealed by image change, naturally it is useful.

Though image is not everything, we have to accept that people need change definitely for some reason. Allah’s Rasul shows the best examples of this even in his daily duties. He didn’t choose to have a routine practice in his life.  Instead of making similar activities, he renewed himself by doing actions which made the brain work  every moment. We have said that the person needs change like he needs water. Yes it is  essential..

On the other hand, if there is anyone who thinks that there is a need for  image change in the basics of mysticism by looking at  our life that is becoming more monotonous as time goes by, I would say in the first place that they are mistaken. There is never a change in Islam, because the religion is a source of change itself. This is proved by the statement “Hu is in a new state every moment”.

The individual’s wish for change does not necessarily constitute a reason for a change in Islam too.

A real shining image, which is attained after much effort will make us think deeply on the subjects and it will  bring along  the richness to overcome them.   The other one is the desire for artificial image . There are many people who don’t understand this fact but I hope you’ll evaluate.

Istanbul- April 4^th 2001
http://afyuksel.com