Symphony ... A World Without Shadows

Rila grew up in a world where everything was balanced and harmonious. In Symphony, people never experience arguments because all opinions and perspectives merge into a unified whole. No one is considered wrong, and no one has to fight for their viewpoint. Everything is orderly and peaceful, yet Rila often felt an odd sense of inner restlessness... as if something was missing.

Symphony operates like a perfect orchestra. There are no concepts of opposing sides, no conflicts between good and evil, truth and falsehood, or divisions between us and them. Every person in  Symphony carries within their consciousness two streams of thoughts and perspectives. They are not required to choose a side.

In this world without shadows, as Symphony is often called, people have the ability to experience the emotions and perspectives of others. When someone expresses a different view, others can perceive it not only logically but also emotionally. This connection eliminates prejudice, as everyone understands the basis of the opposing perspective.

Instead of arguments, a dialectical symphony evolved, where ideas are not opposites but different tones of a single melody. Everyone contributes their part of the truth, and rather than a winner emerging, something new and harmonious is created.

The word side has lost its relevance, even political parties, infamous relics of the past, built on conflict, no longer exist. Every societal decision is guided by Bridges of Truth, teams of philosophers, artists, scientists, and everyday citizens who examine all aspects of an issue until a solution that encompasses every perspective is found.

Rila, a young artist who loves contrasts, had been painting works that defied the norm for some time. Perhaps it was triggered by a theatre performance where all the colours, tones, and emotions were perfectly synchronized. It was then Rila realized that nothing in this world left a mark. Every moment was pleasant, but none were exceptional. No emotion stood out in intensity. That was when Rila first asked, can a world without conflict also be a world without passion?

Perhaps the catalyst was Rila’s study of ancient times, before this society emerged, when the world operated completely differently. There were wars, arguments, clashes of ideas, but also great deeds and passionate stories. Art was wild, and people laughed and cried with full intensity. Yet, they also destroyed one another. That was when Rila asked for the second time, could conflict and differing perspectives be the engine of progress?

Rila’s paintings began to show imbalance. He used clashing colours, yet his works carried a power others hadn’t seen before. People who viewed them felt confused but also captivated. Rila sensed that to truly understand what was missing, he needed to create conflict. Through his artworks and hidden messages, he began to question Symphony’s very existence.

Should we explore new worlds beyond Symphony or remain in the perfect world we know? This question echoed through nearly every household. Some argued that Symphony should remain the same, convinced that balance and harmony were what held their world together. Others countered that exploring new worlds would bring fresh perspectives, experiences, and opportunities, even at the risk of challenges.

Rila observed the debates, and instead of fear, he saw something new. People were energized, filled with emotions they hadn’t felt before. They became more creative, started asking questions, discussing ideas, and though conflicts arose, their world began to evolve. However, some couldn’t cope with the chaos and started to suffer because the harmony they had known all their lives was disrupted.

Over time, things took a turn. People began to resent those with opposing views, and tensions grew. Symphony, accustomed to peace, was unprepared for aggression. Some even began to question the very foundation of their society.

Rila realized that while polarization brought passion and creativity, it also revealed a deep need in people to stand on the “right” side. They saw the world in black and white, making them vulnerable. He understood that the neutrality that once governed Symphony had led to stagnation, but division wasn’t the solution either.

And so, he painted another work, unlike anything he’d created before, perhaps because of the message it conveyed. On one side, dark shadows, on the other, vibrant colours. But between them, there was no conflict. There was flow, connection, something new. A world where there were no sides, just different angles of the same perspective.

Symphony did not become a world without conflicts, nor one filled with endless arguments. Instead, it  became a place where conflicts were transformed into dialogues, where people stopped seeing differences as threats and began perceiving them as opportunities. Discussions no longer aimed to impose one’s truth but to discover the others.

Rila continued his art, but it was no longer about chaos. It became about connection and finding harmony within disharmony.

He continued his search for truth, understanding that truth doesn’t reside on one side but is like a  symphony of all tones, even the discordant ones. People didn’t need to remain neutral to live in harmony, they needed to learn to see differences as colours that, together, create a masterpiece.