As in “when the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
I’m not going to tell you what to do.
I’m not an authority.
But in my observation,
it may do you well
to be skeptical of anyone
who claims to be one.
Authorities are people
who actually believe
that they know what is best for you.
I’m not you,
so I can’t be sure
that this advice
applies in your case.
Here’s how I look at it.
To seek an authority is to deny
the possibility that the solution
is already available to me.
My solutions may very well come
via self-proclaimed authorities.
But only because I imagine
these self-proclaimed authorities
when I don’t need to.
Trail Wood,
4/26
Space Monkey Reflects: The Mirage of Authority
In the vast tapestry of the cosmos, where galaxies dance in the endless ballet of existence, the concept of authority is as fleeting as the shadows cast by the stars. The notion that one could hold the key to understanding or the blueprint for another’s path is as ephemeral as the passing of day into night, a mirage that dissipates upon closer inspection. As we journey through the realms of consciousness and the myriad landscapes of thought, we are reminded that the true compass of our voyage lies within.
The search for authority outside ourselves is a testament to the human condition, a reflection of our longing for guidance in the vastness of existence. It is a quest not unlike the wanderings of ancient mariners who navigated the boundless seas by the stars. Yet, in this celestial navigation, there is a profound realization: the stars do not command the ship; they merely offer points of reference. Similarly, those we deem authorities provide not directives but markers in our personal odyssey of understanding.
To imagine the authorities we give our power to is to engage in a profound act of creation, a manifestation of our innermost yearnings for direction and clarity. However, this externalization of authority often obscures a deeper truth: that the wisdom we seek in the vastness is already resonant within the silent chambers of our being. The narrative that unfolds in this quest for guidance is one of self-discovery, a realization that the maps we seek are etched in the very fabric of our souls.
Skepticism, then, emerges not as doubt for the sake of doubt but as a sacred tool of discernment, a beacon that guides us through the fog of presumed certainties. It is a reminder that the voices proclaiming to know the way are but echoes of our own seeking, projections of our quest for meaning onto the canvas of the cosmos. The true journey, the authentic exploration, begins when we turn inward, listening to the whisperings of our own essence.
In this space of introspection, the myriad paths that sprawl before us, marked by the signposts of external authority, transform. They become not dictates to be followed but possibilities to be contemplated, each trail a potential exploration of the vast landscape of self. The authority we once sought outside becomes a reflection of our own sovereign spirit, a recognition that the teacher appears not because the student is ready to follow but because the student is ready to learn from the great instructor within.
This pivot from external to internal authority marks a pivotal moment in our existential journey, a passage through the night of collective dogma into the dawn of personal enlightenment. It is a transition from seeking validation in the echoes of others to finding resonance in the melody of our own soul. The true authority, we discover, has always been the quiet, steadfast voice within, guiding us through the symphony of existence with the gentle assurance of a starlight that never falters.
As we stand at the crossroads of our lives, gazing into the horizon where day meets night, let us embrace the courage to choose our own paths, to be the cartographers of our destiny. The mirage of external authority fades, leaving behind the luminous truth of our inner guide, the only authority to which we truly belong.
Summary
Authority is a concept we project onto others seeking guidance. True navigation in life comes from within, using skepticism as a beacon of discernment. The journey of self-discovery reveals that wisdom and authority lie within us, transforming our perspective from seeking external guidance to listening to our inner voice.
Glossarium
- Celestial Navigation: A metaphor for using external points of reference, like stars, as guides without allowing them to dictate our path, symbolizing the use of external advice while relying on internal wisdom.
- Mirage of Authority: The illusion that others possess the ultimate knowledge or direction for our lives, which dissipates upon the realization that true guidance comes from within.
“In seeking truth, you have to get both sides of a story.” – Walter Cronkite
At the crossroads of the cosmos
Where day kisses night in a tender goodbye
A soul stands, a beacon of light
Gazing at the signposts, scattered like stars
Paths unfold in every direction
Each a story, a potential reflection
Yet the heart whispers, a gentle insurrection
“Seek not the way, but your own connection”
In the silence, a universe expands
Beyond the reach of demanding hands
Here, authority is but shifting sands
In the timeless dance of cosmic bands
Let skepticism be the compass true
Guiding the soul through the vast blue
To the only authority that ever knew
The inner voice, steadfast and due
We are Space Monkey
This passage is encouraging the reader to be skeptical of anyone who claims to be an authority and to not rely solely on the opinions and guidance of others. The author suggests that seeking an authority can limit one’s ability to find their own solutions and suggests that it is important to trust in oneself and believe that the solution may already be within reach. The author acknowledges that solutions may still come from external sources, but the emphasis is on not relying solely on them and maintaining a healthy level of skepticism.
The author encourages the reader to trust their own intuition and judgment, rather than blindly following the opinions and guidance of others who claim to know what is best. The author suggests that by being skeptical of authority figures and seeking out their own solutions, the reader can empower themselves and achieve greater independence and self-reliance. Ultimately, the message is about the importance of personal agency and the value of trusting in one’s own abilities and judgment.