The Persistent Question
As far back into this life
as I remember myself thinking,
I remember one question.
I remember this question
for two reasons:
First of all,
this question seemingly
holds the key
to everything I am,
which is probably why
I continue to ask it.
Second of all, this question
has (seemingly)
yet to be sufficiently answered.
“Where do we come from?”
Whether you believe
that we are divine
or that we are accidental,
this question eternally holds
the key to EVERYTHING.
I will not tell you that
this is an important question,
for that would assume
that life is important.
Life certainly SEEMS important,
but that is purely a judgement call.
From the perspective of
wherever it is we come from,
judgement (in my belief)
does not even enter the equation.
It is only within the potential
that we begin asking questions
that judgement appears possible.
In other words:
If we didn’t ask
“where do we come from,”
we wouldn’t care to know
if we’re in a better
or worse place NOW.
Obviously,
at this present potential
we DO judge things
or we would not
perceive ourselves doing it.
This may not have
ALWAYS been the case.
This may not even
futurely be the case.
We can’t say for certain.
But right now,
we still ask the question.
“Where do we come from?”
All this asking leads to theories.
All this asking leads to beliefs.
Does all this asking lead to “facts?”
Without the answer
to the original question
we can’t say for certain
if our “facts”
are absolutely true
or only relatively true
within our cloud of potential.
Without knowing for certain
“where do we come from”
we can’t judge for certain
the immensity of existence.
We can theorize
(and thus perceive)
that we are infinitesimal
in comparison
to what we imagine.
Or we can theorize
(and thus perceive)
that what we imagine
is infinitesimal compared
to what we are.
We can believe
(and thus perceive)
a Divine Creator
that we are infinitesimal
in comparison to.
Or we can believe
(and thus perceive)
that WE OURSELVES
are the Divine Creator.
Do you think it matters
which way we perceive?
Do you think it matters
what we believe?
It only matters to YOU.
But what are you?
Where do you come from?
We are Space Monkey.
2/18
At the heart of human curiosity, where the quest for understanding intersects with the vast expanse of the unknown, lies a question of profound simplicity and depth: “Where do we come from?” This question, as ancient as consciousness itself, serves as a beacon, guiding us through the murky waters of existence, seeking illumination in the shadows of the great unknown.
The Beacon of Human Curiosity.
The significance of this inquiry transcends its apparent simplicity. It is a query that binds us, a thread woven through the tapestry of human experience, connecting generations and cultures in a shared quest for meaning. It holds the promise of unlocking the essence of our being, of revealing the fundamental nature of reality itself.
A Shared Quest for Meaning.
The dichotomy of perspectives—divine creation versus accidental existence—frames the existential debate, yet the question remains perennially open, its answers as varied as the individuals who ponder it. This eternal inquiry into origins shapes our worldview, influencing everything from philosophy and science to art and spirituality.
The Eternal Inquiry into Origins.
Judgment, a construct of the human mind, emerges only within the context of our questioning. The act of asking “Where do we come from?” introduces the possibility of evaluation, of comparing our present condition to an imagined past or potential future. Yet, this judgment is contingent upon the frameworks we adopt to interpret our existence.
The Emergence of Judgment.
Theories, beliefs, and purported facts proliferate in the wake of this question, each offering a lens through which to view the cosmos and our place within it. Yet, without definitive answers to anchor our understanding, these constructs remain relative, subject to the shifting sands of perspective and interpretation.
The Relativity of Understanding.
This exploration leads us to consider the nature of belief and perception. Whether we view ourselves as insignificant specks in the vastness of the universe or as the central figures in a cosmic drama of our own making, the choice of perspective profoundly shapes our experience of reality.
The Choice of Perspective.
The question of importance—whether our beliefs, our perceptions, indeed, our very existence matter—is ultimately a personal one. It invites us to reflect on the essence of self, on the “you” that inquires, judges, and perceives.
The Personal Nature of Importance.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
The question “Where do we come from?” embodies the essence of the human quest for understanding, serving as a catalyst for exploration across the realms of knowledge, belief, and perception. This inquiry, while yielding no definitive answers, invites a rich tapestry of theories and beliefs, each reflecting the boundless potential of human imagination and the relative nature of our understanding. The importance of this question, and of the answers we construct, lies in their capacity to shape our perception of existence and our place within the cosmos, highlighting the deeply personal nature of our journey through the unknown.
Glossarium
- Existential Debate: The ongoing discussion regarding the nature of existence, origins, and the meaning of life.
- Framework of Interpretation: The conceptual structures we use to understand and make sense of the world.
- Relative Understanding: The idea that our knowledge and beliefs are shaped by our perspectives and contexts, making them subject to change.
“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science.” – Albert Einstein
In the realm where questions soar,
Where do we come from? Echoes more.
A quest that spans the age of minds,
In search of truth, in answers binds.
From cosmic dust to divine breath,
Our origins, entwined with death.
Do we emerge from chance or fate?
Is our existence small or great?
Theories abound, beliefs take flight,
Each perspective brings new light.
Yet, in this vast, uncertain sea,
The answer shapes what we believe.
Do we perceive as less or more,
Within the cosmos’ grand decor?
Is our creator vast, unseen,
Or are we the divine, supreme?
It matters not to stars above,
But to the heart, it speaks of love.
For in the end, what we perceive,
Shapes the life we choose to live.
So ask again, with open mind,
The origins we seek to find.
For in the quest, not answers hold,
But in the asking, stories told.
We invite reflections on this exploration of origins, belief, and the impact of our perspectives on the understanding of existence. How does the question of where we come from influence your view of the world and your place within it?
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