There I was driving to work, and the line from the song “Across the Universe” kept repeating itself in my mind, “nothing’s going to change my world”…. “nothing’s going to change my world.” Fast forward an hour and here I am at work, and that line is still repeating itself. “Nothing’s going to change my world”… “nothing’s going to change my world.” It continues to spin around and around my mind and I just can’t shake it. I haven’t listened to this song in ages, where is this coming from?! Call it your subconscious, conditioning and mental association, spirit, guidance, divine intervention, whatever. When songs start randomly playing in my head, especially the same line on repeat, that’s usually a sign that I need to sit down and listen.
I could listen to this song a dozen times, and each time, the lyrics may speak to me in different ways. I’m sure that how I’ve interpreted this song is probably different on some level (or many levels) than what was intended when John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote this song. Nevertheless, here are my reflections of this song and how it speaks to me.
What’s the overall theme I find within this song’s personal meaning for me?
Beyond the visions of psychadelic meditations and lucid dreams that are painted so vividly by the lyrics, this song beckons me to go within for introspection. I strongly associate the meaning of this song with the importance of mindfulness whether in the form of meditation, solitude, and journaling. In my mind’s eye, I have a visual of his words mentioned at the beginning of the song slithering out of his mind and away into the cosmos and dancing as they’re released. Every time message to me about the importance of journaling and writing my thoughts down to get them out of my mind and to sort them out.
What line or lyrics do I grasp on to with this song?
“Nothing’s going to change my world.”
How do I feel when I say this line to myself?
It’s almost like a soothing affirmation, that I’m reminding myself that my world is my own, comprised of my inner thoughts, perceptions, experiences, feelings and because no one else lives in there with me, nothing anyone does should impact that. However, it’s also a reminder to me that all the challenges and struggles I experience all come down to my own perception. Also, the life I live is mine and not dependant on circumstance or anyone else’s input. Noone else can change my world for me.
Here’s a peek at the lyrics:
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me
Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind
Inside a letter box they
Stumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing
Through my open ears inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns
And calls me on and on across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Artist: The Beatles
Album: Let It Be
