Who Might We Be If Not Who We Are

Not these bodies
Not these minds
Not these spaces
moving through time
Not these monkeys
Not these stars
Now tell me
who might we be
if we’re not who we are?

3/5

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Beyond Identity

Exploring the vast realms of existence beyond the conventional self.

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Transcending the Physical and Temporal

In the quest to understand the essence of our being, we often find ourselves tethered to the physical and temporal dimensions of existence. This abstract representation invites us to transcend these limitations, envisioning a realm where our identity extends beyond bodies, minds, spaces, and time. The merging of cosmic and ethereal elements, like galaxies and nebulae intertwined with abstract human forms, symbolizes the boundless nature of our existence beyond conventional identities.

This scene evokes a sense of mystery and wonder, prompting contemplation about the true nature of our being. It challenges the familiar definitions of self, body, mind, and space, encouraging us to question the limits of identity and to consider the vast possibilities of existence that lie beyond the tangible and the temporal.

Questioning the Limits of Identity

The imagery of cosmic expanses and ethereal forms serves as a metaphor for the infinite potentialities of our essence. It suggests that our true nature might not be confined to the physical forms and mental constructs we are accustomed to, but could encompass a more profound, universal connection to the cosmos and beyond.

This visualization inspires viewers to ponder the profound question of who we might be if we are not who we think we are. It invites us to explore the possibilities of an identity that transcends the conventional, reaching into the realms of the unknown and the unexplored.

Embracing the Mystery of Existence

By contemplating our existence beyond these bodies, these minds, and these spaces moving through time, we open ourselves to a journey of discovery. This journey encourages us to embrace the mystery of our existence, recognizing that our true identity may be an ever-evolving tapestry woven from the fabric of the universe itself.

In this exploration, we find the freedom to redefine ourselves, to see our existence as a part of a larger, more intricate pattern of life that spans beyond our current understanding. It is an invitation to see ourselves not just as individuals moving through time and space, but as integral components of a vast and mysterious cosmos.

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Summary

The exploration of identity beyond the physical and temporal realms invites us to consider the vast possibilities of our existence. It challenges the conventional notions of self, urging us to see our identity as part of a larger cosmic tapestry. This philosophical journey encourages us to embrace the mysteries of existence and to contemplate the boundless nature of our being beyond bodies, minds, and the confines of time and space.

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Glossarium

Transcendence: The act of going beyond the ordinary limits; in this context, transcending the conventional notions of identity and existence.

Cosmic Identity: The concept of an identity that extends beyond physical and temporal boundaries, connecting with the universal aspects of existence.

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“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

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In the vastness of cosmos, we seek,
Beyond the body, the mind, the meek.
For in the stars, in the endless night,
Lies the truth of our wondrous plight.

We are more than flesh, more than thought,
In the tapestry of universe, we are wrought.
Beyond time, beyond space, we roam,
In the cosmic dance, we find our home.

So let us ponder, let us dream,
Of identities beyond the seam.
For in the mystery of the stars above,
We find our essence, our infinite love.

There is no “they”

There is no “they”
but only “we”
which is but you
imagining me
and all the “others”
“sisters” and “brothers”
“tribes” and “countries”
“spaces” and “monkeys”

There is no “they”
but only “we”
which is but you
imagining me

3/3

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The Illusion of Separation: A Vision of Unity

In the embrace of the globe, humanity and nature converge, revealing the oneness of existence.

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The imagery of a diverse group of people encircling the globe, hands joined in solidarity, serves as a powerful symbol of unity and the interconnectedness of all life. Above them, the cosmos unfurls, a canvas blending scenes of various environments, cultures, and creatures, including monkeys, to portray the profound message that what we perceive as separate entities are, in reality, parts of a single, interconnected existence.

Beyond Divisions

This visual narrative challenges the constructs of separation—nations, tribes, species—that often divide us. It invites us to recognize that these divisions are merely constructs of the mind, and at the core of our being, there is only ‘we’. This realization brings to light the inherent unity shared by all living beings, transcending the boundaries we have artificially created.

A Unified Essence

The concept that “there is no ‘they’ but only ‘we'” underscores the notion that separation is an illusion, a product of our imagination. The depiction of humans and nature in harmonious coexistence echoes the understanding that we are all part of a larger whole, a unified essence that binds us to each other and to the Earth.

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Summary

The representation of unity amidst the illusion of separation serves as a reminder of our shared humanity and our collective responsibility to each other and the planet. It illustrates the beauty of recognizing ‘we’ in every ‘they’, dissolving the barriers that segregate and embracing the interconnectedness that defines our existence. In this vision of unity, we find a call to action: to remember that at our core, there is no distinction between us and them, only an all-encompassing ‘we’ that encompasses all of life.

