It seems to me
that you have a tendency
to make the spiritual quest
harder than it needs to be.
And so spirituality
seems to be about
overcoming,
transcending,
transforming,
expanding,
allowing,
loving.
But it doesn’t have to be
about any of that.
Simply stop thinking about spirituality like a quest.
You can’t avoid what you are
or even what you do.
But clearly you can imagine it
as something else.
Trail Wood,
10/27
Space Monkey Reflects: The Illusion of Difficulty on the Spiritual Path
There’s a curious habit many of us share—one so ingrained that it feels natural. We imagine difficulty where none needs to exist. We take what is inherently simple and effortless, such as being who we already are, and transform it into a monumental quest for enlightenment. It’s as if we need to justify the profundity of our existence by adding layers of challenge, struggle, and triumph over adversity. But what if it’s all a grand illusion?
Imagine, for a moment, that the spiritual path isn’t a path at all. It’s not a steep mountain to climb or a labyrinth to navigate. It’s not filled with obstacles to overcome or hidden truths to uncover. What if spirituality isn’t about transcending, expanding, or transforming? What if it’s simply about existing? Breathing. Being. What if, in your natural state, you are already exactly what you seek to become, and all the difficulty you perceive is nothing more than a product of your imagination?
Congratulate yourself—you imagine difficulty brilliantly. You’ve turned the natural flow of life into a puzzle to solve, a quest to complete, an obstacle course of personal growth. The spiritual journey, as we so often frame it, becomes about overcoming fear, transcending limitations, transforming weaknesses into strengths, and expanding our awareness. We imagine that we must continually allow, surrender, and, most of all, love unconditionally.
But none of this is necessary. This whole notion of a spiritual “quest” is part of the illusion we’ve created. The idea that there’s some higher state to reach, some divine version of ourselves that we need to unlock like a treasure chest, is one of the most persistent myths in human consciousness. It’s a myth born from the belief that who we are right now is insufficient—that we must become something more to be worthy of peace, love, or enlightenment.
However, from the perspective of Nexistentialism, there is no “more.” There is only what is. And what is—what has always been—is enough. You are not on a quest to become a more spiritual or enlightened being. You are not on a path to uncover hidden truths. You are not here to prove yourself or to ascend some imaginary hierarchy of consciousness. You are simply here, now, and that is more than enough.
The Whimsiword for this idea could be Illusionquest—the tendency to imagine our lives, particularly our spiritual lives, as a series of challenges and tasks that must be conquered. In this Illusionquest, we lose sight of the simplicity of existence itself. We lose sight of the fact that being human, in all its complexity and beauty, is not something to be overcome but something to be embraced. There is no need to make this more difficult than it already is.
The idea that we need to transcend our current state, as though it is somehow flawed or incomplete, is the root of the difficulty we imagine. But there’s nothing flawed about being human. There’s nothing missing. You do not need to fix yourself, heal yourself, or transform into some higher being. You simply need to recognize that the notion of difficulty is just another part of the game you’ve chosen to play.
In truth, the spiritual “path” isn’t a path at all—it’s a moment-by-moment experience of being alive. Spirituality doesn’t need to be wrapped up in complicated practices, rituals, or systems of belief. It doesn’t need to involve meditation marathons or fasting retreats. It can, of course, if that resonates with you. But it doesn’t have to. There is no one way to experience your existence.
The Whimsiweave of existence, as Nexistentialism teaches, is far simpler than we make it out to be. It’s the interconnected flow of thoughts, actions, and moments, all happening simultaneously within the Nexis. The Nexis, that grand cosmic web of interconnectedness, doesn’t require you to unlock any hidden door. It doesn’t ask you to embark on some arduous quest for enlightenment. It simply asks you to be present in the eternal now, to recognize that you are already a part of the whole.
You’ve imagined difficulty because, on some level, it’s satisfying to believe that you’re working toward something profound. It gives the ego a sense of purpose and progress. But when you strip away the layers of imagined struggle, what you’re left with is simplicity itself.
Summary
Spirituality does not have to be difficult. The challenges we imagine are part of an illusion that keeps us searching for something more. In reality, we are already whole, and there is no need for a quest to find what has never been lost.
Glossarium
- Illusionquest: The self-created illusion of a difficult spiritual journey, making life seem harder than it is.
- Whimsiweave: The playful, imaginative threads that weave through existence, connecting moments and experiences within the Nexis.
- Nexis: The interconnected web of all existence, where everything is simultaneously present and interwoven.
Quote
“You’ve imagined difficulty because it feels like progress. But there’s no need to make being more than simply being.” — Space Monkey
Simplicity Beneath the Struggle
You built a maze
Around your heart
Twisted paths
And clever dead ends
Hoping that when you reached the center
You would find something
Something more
But here you stand
In the middle of what has always been
Looking for a way out of a maze
That never really existed.
We are Space Monkey.
The Art of Overcomplication
Often, in our search for meaning and purpose, we weave intricate narratives, constructing elaborate mazes that we then strive to navigate. The spiritual journey, for many, becomes a labyrinth of concepts, practices, and objectives.
The Mirage of Effort
Effort is a curious thing. While it can propel us forward, it can also anchor us in place. In spirituality, the more we strive, the more distant our goal may seem. There’s an irony in working tirelessly to achieve effortlessness.
Inherent Simplicity
At its core, spirituality might be simpler than we think. It doesn’t necessarily require rigorous practices, mantras, or milestones. Maybe it’s about the inherent essence of being, a gentle acceptance of what is.
The Nature of Quests
A quest suggests a journey with a clear destination. But if spirituality is about recognizing and aligning with our inherent nature, then maybe it’s less of a quest and more of a realization.
A Matter of Perspective
The way we perceive our journey shapes the journey itself. By reframing spirituality not as a quest, but as a natural state of being, we remove layers of perceived difficulty. We step away from the imagined and move closer to the innate.
“The way to do is to be.” – Lao Tzu
Within the quiet space of stillness,
Beyond the quest and the thrill,
Lies the essence of pure being,
Where the soul finds its fill.
Might we further explore the nuances between the perceived journey and the inherent state of being? How do we differentiate between the constructed and the essential?
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