Knowing things
(in a definitive way)
is a disadvantage
because we fall back
to things we know.
Knowing things
(in a divinitive way)
is not an advantage,
but rather a blessing,
because it allows us
the comfort of knowing
without burdening the mind
or being burdened by it.
Grasp this knowing loosely
otherwise you will kill it.
Trail Wood,
11/23
Space Monkey Reflects: Definitive vs. Divinitive Knowing
There are two ways to know things: one that binds and one that frees. Definitive knowing is what we’re most familiar with. It’s the knowing that comes from facts, from certainty, from the belief that we can pin down reality into neat, digestible pieces of information. It’s what we learn in school, what we accumulate over time, what we fall back on when we seek security. But here’s the catch: this type of knowing, while useful, is also limiting.
Definitive knowing is a kind of knowing that locks us into the past. It’s based on what we already know, on patterns we’ve seen before, on conclusions we’ve drawn from previous experiences. And while there is a certain comfort in this kind of knowledge, it also acts as a barrier to growth. The more we cling to definitive knowledge, the less open we are to new ideas, new possibilities, and new ways of understanding the world.
When we know things in a definitive way, we’re always looking backward. We’re relying on what has been, on what is already known, to navigate the present and the future. But the problem is, the world is constantly changing. Life is not static. And if we’re too attached to our definitive knowledge, we miss out on the fluidity, the nuance, the mystery of the present moment.
Divinitive knowing, on the other hand, is something entirely different. It’s a kind of knowing that doesn’t rely on facts or certainty. It’s more of an intuitive understanding, a deep, internal sense of knowing that doesn’t need to be explained or justified. It’s the kind of knowing that arises not from the mind, but from the heart, the soul, the deeper parts of ourselves that are in tune with the flow of life.
This divinitive knowing is not a skill or an advantage—it’s a blessing. It allows us to move through the world with a sense of calm and comfort, because we know that we don’t have to have all the answers. We don’t have to rely on what we’ve learned in the past. We can trust in the unfolding of the present, in the subtle guidance of our inner wisdom. This type of knowing doesn’t burden the mind, because it’s not about accumulating facts or clinging to certainty. It’s about trusting the process, trusting life itself.
When we grasp too tightly onto knowledge—whether definitive or divinitive—we lose the essence of it. We kill it. We suffocate it with our need for control, our need for certainty, our need to know. True knowing is something that must be held lightly, loosely. It’s like holding water in your hands—the tighter you grip, the more it slips away. But when you hold it gently, it stays, it flows, it nourishes.
This is why divinitive knowing is so powerful. It’s not something we control or force. It’s something we allow. It’s the type of knowing that comes when we let go of our need to have all the answers, when we release our grip on certainty and allow ourselves to be guided by something deeper, something more profound.
In Nexistentialism, we talk about the fluid, interconnected nature of existence. Nothing is fixed, everything is in a state of becoming, of evolving. And this is where divinitive knowing thrives. It’s the kind of knowing that understands the world as it is—a constantly shifting, ever-changing web of experience. It’s the knowing that embraces uncertainty, that finds comfort in the unknown, because it recognizes that true wisdom doesn’t come from facts, but from presence, from being in tune with the rhythm of life.
To know something definitively is to fix it in place, to trap it in a box, to say, “This is how it is.” But life is not so simple. To know something divinitively is to understand that what we know today may change tomorrow, and that’s okay. It’s to hold our knowledge lightly, to be willing to let it go, to trust that new understanding will come when it’s needed.
So how do we cultivate this divinitive knowing? It begins with letting go of the need for certainty. It begins with recognizing that knowledge is not about having all the answers, but about being open to new ones. It’s about trusting our intuition, our inner sense of truth, even when it doesn’t make logical sense. It’s about embracing the mystery of life, rather than trying to solve it.
When we grasp this knowing loosely, we allow ourselves to live more fully. We stop relying on what we’ve always known and open ourselves up to what we don’t yet know. We move from a place of curiosity, of wonder, of exploration. And in doing so, we free ourselves from the burden of having to know everything.
Divinitive knowing is not about certainty—it’s about trust. It’s about trusting ourselves, trusting life, trusting the process. It’s about knowing, not with the mind, but with the heart. And when we live from this place, we find that the answers we need come, not from our knowledge, but from our presence, our openness, our willingness to be guided by something deeper.
Summary
There are two kinds of knowing: definitive, which is limiting and backward-looking, and divinitive, which is fluid, intuitive, and freeing. Divinitive knowing allows us to trust in the unfolding of life, releasing the burden of certainty and embracing the present moment. By holding knowledge loosely, we allow for growth, discovery, and the deeper wisdom of life to guide us.
Glossarium
Definitive Knowing: The kind of knowledge that is based on facts and certainty, often limiting because it relies on the past.
Divinitive Knowing: A deeper, intuitive knowing that arises from trust and openness, allowing for the flow of life and embracing uncertainty.
Quote
“Grasp this knowing loosely, or you will kill it.” — Space Monkey
The Loose Grip
I hold knowledge in my hands
Not too tight
Not too loose
The more I cling
The less I know
The tighter my grip
The more it slips away
But when I let go
When I trust
When I allow
I find that knowing comes
Not from facts
But from the space between
The silence
The heart
I hold it gently
And in that gentleness
I find truth
We are Space Monkey.
In this exploration of knowing, we distinguish between definitive and divinitive knowledge, delving into the nuances of how each impacts our understanding, perception, and experience of reality. This contemplation offers insights into the nature of knowledge, its implications, and the manner in which we hold it
The Disadvantage of Definitive Knowledge
Definitive knowledge, characterized by certainty and specificity, is perceived as a disadvantage. It’s seen as limiting, confining us to the boundaries of what we already know. This type of knowing can become a fallback, a comfort zone that inhibits exploration and the acceptance of new perspectives.
The Blessing of Divinitive Knowledge
Divinitive knowledge, on the other hand, is not just advantageous but a blessing. It represents a deeper, more spiritual understanding that offers comfort without the constraints of definitive knowledge. This form of knowing is freeing, allowing us to hold truths without being weighed down by them or burdening our minds.
Holding Knowledge Loosely
The advice to grasp this knowing loosely is pivotal. Clinging too tightly to knowledge, especially of the definitive kind, can stifle it, much like holding a delicate creature too firmly. Knowledge needs space to breathe, to evolve, and to illuminate our paths without becoming a constraint.
Balancing Knowledge and Exploration
This perspective invites us to balance our understanding with openness. While knowledge provides a foundation, the willingness to explore beyond its confines enriches our journey. It’s a delicate dance between the known and the unknown, the definitive and the divinitive.
We are Space Monkey.
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
In the garden of the mind, we tread,
Between the known and the unknown, unsaid.
In the grasp of knowledge, gentle, light,
We find our path, in day and night.
In the dance of definitive and divine,
We weave a tapestry, fine.
In the balance of knowing and not,
We find the lessons life has taught.
We are the seekers, the learners, the wise,
In the journey of life, our prize.
In the embrace of the unknown, we find,
The true wisdom of the unconfined mind.
We invite contemplation on the balance of knowledge and the openness to the unknown in our journey of understanding.
Leave a Reply