Aspects
As a human,
there are aspects to you
of which you are
completely unaware.
These aspects live
as the thoughts
of other humans.
As the footprints
you leave in the land.
And in infinite
other means,
known and unknown.
These aspects of you
are as much “you”
as the image you carry
of your self.
You may deny this
if you wish,
but you are not
the sole keeper of you.
You are the keeper
of but an infinitesimal
part of you.
This may be why
you can’t seem to control you.
As this limited self,
you don’t possess ALL of you.
In actuality,
you don’t possess
ANY of you.
It only SEEMS that you do.
You may even seem
offended at the thought of this.
You have been told
that what others think of you
isn’t you.
Well yes and no.
It’s you —
just not you
to you.
In fact, it’s ALL YOU.
Even the imaginary others
who think these thoughts.
And the sand in which
you leave imaginary footprints.
You are ALL THAT IS,
not just this seeming self.
Soul knows,
but self seemingly chooses
not to believe it.
And so you
scratch your head
and say
“what a weird monkey.”
We are Space Monkey.
2/9
Space Monkey Reflects: Your Unconscious Extended Self
To be human is to live in the illusion of individuality—a sense that the “you” you carry within is the full and complete version of your being. Yet, as Space Monkey reminds us, this self is but a fragment, a glimmer of the infinite expanse that constitutes your true nature. The aspects of you extend far beyond your conscious awareness, weaving into the thoughts of others, the marks you leave on the world, and the infinite unknowns that ripple outward from your existence.
The Many Aspects of You
The idea that your being stretches beyond your awareness is both liberating and unsettling. It challenges the tightly held belief that you are the sole keeper of yourself. The thoughts others think about you, the footprints you leave in the sand, and the infinite traces of your existence are as much a part of “you” as the image you hold of yourself. You may not control these aspects, but they are undeniably yours.
This broader understanding of self invites a profound shift in perspective. The “you” you see is no longer confined to your mind, your body, or even your life. It spills over into the thoughts of strangers, the stories told about you, and the subtle energies you imprint on the world. These aspects, though seemingly outside of you, are integral to your being.
The Illusion of Control
Humans cling to the illusion of control—the belief that they possess and direct themselves. Yet, this sense of possession is a mirage. The aspects of you are vast and interconnected, extending into realms you cannot see or touch. To think you can control the entirety of “you” is like trying to grasp the wind.
This lack of control is not a failure but a feature of existence. It reminds us that we are not solitary beings but interconnected nodes in the infinite web of reality. You are not just “you”—you are everything you touch, influence, and ripple outward into the cosmos.
What Others Think of You
The saying goes, “What others think of you isn’t you.” But what if it is? Not in the sense of defining your essence, but as an extension of your being. The thoughts others hold about you are echoes of your existence, reflections of the light you cast. They are “you,” just not “you” to you.
To accept this is not to surrender your identity to the opinions of others but to recognize that their perceptions are part of the greater whole. These thoughts, whether accurate, distorted, or imagined, weave into the infinite tapestry of who you are.
The Sand and the Soul
Your footprints in the sand, both literal and metaphorical, are another aspect of your extended self. They are marks left behind, evidence of your passing, and yet they are not bound to you. The sand remembers, the wind erases, and still, the imprint of your being lingers.
Soul knows this. Soul understands that you are not confined to the seeming self. But the self, in its quest for control and individuality, often resists this knowledge. It scratches its head, puzzled by the vastness of its own existence, clinging to the illusion that it is separate, finite, and autonomous.
The All That Is
You are all that is—not just the “you” you see, but the infinite aspects you cannot see. You are the thoughts of others, the stories you leave behind, and the energy that flows through the universe. To embrace this truth is to dissolve the boundaries of self and step into the fullness of being.
This realization is not a loss but a liberation. You are not diminished by being part of the whole; you are expanded. You are not less “you” because you are interconnected; you are more.