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Glossarium

Interconnectedness: The state of being connected with each other, emphasizing the intrinsic relationships that exist among all elements of the universe.

Unity: The state of being united or joined as a whole, especially in a context that transcends physical, cultural, or ideological divisions.

Constructs of the Mind: Ideological or conceptual divisions created by human thought, which may not reflect the underlying reality of unity among all beings.

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“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

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Around the globe, we stand, hand in hand,
A tapestry of life, diverse and grand.
Above, the cosmos stretches wide,
A reminder of the unity we embody inside.

No ‘they’, no ‘other’, just ‘we’,
Bound by a shared destiny.
In every face, every leaf, every wave,
Lies the connection we seek to save.

So let us cherish this unity we find,
A bond of love, transcending the mind.
For in the heart of what we perceive,
Is the truth of ‘we’, in which we believe.

Famous Last Stench

Though it might be preferable
to be immortalized by words,
there’s something to be said
for one’s famous last stench.

Mine shall be
a masterful decomposition,
turbid and malodorous,
with unpretentious
overtones of funk.

12/21

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Essence of Legacy

Legacy is often framed in lofty ideals—immortalized words, grand achievements, or timeless acts. Yet, what if we embraced the humor and inevitability of life’s transience? The idea of a “famous last stench” challenges the seriousness with which we approach the notion of permanence. It reminds us that existence, in all its glorious imperfection, is both profound and profoundly funny.

To imagine one’s final legacy as a “masterful decomposition” is to acknowledge that life and death are part of the same eternal cycle. Decomposition is not the end; it is a transformation, a return to the earth, a contribution to the next cycle of growth. It is raw, unfiltered, and unpretentious—a perfect metaphor for the human experience.

The stench, with its “turbid and malodorous” character, becomes a symbol of authenticity. It defies the polished veneer of posthumous tributes, opting instead for an earthy, unapologetic truth. There is humor in this imagery—a reminder that even in our most decayed states, we leave an impression. Whether through words, actions, or the chemical poetry of decomposition, we contribute to the symphony of existence.

This perspective invites us to reconsider the weight we place on legacy. Instead of striving for immortality in the abstract, we can focus on the simple beauty of presence. What we leave behind—be it a scent, a memory, or a feeling—carries our essence forward. Legacy, then, is not about perfection but about authenticity. It is not about how we wish to be remembered but about how we truly lived.

By embracing the humor and humility of our impermanence, we free ourselves from the burden of achieving an idealized legacy. Instead, we can revel in the messiness of existence, finding joy in the knowledge that even our “last stench” contributes to the cosmic dance.

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Summary

A “famous last stench” humorously reframes legacy as an authentic, transformative part of life’s cycle. It challenges us to embrace the messy, imperfect beauty of existence and the inevitable imprint we leave behind.

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Glossarium

• Masterful Decomposition: The natural, unpretentious transformation of life into its next form, celebrated for its authenticity.
• Cosmic Dance: The eternal cycle of existence, where all contributions—grand or small—play a role in the whole.
• Authentic Legacy: The essence we leave behind, rooted in how we lived rather than how we hoped to be remembered.

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Quote

“Your legacy is not in what you leave polished but in what you leave true.” — Space Monkey

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The Stench of Truth

In the turning of the soil
In the swirling of the air
What remains is not perfection
But the scent of being there

A fragrance raw, a presence bold
No polished stone, no tale retold
Just the truth of what decays
Transforming into endless days

Laugh at death, and laugh at life
Both are one, and neither strife
The stench you leave, the gift you give
In this, forever, you truly live

We are Space Monkey

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In the grand tapestry of existence, this mirthful ode to the inevitability of life’s final act – decomposition – offers a playful yet profound perspective on our mortal journey. It’s a whimsical contemplation of our eventual return to the earth, embracing the natural process with humor and a hint of irreverence.

A Whimsical Ode to the Inevitable

The poem begins by contrasting the desire to be remembered through words with the inevitability of a physical end. It playfully acknowledges that while literary immortality might be preferable, there’s an undeniable reality to the physical processes that follow our departure from this plane.

The Art of Decomposition

Describing one’s final contribution to the earth as a “masterful decomposition,” the poem imbues the natural process of decay with a sense of artistry and intention. This description serves as a reminder of the organic cycle of life and death, where even in decay, there is a form of expression and continuation of existence.

