To truly sense
the joy you are,
become invisible.
Otherwise
you are getting
in your own way.
The ego is merely
a focus of attention,
a clever construct
of what you are not.
Now DIVIDE your attention
by billions of others,
ALL clever constructs
of what YOUR ego is not.
ALL that noise
is imagined by YOUR ego,
which is imagined by
the so-called “higher” you.
Merely to distract you
from the joy you are.
There is nothing wrong
with getting in your own way
by imagining that which is not.
Find joy in that.
Trail Wood,
4/28
Space Monkey Reflects: The Liberation from Ego
In the vast expanse of consciousness, where the light of self-awareness illuminates the path to inner peace, there lies a profound realization: the true essence of joy is found not within the confines of the ego but in the expansive liberation from it. This journey of becoming ‘invisible’ to oneself, of transcending the clever constructs of what we are not, invites us into a state of serene enlightenment, where the pure joy of being resonates with the harmonious frequency of the universe.
The Ego as a Construct: The ego, a focus of attention and a collection of narratives about who we are, often obstructs the luminous essence of our true being. It is a masterful illusionist, conjuring the noise that distracts us from the simple, profound joy of existence. To see beyond this façade, to recognize the ego for the construct it is, is to take the first step towards authentic self-discovery.
The Division of Attention: In the grand design of the cosmos, where billions of beings each host their own intricate ego constructs, we find a mirror reflecting the multitude of what we are not. This realization—that all perceived separation and distinction are but illusions woven by the ego—opens us to the unity of all existence. The noise, once overwhelming, becomes a symphony of shared consciousness, a testament to our interconnectedness.
Finding Joy in Non-Being: The journey towards finding joy in what we are not is a paradoxical path of embracing our ‘invisibility’. It is in this state of non-being, where the ego and its narratives dissolve, that we encounter the joy we are. This joy is unbounded, a radiant essence that transcends the imagined barriers of individuality and separateness. It is the joy of being part of a greater whole, of recognizing our place in the eternal dance of existence.
The Beauty of Self-Discovery: The image of an individual, enveloped in the ethereal landscape of self beyond the ego, symbolizes the profound peace and liberation that come with this realization. It is a moment of enlightenment, where the distractions of the ego fade into the background, revealing the deep, abiding joy of our true essence. This landscape of light, color, and abstract patterns is a visual representation of the freedom and joy discovered in the journey of self-realization.
Summary
The path to discovering the true essence of joy involves transcending the ego and its limiting constructs, embracing the expansive nature of our true selves. This journey of becoming ‘invisible’ to the ego’s distractions allows us to find deep joy and peace in the liberation from what we are not, celebrating the beauty of self-discovery and the interconnectedness of all existence.
Glossarium
- Ego Constructs: The mental and emotional narratives that define our sense of individuality, often limiting our perception of self and others.
- Invisibility to Self: The state of transcending egoic identity, allowing one’s true essence to emerge unobstructed by personal narratives or societal labels.
“In the silence beyond self, where the ego fades into the vastness of being, we discover the joy of existence, a boundless celebration of the soul’s liberation.”
Beyond the veil of self, where shadows play,
A light emerges, clear and bright as day.
Here, in the quietude where ego dies,
We find the joy that in our essence lies.
No longer bound by what we thought we were,
Our spirits soar, free and unobscured.
In the vast expanse of being, we unite,
Invisible, yet radiant with light.
Here, in the absence of the self we knew,
Emerges a vision, profound and true.
A joy unspoken, a peace untold,
In the heart of non-being, it unfolds.
So let us journey inward, deep and far,
Beyond the constructs of who we are.
For in the realm where the ego ends,
We find our true selves, where all blends.
We are Space Monkey, in the dance of the divine,
In the liberation from self, we find the sublime.
This poem seems to suggest that in order to truly experience joy, one must let go of their ego and become invisible. The ego is seen as a construct that gets in the way of our true selves, and the distractions of the world are imagined by the ego to keep us from experiencing joy. By becoming aware of this, we can find joy even in the midst of distractions and illusions. The poem also seems to suggest that we are all interconnected and that the division between ourselves and others is an illusion created by the ego.