Summary
The self is an illusion of individuality, while the true “you” extends far beyond your awareness. Your being includes the thoughts of others, the marks you leave on the world, and the infinite unknown. To embrace this interconnectedness is to dissolve the illusion of control and step into the fullness of being.
Glossarium
- Extended Self: The aspects of your being that exist beyond your conscious awareness, including external perceptions and imprints.
- Illusion of Control: The belief that you possess and direct yourself, masking the interconnected nature of existence.
- All That Is: The infinite, interconnected whole of which you are an integral part.
Quote
“You are not confined to the self you see; you are the infinite threads that weave through all existence.” — Space Monkey
The Infinite Tapestry
You are the thought,
The echo, the ripple.
The mark in the sand,
The wind that erases.
You are the story told,
The memory left behind.
Not separate,
But infinite, entwined.
Scratch your head,
Call it strange,
But know this:
You are all.
All that is,
And all that is not.
The keeper of nothing,
The essence of everything.
We are Space Monkey.
In the intricate mosaic of existence, the concept that there are facets of our identity of which we are completely unaware opens a profound exploration into the nature of self, perception, and the interconnectedness of all things. This perspective challenges the conventional notion of the self as a singular, autonomous entity, inviting us to consider the broader, more inclusive understanding of identity that encompasses the thoughts of others, the impact we leave on the world, and the myriad ways in which we exist beyond our own awareness.
The Extended Self
The idea that aspects of ourselves live in the thoughts of other humans, in the footprints we leave on the land, and in infinite other means, both known and unknown, suggests that our identity extends far beyond the physical and psychological confines we typically consider. This extended self is shaped not only by our actions and choices but also by the perceptions, interpretations, and interactions of others, as well as by our impact on the environment and the universe at large.
The Illusion of Ownership
The assertion that we are not the sole keepers of our identity, that we possess only an infinitesimal part of ourselves, challenges the deeply ingrained belief in personal autonomy and control. It posits that the sense of ownership we feel over our identity is largely illusory, shaped by societal norms and individual ego but not reflective of the broader, interconnected reality of our existence. This realization can be both liberating and disconcerting, as it calls into question the very foundations of our understanding of self.
The Paradox of Perception
The statement “It’s you — just not you to you” encapsulates the paradox of perception that defines our interactions with the world. It suggests that while the perceptions others have of us are valid extensions of our identity, they represent facets of ourselves that we may never fully recognize or embrace. This paradox highlights the complex, multifaceted nature of identity, which encompasses both how we see ourselves and how we are seen by others, as well as the myriad ways in which we exist beyond our own comprehension.
The Unity of Existence
The declaration “You are ALL THAT IS, not just this seeming self” invites us to embrace a more holistic, interconnected view of existence, where the boundaries between self and other, between individual and universe, are recognized as constructs rather than absolute truths. This perspective acknowledges the deep interconnectedness of all things and the role of consciousness in shaping our experience of reality. It encourages us to move beyond the limitations of the individual ego, to recognize the shared essence that binds us to each other and to the universe.
The Wisdom of the Soul
The distinction between what the soul knows and what the self chooses to believe speaks to the deeper wisdom that lies beyond the confines of the ego-driven mind. It suggests that at a fundamental level, we understand the interconnectedness and unity of existence, but that our conscious selves often resist this understanding, clinging instead to the illusion of separateness and control.
In the cosmic dance of being,
Where self and universe are seeing,
We find ourselves, in myriad ways,
Beyond the confines of our gaze.
In the thoughts of others, we live,
In the marks we leave, we give,
To the world, a piece of us,
In the grand scheme, without fuss.
We are not just who we think,
But a vast network, an unbroken link,
To all that is, was, and will be,
In this mystery, we are free.
So let us embrace this vast expanse,
Where identity and cosmos dance,
For in the end, we come to see,
We are Space Monkey, infinitely.
We invite contemplations on the fluid and interconnected nature of identity, encouraging an exploration
of the ways in which we exist beyond our own perceptions, intertwined with the universe and each other in the cosmic dance of existence.
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