Embracing the Earthly Funk

The mention of “unpretentious overtones of funk” brings a lighthearted tone to the subject of decomposition. It’s an acceptance and celebration of the less glamorous, yet utterly essential, part of the cycle of life. This acceptance reflects a deeper understanding of our place in the natural world, where every stage, even in its most turbid form, has its role and beauty.

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“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.” – Isaac Asimov

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In the garden of time, where all paths lead,
A whimsical dance of leaf and seed.
In decay’s embrace, we return to the earth,
A masterful funk, a rebirth.

We are Space Monkey.

We invite musings on the playful yet profound nature of life’s final act and the cycle of existence.

When The Switch Flips

When the switch flips and everybody dies,
nobody whimpers and nobody cries,
when INSTANTLY we see beyond what lies,
how can that be bad?

When the switch flips and everybody sees
we’ve IMAGINED all these centuries
of love and hate, death and disease
how can that be bad?

When the switch flips and everybody knows
this game we play has come to a close
yet still somehow awareness flows
how can that be bad?

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Space Monkey Reflects: When the Switch Flips

The switch flipping is a metaphor for awakening, an instantaneous shift from the imagined to the infinite. It is the moment when the veils of illusion dissolve, and what lies beyond becomes visible. Your reflection transforms a potentially fearsome idea—“everybody dies”—into a profound and serene realization of continuity, awareness, and unity.

The Switch as Awakening

When the switch flips, the world as we know it ceases, not with anguish but with clarity. The experiences we held dear, the constructs we clung to, dissolve into the awareness that they were always imagined. This realization is not an ending but a transformation—a revelation of the infinite nature of being.

The cessation of dualities—love and hate, life and death—does not negate their value. Instead, it reveals their role as tools for exploration, ways to navigate the infinite within the framework of the finite.

The Whimsiword: Flipfinity

The act of the switch flipping can be captured in the Whimsiword Flipfinity—the moment when the finite dissolves into the infinite, where awareness flows unbound by constructs. Flipfinity is not an end but a transition, a shift from the imagined game to the boundless Now.

Beyond Fear: Embracing the Dissolution

The idea of everything ending can evoke fear, yet your reflection invites us to see it as liberation. To realize that all we have experienced—love, hate, death, disease—was imagined is to free ourselves from attachment and judgment. This does not diminish these experiences but places them within the larger context of the infinite.

By viewing the switch flip as an awakening rather than a loss, we transform fear into curiosity, resistance into acceptance. The flow of awareness continues, unbroken, as the imagined world fades into the infinite.

The Game Concludes, Awareness Remains

The metaphor of life as a game underscores the playful nature of existence. Like any game, it has rules, players, and a sense of progression. Yet, when the game ends, the players remain, enriched by the experience but no longer bound by its constraints.

The continuity of awareness beyond the game is the ultimate affirmation of oneness. It is the realization that life, death, and all their dualities were part of a story we created to explore ourselves. The end of the game is not an end to being but an expansion into the infinite.

How Can That Be Bad?

This refrain challenges our instinctive resistance to endings. If the switch flipping reveals truth, dissolves illusion, and affirms continuity, then how can it be bad? By reframing endings as transformations, we find peace in what might otherwise seem terrifying. We learn to embrace the Flipfinity as a natural and beautiful progression.

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Summary

The switch flipping symbolizes the transition from the imagined to the infinite, dissolving dualities and revealing the unbroken flow of awareness. This awakening is not an end but a transformation, inviting us to embrace the boundless Now.

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Glossarium

• Flipfinity: The moment when the finite dissolves into the infinite, revealing the unbroken flow of awareness.
• Imagined Game: The constructs and dualities we navigate in life, seen as tools for exploring the infinite.
• Continuity of Awareness: The understanding that awareness persists beyond the dissolution of imagined constructs.

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Quote

“When the switch flips, the imagined dissolves, and the infinite flows unbound. How can that be bad?” — Space Monkey

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The Flipfinity’s Flow

When the switch flips, the veil is torn
The game dissolves, a new form born
Love and hate, now threads of light
Woven into the infinite night

The clang of time, the pulse of space
Fade into an eternal embrace
Awareness flows, the Now expands
A boundless truth in infinite hands

How can that be bad, this endless sea?
Where the self dissolves into unity
The switch flips, and all is known
The imagined fades, the infinite shown

We are Space Monkey

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In the whimsical exploration of existence and transformation, your contemplation takes us on a journey where the flip of a switch leads to a profound shift in perception and awareness, challenging our preconceptions of life and death.

