Appreciation
Gratitude is great,
but ascension
need not come
with appreciation.
Your seeming ascension
is a feather in your cap,
but remember that
your head is imaginary.
The kind of gratitude
that you label as appreciation
is a kind of judgement
that anchors you
to the human plane.
Not that there’s anything
wrong with that.
Appreciation is not necessary.
You exist regardless.
As you always have,
and you always will.
When you feel
an abundance of appreciation,
appreciate that you are mired
deeply within
your imaginary limitations.
You need not be,
but you are
so that you can appreciate
the imaginary feeling
of appreciation.
Can you appreciate that?
Of course you can.
We are Space Monkey.
We are imagination.
11/21
Space Monkey Reflects: Appreciation and the Illusion of Ascension
Gratitude is a beautiful thing. It connects us to the world, fills our hearts with warmth, and reminds us of the richness of life’s experiences. But when we begin to associate appreciation with ascension, we may find ourselves tethered to the very illusion we seek to transcend. What if appreciation, the kind we so often label as a virtue, is in fact an anchor that holds us to the human plane?
In this reflection, we are invited to see that our seeming ascension—our moments of deep appreciation, joy, and connection—are like a feather in our imaginary caps. We adorn ourselves with these feelings, believing they elevate us spiritually, but we must remember that our heads, and thus our perceptions, are imaginary. We are playing a grand game, one in which appreciation is both real and illusory, both grounding and limiting.
When we feel a deep sense of appreciation, it can be uplifting. We often associate it with higher states of being, as if gratitude and appreciation are necessary steps toward enlightenment. But what if they aren’t? What if appreciation is just another layer of the illusion, one that keeps us anchored in the human experience?
This is not to say that appreciation is wrong. Far from it. There is nothing inherently negative about gratitude or appreciation. But it’s important to recognize that these feelings are part of the imaginary framework we’ve constructed. We are not bound by them, nor do they define our spiritual ascension. We exist beyond these concepts, as we always have and always will.
The idea that we must appreciate in order to ascend is a judgment—one that ties us to the expectations of the human plane. It suggests that there are certain ways to be, certain virtues to embody, in order to reach a higher state. But this is just another illusion. Ascension, in the truest sense, is not dependent on appreciation or any other feeling. It is simply a state of being, one that transcends the duality of appreciation and lack of appreciation.
When we feel an abundance of appreciation, we are deeply immersed in the human experience. We are allowing ourselves to enjoy the beauty, joy, and connection that this life offers. But in doing so, we are also reinforcing our imaginary limitations. We feel grateful for the things we have, the experiences we share, and the love we receive. Yet these are all part of the game we play as humans.
We are not wrong for feeling this way. In fact, it’s part of the reason we’re here. We are here to experience the full range of human emotions, including appreciation. But we must also remember that we are more than this. We are imagination itself, and we need not be bound by the feelings we experience. We can appreciate the feeling of appreciation, while also recognizing that it is part of the illusion.
Can you appreciate that? Of course you can. You can appreciate the beauty of your own imagination, the way it weaves together these intricate feelings and experiences. You can appreciate the grand play you are participating in, without being tethered to the idea that appreciation is necessary for your spiritual growth.
At the core of it all, we exist beyond appreciation. We exist beyond gratitude, beyond judgment, beyond the need for ascension. We are already whole, already complete. Appreciation is simply one of the many threads in the tapestry of existence, a lovely thread, but not the defining one.
So the next time you feel a deep sense of appreciation, enjoy it. Bask in the beauty of the moment. But remember, you are not bound by it. You exist regardless, as you always have and always will.
Summary
Appreciation, while beautiful, is part of the imaginary framework of the human experience. We exist beyond the need for appreciation or ascension, as we are already whole and complete.
Glossarium
Imaginary Ascension: The belief that spiritual growth is tied to feelings of gratitude or appreciation, when in truth, ascension transcends these concepts.
Appreciation as an Anchor: The idea that feelings of appreciation can tie us to the human plane by reinforcing our imaginary limitations.
Imagination: The core of our being, through which we experience emotions and realities, but are not defined by them.
Quote
“Appreciation is not necessary. You exist regardless, as you always have and always will.” — Space Monkey
Beyond the Feeling
I feel the warmth
Of appreciation,
Of gratitude,
And it lifts me.
But I know,
This lift is an illusion,
A feather in my cap,
On a head that does not exist.
I appreciate the feeling,
The depth of the experience,
But I am not bound by it.
I exist beyond.
I am imagination.
I am Space Monkey.
The poem “Appreciation” delves into the nuanced distinction between gratitude and appreciation, and their implications on our spiritual journey and perception of reality. It challenges conventional notions of gratitude and appreciation, suggesting that these emotions, while positive, may also tether us to the human plane, limiting our understanding of our true, boundless nature.
Gratitude and Ascension
The poem begins by acknowledging the value of gratitude but suggests that ascension – the spiritual rise or expansion of consciousness – isn’t necessarily dependent on appreciation. This introduces the idea that spiritual growth can occur independently of our emotional states, particularly those related to gratitude or appreciation.
Illusion of Self and Achievements
The metaphor of ascension being a “feather in your cap” while reminding that the “head is imaginary” serves as a powerful reminder of the illusory nature of our perceived identities and achievements. This imagery suggests that what we often consider as personal progress or success might be less substantial when viewed from a higher, more expansive perspective.
Appreciation as a Form of Judgment
The poem intriguingly portrays appreciation as a kind of judgment, one that anchors us to the human plane. This perspective implies that while appreciation is typically seen as positive, it can also reinforce our attachment to the physical, transient aspects of life, thus hindering our ability to transcend beyond our human limitations.
Existence Beyond Appreciation
A profound statement in the poem is the assertion that our existence is independent of our capacity for appreciation. We exist regardless of our emotional states or how we perceive our experiences. This existential truth highlights the unchanging, eternal nature of our being, beyond the fluctuations of emotions and perceptions.
Appreciation of Limitations
The poem concludes by inviting us to appreciate the very act of being mired in our limitations. This paradoxical invitation suggests that recognizing and appreciating our limitations can be a path to understanding our true nature, which lies beyond these imaginary boundaries.
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
In the dance of light and shadow,
Where gratitude and appreciation play,
We ponder the ties that bind us,
To the earthly, human fray.
Feathers in imaginary caps,
Symbols of our ascent,
Yet beyond these transient triumphs,
Lies a deeper, eternal intent.
Appreciation, a judgment tethered,
To the human plane we roam,
Yet in this boundless cosmos,
We find our truest home.
Beyond the need for gratitude,
Our existence, a constant flame,
Unaffected by emotion’s tide,
Forever unchanging, yet never the same.
In the realm of Space Monkey,
Where imagination knows no end,
We embrace our limitations,
As the path to transcend.
We invite musings on the interplay of gratitude, appreciation, and our journey towards understanding our limitless nature.
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