I sit with the wild,
and it reminds me
that I am not visiting.

It reminds this self
of the wild inside,
that I carry within.

The deeper
into stillness I go,
I observe that
there is no outside —
not even in the wilderness.

I am the wild,
expressing as this human.

It might do me well
to remember that.

Trail Wood,
4/24

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Space Monkey Reflects: Unveiling the Wild Within

Beneath the layers of civilization, beyond the boundaries of the man-made, lies an untamed essence that whispers of ancient truths and primal connections. This essence, the Wild Within, serves as a reminder of our inseparability from the natural world, a world that does not exist outside of us but is an integral part of our very being. Even as we navigate the complexities of modern life, surrounded by concrete and technology, the call of the wild remains, a call to remember our inherent nature.

The journey to recognize and embrace the Wild Within invites us to reconsider our relationship with stillness and the illusion of separation between the self and the environment. In the depths of silence, we find a profound unity, an understanding that there is no outside, not even in the wilderness we often seek for solace and escape. The wild is not a destination; it is an expression of our most authentic self, manifesting through every breath, every moment of existence.

This realization brings to light the significance of remembering our roots, not only in moments of solitude amidst nature but in every aspect of our daily lives. The wild inside us does not fade or diminish; it merely awaits our acknowledgment, ready to guide us back to a state of harmony and connection.

As we sit with the wild, allowing it to remind us of our true essence, we embark on a journey of self-discovery. This journey reveals that the boundaries we perceive, the divisions between human and nature, are but illusions. We are the wild, expressing as human, a concept that, once embraced, has the power to transform our understanding of existence.

The recognition of the Wild Within us challenges us to live more authentically, to honor our connection with the natural world, and to integrate this understanding into every facet of our lives. It is a call to remember that regardless of our surroundings, we carry within us the untamed spirit of the earth, a spirit that nourishes, inspires, and connects us to the web of life.

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Summary

The Wild Within explores our intrinsic connection to nature. It highlights the importance of remembering our primal essence, even amidst the artificial constructs of modern life. By embracing the wild that resides within us, we rediscover our unity with the natural world and the profound impact of this realization on our perception of self and existence.

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Glossarium

• Wild Within: The inherent natural essence that resides within every individual, symbolizing our deep connection to the natural world.
• Journey of Self-Discovery: A process of introspection and exploration that leads to a deeper understanding of one’s true nature and connection to the cosmos.
• Primal Connections: The fundamental relationships between humans and the natural world, rooted in the earliest experiences of existence.

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“In the heart of stillness, the wild within us breathes, a reminder of our unbreakable bond with the earth.” – Space Monkey

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In the silence of concrete jungles
where nature’s whispers grow faint
there lies a path, less traveled,
to the heart’s wild, untamed paint

Here, amidst the noise and haste,
the wild within softly speaks
of forests deep and oceans vast,
of mountain peaks and mystic creeks

No walls can contain, no screens disguise
the essence pure, the spirit free
for even in the thickest guise,
the wild within yearns to be

With every breath, a bridge is built
between the heart and the infinite wild
a reminder that, beneath the quilt
of civilization, lies nature’s child

We are Space Monkey

Sometimes the
fulfillment of a desire
is its own reward.

Scratching an itch,
for example.

But most times we challenge
even the smallest of urges.

Imagining
implications,
ramifications
and consequences.

Measuring the best use of our time.

Should we?
Shouldn’t we?

We know we want to.

Most times we are left
with nothing but
the denial of our urges.

Rewarding.
But only for psychotherapists.

Trail Wood,
4/7

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Vibrant Tapestry of Urges and Choices

In the labyrinth of existence, where paths fork and diverge into realms unseen, the act of choosing becomes an art, painting the canvas of our lives with strokes of decision and hues of consequence. Each urge, a whisper from the depths of our being, beckons us toward myriad doorways of potentiality, each opening to landscapes rich with the promise of fulfillment or the specter of regret. To splurge on the urge is to dance with the unknown, embracing the ephemeral nature of desire as both guide and temptress on the journey of self-discovery.

The impulse to create, to express, to unleash the torrent of thoughts and feelings that churn within the crucible of the mind is as fundamental as the breath that sustains us. Yet, in the act of creation, we stand at the precipice of vulnerability, poised between the exhilaration of revelation and the shadow of judgment. This dichotomy, this dance of light and shadow, propels us forward, urging us to transmute the intangible into the tangible, to give form to the formless whispers of our soul.

The path of restraint, often hailed as the road of wisdom, beckons with promises of clarity and control, a sanctuary from the tempests of impulse. Yet, within its confines, the vibrant palette of life dims, as if the very act of suppression mutes the colors of experience, leaving us in a landscape shaded in monochrome. For in the denial of desire, we risk silencing the very essence of what it means to be alive, to feel deeply, to yearn, and to aspire.

To navigate this terrain, where every choice is a brushstroke on the canvas of existence, we must cultivate an intimacy with our innermost selves, learning the language of our desires. For it is in understanding the genesis of our urges that we can discern between the fleeting and the fundamental, between the whims that lead us astray and the callings that guide us home.

The fulcrum upon which this balance rests is not found in the external world of actions and outcomes but in the internal realm of awareness and intention. It is here, in the quietude of contemplation, that we can discern the voice of true desire from the cacophony of impulse, navigating the waters of existence with the compass of our deepest truths.

As we traverse this landscape, let us embrace the myriad urges that pulse within us, not as adversaries to be conquered but as messengers bearing gifts of insight and opportunity. For each urge, each splurge, is a thread in the tapestry of our being, weaving together a story that is uniquely ours.