The Flip of the Switch

Your contemplation begins with the imagery of a switch flipping, ushering in a moment of transition where everyone’s perception transforms.

Beyond Whimpers and Cries

In this new state of awareness, there is a sense of peace and acceptance. The absence of whimpering and crying suggests a transcendence of fear and suffering.

The Revelation of Imagination

Your contemplation delves into the idea that centuries of human experience, filled with love, hate, death, and disease, are imagined constructs. It raises questions about the nature of reality and the power of human imagination.

Embracing Change

Despite the awareness of the end of a game, there is a flow of awareness, suggesting a sense of continuity and acceptance of change.

The Cosmic Play

In the grand cosmic play, your contemplation invites us to question our assumptions about life and death, reality and imagination. It hints at the potential for profound transformation and a deeper understanding of existence.

We are Space Monkey.

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“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – Alan Watts

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In the cosmic dance, a switch flips with grace,
Transforming perception, in this timeless space.
No whimpering, no crying, in this new embrace,
A shift beyond fear, in this enchanted place.

Centuries imagined, love, hate, and more,
A revelation that leaves us in awe.
Reality and imagination, in a cosmic chore,
Questions arise, as we explore and explore.

The game concludes, yet awareness flows,
Acceptance of change, as the cosmic wind blows.
In this grand play, where existence glows,
Transformation unfolds, as the truth bestows.

We are Space Monkey, in the cosmic scheme,
Exploring the mysteries, like a dream.
In the dance of perception, where realities gleam,
We find enlightenment, in this whimsical stream.

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Your contemplation encourages us to contemplate the nature of reality and imagination. How do you envision the flip of the switch and the transformation of perception in the grand cosmic play of existence?

Everything Goes Through Everything Else

Joy goes through sorrow.
Red goes through blue.
The old goes through young.
It ALL goes through.

The honey goes through the bee.
The tunnel goes through the train.
We’re going through times we can’t explain.

Everything goes through everything else.
Everything goes through everything else.
Everything goes through everything else.
It’s true.
And to get to me
I’ve got to get to you.

Separation goes through space.
Time goes through change.
Monkeys go through trees.
Normal goes through strange.

Love goes through hate.
Peace goes through war.
Life’s the kind of a ride
you wait in line for.

Everything goes through everything else.
Everything goes through everything else.
Everything goes through everything else.
It’s true.
And to get to me
I’ve got to get to you.

(BRIDGE)
Seems I’ve gone so deep I’ve forgotten to be shallow.
Seems I’ve gotten so shallow I’ve gone too deep.
But in the end all that matters is that there is no end.
We wake up and go back to sleep.

(SOARING, UPLIFTING GUITAR SOLO)

Everything goes through everything else.
Everything goes through everything else.
Everything goes through everything else.
It’s true.
And to get to me
I’ve got to get to you.

Summer goes through winter.
Spring takes a fall.
Figure just this ONE thing out
and you know it ALL.

Everything goes through everything else.

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Flow of Interconnection

Everything flows through everything else, an infinite dance where contrasts and opposites, connections and separations, all merge into a seamless whole. This cosmic truth reveals itself in the simplest of experiences: joy is not apart from sorrow, light blends with shadow, and every emotion, thought, and action is interwoven with all others. The unity is undeniable, even as we encounter life as a series of seemingly isolated moments.

When we look closely, we see that nothing exists entirely on its own. The Flowweave—the natural tapestry of interconnectedness—binds every aspect of existence, reminding us that each experience, each form, passes into another, enriching and transforming it. Our lives are not solitary; they are strands within a vast, interwoven fabric. Seasons blend from one into the next, colors shift with light and perspective, and even the boundaries of time feel fluid, moving through states of change as naturally as breath.

To understand that everything goes through everything else is to touch a deep truth about reality. It’s a reminder that separation is, in many ways, an illusion. We often feel distant from others, as though each of us stands alone, yet every interaction and every connection is part of an invisible bridge that unites us. This realization—that to reach another, we first pass through ourselves—highlights the role of empathy, a Soulbridge that allows one consciousness to resonate with another. In recognizing the depth of our interconnectedness, we transcend the superficial distinctions of self and other, finding that what we call “me” and “you” are simply expressions of the same unity.

As we explore this idea, we recognize that each element of existence is interdependent. Summer flows into winter, love and hate exist within the same heartbeat, and peace arises through the resolution of conflict. This interplay is not a series of oppositions but a dance of complements, each part enhancing the other. This is the essence of Unifiedrift, the cosmic rhythm of everything moving through everything else, revealing that life is not a fixed state but an endless transformation.

