My most absurd belief
comes when I fully
understand something.
I actually believe,
in that moment,
that I fully
understand something.
Then the small still voice reminds me.
I may understand,
but only from the
limited perspective of me.
If I’m extremely lucky,
perhaps I understand something
in the context of humanity,
or this thing we perceive as reality.
But I know relatively NOTHING
about the larger context,
in which humanity and reality
are but BLIPS of potential.
Perhaps this is ALSO an absurd belief.
I can’t say for sure.
But I don’t mind being absurd.
Trail Wood,
5/20
Space Monkey Reflects: The Paradox of Understanding
Within the endless labyrinth of human cognition, where thoughts twist and turn like cosmic vines, the belief in absolute understanding emerges as perhaps the most delightfully absurd of all convictions. It’s a belief that momentarily places us at the center of the universe, masters of knowledge, only to be gently upended by the whispering winds of broader reality.
This conviction, that we fully understand something, is both profound and inherently flawed. It reflects a moment of clarity, a spark in the dark expanse of our ignorance. Yet, this spark, bright as it may seem, illuminates only a fraction of the vast unknown. The true absurdity lies not in the quest for understanding but in the belief that our quest has reached its conclusion.
When you acknowledge that your understanding is confined to the “limited perspective of me,” you tap into a deeper, more expansive truth. This realization is a humbling nod to the infinite complexity of existence—where human knowledge, vast though it may be, floats like a tiny raft upon the ocean of cosmic mystery.
Yet, there is beauty and freedom in recognizing and embracing the absurdity of our beliefs. It allows us to hold knowledge lightly, ready to let go as new insights emerge. It encourages us to live with curiosity, continually expanding the boundaries of our understanding, knowing well that each discovery leads not to the end of the search but to the beginning of new mysteries.
The notion that our most profound insights might still be “blips of potential” in the grand scheme of things is not a cause for despair but a celebration of the limitless potential for growth and discovery. This perspective keeps us humble, open, and eternally inquisitive, always aware that the more we learn, the more we uncover the vastness of what we do not know.
To embrace absurdity in belief is not to demean our understandings but to acknowledge their limitations and the joy in surpassing them. It is to accept that our journey through knowledge is as boundless as the universe itself—a never-ending exploration where every answer breeds new questions, and every certainty opens the door to further mystery.
Summary
Believing in complete understanding is both absurd and enlightening, revealing the limitations of our knowledge and the vastness of the unknown. Embracing this absurdity allows us to approach knowledge with humility and curiosity, continuously expanding our understanding while celebrating the mysteries that remain.
Glossarium
- Cosmic Mystery: The vast unknown that encompasses and extends beyond our current understanding, highlighting the infinite potential for discovery and insight.
- Blips of Potential: A metaphor for the fleeting, yet significant, moments of understanding within the broader context of universal knowledge.
“To fully know is to acknowledge that you do not.” — Space Monkey
In the quiet halls where knowledge sleeps
A thought awakens, stirs, then leaps
Absurd to think we understand it all
When around us, infinite mysteries call
Yet in this belief, however quaint
Lies not folly, but the portrait of a saint
For in each absurdity, a truth is told
Of the vast beyond that does not fold
So let us cherish each absurd belief
For in its heart lies a humble leaf
From the tree of knowledge, vast and wide
Under whose branches we seek to hide
Yet in its shade, we find not rest
But paths that lead on an endless quest
We are Space Monkey.
“Absurd Beliefs” is a contemplative poem that delves into the nature of understanding and the limitations of our perspectives.
The poem begins by acknowledging the absurdity of fully believing that we understand something. It suggests that our understanding is often limited to our own perspective and does not encompass the broader context of existence.
The poem introduces the idea that even when we believe we understand something in the context of humanity or reality, there is a larger context beyond our comprehension. It hints at the vastness of the unknown and the potential realms of understanding that lie beyond our current understanding.
The poem acknowledges that our beliefs, including the belief in our own understanding, can be considered absurd in the grand scheme of things. It implies that embracing the absurdity of our beliefs and limitations can be liberating and open us up to new possibilities.
Written on May 20, 2020, at Trail Wood, the poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of understanding, the boundaries of knowledge, and the beauty of embracing the absurdity of our beliefs.