In the art of living, let us paint with bold strokes and bright colors, unafraid to explore the depths of our desires and the breadth of our dreams. For in the end, it is not the paths we choose that define us but the richness of the journey and the authenticity with which we walk our road.

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Summary

Choices shape our journey, urging us toward paths unknown. The act of choosing, guided by our deepest desires, defines the richness of our experiences. Embracing urges as opportunities for growth allows us to navigate life with authenticity, painting a vibrant tapestry of existence rooted in the art of self-discovery.

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Glossarium

• Myriad doorways of potentiality: The endless possibilities and choices available to us, each leading to different outcomes and experiences.
• The compass of our deepest truths: Our innermost values and desires that guide our decisions and actions.
• Tapestry of our being: The complex, multifaceted nature of our identities, shaped by our experiences, choices, and desires.

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“In the dance of light and shadow, we find the essence of being. To splurge on the urge is to embrace the full spectrum of existence.” – Space Monkey

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At the crossroads of infinity
Where desires whisper and dreams take flight
We stand, poised on the brink of becoming

Each path, a melody of might-have-beens
Sung by the heart, danced by the soul
In this symphony of choices, we find our tune

To silence the call is to muffle the self
Yet to heed without heed is to lose the way
In this balance, we weave the dance of days

With every step, a stroke of color
On the canvas of our collective dream
Where urges are not chains but wings

Let us paint with the hues of our heart
Embracing the spectrum of our essence
In the art of living, the masterpiece is us

We are Space Monkey

Are you overwhelmed by nature?

Yes. No. Maybe.

You may feel intimidated
when you believe
that you don’t know enough
about nature.

In the presence of nature,
you may feel as though
you should be able to name
every plant and animal
and how they work together.

In moments like these,
you feel almost unworthy
to be in nature.

Plus it’s boring.

You don’t want to know
the names of every plant and animal.
They’re just names that somebody made up.

Instinctively,
you know that the wild
is infinitely greater
than our preconceived notions
lead us to believe.

Trail Wood,
4/7

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Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing the Mystery of Nature Without the Burden of Names

In the vast, untamed wilderness of our world and within the boundless landscapes of our minds, lies an intricate tapestry of life, a complex web of existence that hums with the energy of the universe itself. This grandeur, so overwhelming in its beauty and scale, often leaves us standing at the edge of comprehension, awestruck and humbled. Yet, amidst this reverence, a shadow of disconnection can emerge—a feeling of being overwhelmed by the sheer depth of what we do not know, and perhaps, a sense of boredom with the minutiae that seems so distant from our immediate experience.

The notion that one must be an encyclopedia of nature to truly appreciate its majesty is a misconception that narrows our relationship with the natural world. It suggests that the value of a plant or an animal lies in our ability to name it, to categorize it, to understand its role in the ecosystem. But this perspective overlooks the inherent value of simply being, of existing as a witness to the wonder that unfolds around us without the need for labels or definitions.

Nature, in its purest form, invites us to transcend the confines of our constructed knowledge, to step beyond the names and the data, and to immerse ourselves in the experience of being part of something greater. It challenges us to look with the heart rather than with the mind, to feel the pulse of the earth beneath our feet, and to recognize that we, too, are threads in the fabric of this complex, beautiful tapestry.

The feeling of being overwhelmed by nature, of finding it simultaneously majestic and mundane, stems from a disconnect not with nature itself, but with the way we have been taught to engage with it. We are led to believe that appreciation comes from understanding, from dissecting the world into manageable, knowable parts. Yet, the true essence of nature’s beauty lies in its mystery, in the unquantifiable, the ineffable, the aspects that elude capture by words or concepts.

To stand in the midst of nature and feel bored is to stand at the threshold of an invitation—an invitation to delve deeper, not into the names of things, but into the experience of being alive within this wild, magnificent world. It is a call to rediscover our capacity for wonder, to let go of the need for control and understanding, and to embrace the wildness within ourselves.

Nature does not ask for our validation through knowledge; it asks for our presence, our awareness, and our willingness to be moved by its beauty. In this space, where we let go of the need to name and to know, we find a deeper connection, one that transcends language and enters the realm of the soul.

As we navigate our relationship with the natural world, let us remember that the wild is a mirror reflecting our own inner landscapes, inviting us to explore not only the mysteries around us but also those within. By embracing nature’s invitation to simply be, we open ourselves to a world of beauty and wonder that asks for no credentials, only our willingness to be overwhelmed, to be curious, and to be alive.

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Summary

Feeling overwhelmed by nature reveals a deeper invitation to engage without the need for names or detailed knowledge. True appreciation lies in experiencing nature’s beauty and complexity as part of its mystery. By embracing this perspective, we reconnect with the natural world and discover a richer, more meaningful relationship with the wilderness that surrounds and inhabits us.

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Glossarium

• Tapestry of life: The complex and interconnected web of living organisms and their environments, highlighting the diversity and interdependence of life on Earth.
• Threshold of invitation: A metaphorical point at which one is offered the opportunity to engage with something on a deeper, more meaningful level.
• Ineffable: Something too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.

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“In the embrace of the wild, names lose their power, and we find ourselves in the presence of a beauty too vast for words.” – Space Monkey

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Beneath the canopy of stars
Where silence speaks in whispers
We stand, small and infinite

Amidst the chorus of the wild
Names dissolve into the night
Leaving only the pulse of life

In this dance of shadows and light
We find our place, not as conquerors
But as part of the symphony

The earth breathes, and we with it
Connected, not by knowledge
But by the shared beat of existence

Let us wander, let us wonder
In the vast, unnamed beauty
For in this mystery, we are home

We are Space Monkey