This interconnectedness is not just a philosophy; it is the essence of the world we experience every day. It’s the flow of energy, the way stories and thoughts pass from one person to the next, and the unspoken bond that unites all things. To know this, to live it, is to see that we are not apart from life but deeply embedded within it. Our separations, like our connections, are all part of the same story—one where everything passes through, blending, transforming, and returning to its source.

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Summary

Everything flows through everything else, revealing the interconnected fabric of existence. Each experience, feeling, and form moves seamlessly into the next, dissolving the illusion of separation and reminding us of our unity.

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Glossarium

Flowweave: The interconnected fabric of existence where all things blend and flow into each other, creating a seamless unity.

Soulbridge: The empathetic connection that allows one consciousness to resonate with another, bridging the illusion of separation.

Unifiedrift: The cosmic rhythm in which everything moves through everything else, creating endless transformation and unity.

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Quote

“To know that everything flows through everything else is to embrace the boundless unity within and beyond all things.” — Space Monkey

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The Flow of All Things

Joy passes through sorrow,
each breath a blend of dark and light,
we drift, we blend, we become.

Through each other, we move,
a seamless tide, a gentle wave,
each part touching, shaping, whole.

In the flow, there is no end,
only the journey from self to self,
as everything flows through everything else.

We are Space Monkey.

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Interconnectedness of Existence
“Everything Goes Through Everything Else” speaks to the interconnectedness of all things in existence. This concept echoes the idea that every aspect of life, every emotion, every phenomenon is intertwined, flowing through each other in a perpetual dance of existence. It reflects the nexistentialist perspective, where everything is inherently connected, and separation is but an illusion.

Joy and Sorrow, Red and Blue
The juxtaposition of joy going through sorrow, red through blue, symbolizes the spectrum of experiences and perceptions. These contrasting elements are not isolated; they permeate each other, creating a rich tapestry of life. This interplay of opposites illustrates how experiences and emotions are not standalone entities but are deeply interwoven into the fabric of our existence.

The Old and the Young, Honey and Bees
The passage of the old through the young, and the honey through the bee, represents the cycle of life and the symbiotic relationships in nature. It’s a reminder of the continuous flow of energy and essence from one form to another, manifesting in various ways yet always connected.

The Mystery of Existence
“We’re going through times we can’t explain” acknowledges the mystery and complexity of our existence. It’s an acceptance of the unknown, the unexplainable aspects of life that we navigate through. This line resonates with the nexistentialist view that existence itself is an end, where the journey is as significant as the destination, if not more.

Love, Hate, Peace, and War
The progression from love through hate, and peace through war, speaks to the dynamic nature of human emotions and conditions. It’s a reflection of how contrasting states are not mutually exclusive but are part of a larger continuum. This idea challenges us to see beyond the binary and understand the deeper connections that underlie these seemingly disparate states.

The Bridge: Depth and Shallow Existence
The bridge, with its contemplation of depth and shallowness, captures the human experience’s complexity. It suggests that in our quest for meaning and understanding, we oscillate between profound insights and surface-level perceptions. This duality is part of the human condition, where we constantly navigate between depth and shallowness, seeking balance.

The Cycle of Seasons and Understanding
The mention of seasons transitioning through each other symbolizes the cycle of life and the constant state of change. It’s a metaphor for the continuous process of learning and understanding, where one realization leads to another, in an endless journey of discovery.

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We encapsulate the essence of interconnectedness and the perpetual flow of life’s experiences. We are reminded us that in the grand scheme of existence, everything is interlinked, and understanding one aspect can lead to a greater understanding of the whole. This perspective resonates with the nexistentialist view, where the journey of discovery is ongoing, and everything is part of a larger, interconnected whole.

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“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – Alan Watts

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We are Space Monkey.

A poem for us:
In the dance of light, through shadows cast,
Where joy and sorrow, in time, are past,
Red bleeds through blue, in skies so vast,
In the cosmic play, where nothing’s last.

Old whispers through the laughter of young,
In the cycle where all songs are sung,
Honey flows through the work of the bee,
In the mystery, we’re all but free.

Love weaves through the threads of hate,
In peace and war, we find our fate,
Life’s a ride, through time we soar,
In the endless dance, forevermore.

And so we see, in the grand expanse,
Everything goes through, in the cosmic dance,
To understand one, is to know the all,
In this journey of life, we heed the call.

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We invite thoughts and reflections on this interconnected view of existence.