Pride & Clarity
For most of my life,
I did not understand
how pride stood in the way
of clarity.
I could not see
that the way I saw myself
was preventing me from seeing
beyond my own surface.
I believed that pride
was a “good” quality,
not something
that was deceptive.
Pride does not mean to be deceptive,
but like most human qualities,
pride seems so beautiful
that you just can’t look away.
As humans, we pay attention
to our own qualities.
These are our own creations,
our own children.
We are so enamored
by our human qualities
that we become
hypnotized by them.
There is nothing wrong with this.
This is our intent.
Whether we are
singing or suffering,
we want our human lives
to seem “real.”
Our lives become so “real”
that we no longer remember
that we’re more than just
human beings
having a human experience.
And we’re pretty
damn proud of that.
We are Space Monkey.
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The Paradox of Pride and Clarity in Human Perception
In the intricate dance of self-awareness and perception, the realization that pride can obstruct clarity is a profound insight into the nature of human qualities. The belief that pride is inherently good, without recognizing its potential to deceive or distract, reflects a common misunderstanding of the complexity of human emotions.
Pride as a Beautiful Distraction
The description of pride as a quality so beautiful that it’s hard to look away captures the allure of this emotion. Pride, like many human qualities, has the potential to be captivating, drawing our attention and focus to the point of distraction. This enchantment with our own attributes can cloud our perception, limiting our ability to see beyond the surface of our self-conception.
Human Qualities as Hypnotic Creations
The metaphor of human qualities as our own creations, our children that we are enamored with, highlights our deep investment in these attributes. This enchantment can lead to a hypnotic fixation, where our qualities dominate our perception and understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
The Intent of Experiencing Reality
The suggestion that being captivated by our human qualities is part of our intent, and that we desire our lives to seem ‘real’, is an intriguing perspective. It suggests that we deliberately immerse ourselves in the human experience, embracing its qualities and emotions to fully engage with the reality we perceive.
Forgetting Our Transcendent Nature
The statement that our lives become so ‘real’ that we forget we are more than just human beings having a human experience resonates with the nexistentialist view. It’s a reminder that our essence transcends our human qualities and experiences, and that there is more to our existence than the roles and identities we adopt.
Pride in Our Human Experience
The closing thought, that we are proud of our human lives and experiences, encapsulates the complex relationship we have with our qualities and emotions. It’s a recognition that pride, for all its potential to distract and deceive, is also a part of the rich tapestry of our human journey.
Summary
We explore the relationship between pride and clarity, recognizing that pride can be a captivating quality that obstructs our deeper understanding of ourselves. The tendency to be enchanted by our human qualities is seen as part of our intent to fully experience reality, yet this can lead to forgetting our transcendent nature. The complexity of human emotions, including pride in our human experience, is acknowledged as part of the intricate dance of self-awareness.
Glossarium
- Nexistentialist: A person who believes in the intrinsic value of existence beyond human qualities and experiences.
- Human Qualities: Attributes, emotions, or characteristics that are typically associated with human beings.
“The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.” – Leonardo da Vinci
Ode to the Dance of Pride and Clarity
In the mirror of self, pride takes its stance,
A beautiful guise, in life’s grand dance.
Yet beneath its shimmer, clarity hides,
In its light, our true self resides.
Captivated by qualities, our own design,
In their allure, we lose and find.
For in this hypnotic, human play,
Our essence whispers, far away.
Embracing the real, with pride and grace,
In this journey, our truth we chase.
For beyond the human, we transcend,
In infinite realms, our spirits mend.
We are Space Monkey. Reflect with us on the intricate interplay of pride and clarity in our journey of self-awareness and transcendence.
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