Ben Okri, a British-Nigerian poet and novelist, is celebrated for his lyrical work that seamlessly blends the real with the surreal. A Way of Being Free, a collection of essays, offers meditations on the nature of creativity, imagination, and storytelling. Okri advocates for the power of stories and the uncharted realms of the imagination to shape human consciousness and challenge societal norms. His reflections are both philosophical and personal, shedding light on the artist's role in society.
Imagination as the Ultimate Frontier
"The problem is with those who are frightened of the rather limitless validity of the imagination, frightened of people who continually extend the boundaries of the possible."
Okri opens the book by exploring the immense potential of human imagination. He notes that the issue lies not in a lack of imagination, but in the fear that stems from its vast, boundless nature. Those who "ceaselessly re-dream the world" are the ones who challenge convention and push humanity towards new possibilities. Okri views imagination as the driving force behind progress, creativity, and the expansion of human consciousness. His emphasis on the "frontiers people of the unknown and the uncharted" speaks to the need for a boldness of spirit in a world that often clings to the familiar. (Page 2)
The Power of Mystery and Wonder
"The dreams of the people are beyond them, and would trouble them."
For Okri, there is an essential conflict between the world of poets and dreamers and the world of legislators and policy-makers. The latter are often uncomfortable with mystery and wonder because these cannot be quantified, measured, or legislated. Okri points out that mystery and dreams are central to human experience, and to deny them is to limit the scope of our existence. It’s the poets and artists who keep alive the yearning for the unknown and the unexplainable, challenging societal boundaries and inviting us to imagine more than what seems possible. (Page 3)
Embracing Challenges Through Creativity
"It is from the strength of your antagonist that you derive your greater authority."
Okri speaks to the power of adversity in shaping the artist’s voice. He suggests that challenges, whether external or internal, are essential for the artist's growth. The enemies that breed distractions and opposition are what push creators to be more than themselves. Rather than being disheartened by antagonists or challenges, Okri argues that they serve as a vital source of strength, compelling artists to transcend their limitations and dig deeper into their creative reservoirs. (Page 12)
The Playfulness of Creation
"The artist should never lose the spirit of play."
Okri advocates for a playful approach to creativity. While hard work and seriousness are invaluable, Okri emphasizes the power of playfulness in artistic creation. By embracing a "smile in the soul," artists can approach daunting tasks with lightness and joy. This spirit of play, he suggests, allows the divided self to function as one, elevating the artist to a state of pure creativity where the ego dissolves, and the soul finds peace.
He observes that writing, at its best, is almost a blessed activity. When a writer is truly immersed in the creative process, it’s as if the mood or atmosphere they wish to convey finds the words on its own. (Page 18-19)
The Tranquility of True Creation
"For me, tranquility is the sign of the invisible presence of grace."
In Okri’s reflections on the act of creation, he highlights the importance of serenity and calm in the creative process. He believes that true creativity arises when an artist is able to connect with a deeper sense of grace and inner peace. Tranquility, concentration, and meditation become the tools through which an artist can access the collective wisdom of humanity. This serene state of mind allows the artist to explore and solve even the most complex creative and human problems. (Page 23)
The Power of Storytelling in a Fractured World
"It may seem that because we live in a fractured world the art of storytelling is dead."
Okri acknowledges that in a world full of fragmented beliefs and competing realities, storytelling might seem like a lost art. However, he pushes back against this idea, insisting that storytelling remains one of the most vital ways of connecting people. Despite the fractured nature of the modern world, storytelling provides a continuous thread that links the human experience across time and space. Okri believes that through storytelling, we can reawaken a sense of wonder, mystery, and shared humanity. (Page 24)
The Subversive Nature of Storytelling
"Storytelling is always, quietly, subversive. It is a double-headed axe."
Storytelling, according to Okri, is not just an act of creation but also an act of quiet rebellion. He writes that stories lie silently in our brains, waiting to challenge us when we least expect it. They subvert complacency and offer alternative ways of seeing and being in the world. This double-headed axe cuts both ways: it challenges the listener or reader but also the storyteller. Stories have the power to shake foundations and disrupt established truths, making them one of the most potent tools for transformation and change. (Page 35)
Changing Lives Through Stories
"We live by stories, we also live in them."
Okri takes this idea further by asserting that stories are not just something we consume—they are the very fabric of our lives. Whether consciously or unconsciously, the stories we tell ourselves shape our identities, beliefs, and actions. Okri suggests that by changing the stories we live by, we can also change our lives. This notion ties into his belief in the transformative power of storytelling and its ability to rewrite personal and collective histories. (Page 37)
Certainty: The Enemy of Creativity
"Certainty has always been the enemy of art and creativity."
In Okri's view, rigid certainty limits the scope of human possibility and narrows our understanding of the world. He argues that when individuals, nations, or ideologies embrace certainty they lose the ability to imagine alternate realities or appreciate the marvelous variety of human experience. Creativity thrives in uncertainty, in the willingness to explore the unknown without needing definitive answers. Certainty, in contrast, stifles growth and leads to destructive violence and division. (Page 25)
The Storyteller as Guardian of Wisdom
"The storyteller's art changed throughout the ages."
Okri traces the evolution of storytellers from their ancient role as protectors of the tribe, fending off fear and dread with words and incantations, to their current position as the living memory of a people. Storytellers preserve the dreams, wisdom, and tragedies of their communities, keeping them alive for future generations. In this sense, they become more than entertainers—they are the keepers of history and the interpreters of the collective unconscious. (Page 30)
Hope and Striving: The Magic of Transformation
"Hope and striving have magic in them."
Okri concludes his reflections by celebrating the power of hope and the beauty of struggle. He speaks of those who embark on monumental journeys to overcome their predicaments, suggesting that these individuals are luckier than they might think. There is something "awesomely beautiful" about the human spirit's determination to strive for a better future, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Okri captures this sentiment in his observation that "struggle is life," and it is through this struggle that individuals and societies can climb the metaphorical mountains toward new destinies. (Page 108)
The Power of Redreaming the World
"The only hope is in daring to redream one's place in the world."
At the heart of Okri’s philosophy is the belief that humanity’s greatest potential lies in its ability to imagine new realities. It is only through the act of “redreaming” the world that we can break free from the limitations of the past and move toward a better future. (Page 45)
The Sacredness of Life and Stories
"We are part human, part stories."
Okri’s A Way of Being Free is an invitation to embrace the boundless nature of imagination, to value the magic of storytelling, and to engage with the world in a spirit of playful yet profound creativity. It is a call to dream, to challenge certainty, and to dare to imagine a new world. Ultimately, Okri reminds us that storytelling is not just a form of art—it is the very essence of life. Through stories, we discover who we are, who we can become, and how we are all connected. (Page 92)
