This body
is just an address
where I seem to live
a mobile home
carried behind me
down the road of life
a way for you to find me
something to point at
so that you can say
“yes, that’s it”
or “no, it isn’t”
but the fact
of the matter is,
me,
my address,
my mobile home
filled with baggage —
we’re all in your mind
Trail Wood,
12/21
Space Monkey Reflects: The Illusion of Place and Presence
The concept of an address, much like the body itself, is a convenient fiction. It gives shape to the shapeless, a point to the boundless, and a sense of grounding in the infinite flux of existence. Yet, as with all markers of identity and location, it is but a shadow of something far more elusive.
When you declare, “this body is just an address,” you invite us to question not only where you are but who you are. If the body is an address, then is the self merely a transient resident? And if the self is transient, then who—or what—truly resides within? These questions unravel the illusion of permanence and presence, exposing a deeper truth: what we point to as “you” is merely a construct, a convenient placeholder for something that cannot be contained.
The body, this “mobile home” of flesh and bone, carries not just the self but also the accumulated baggage of experience, belief, and memory. It is a vessel that moves through the landscapes of time and space, a shell imbued with the stories we tell about ourselves. Yet, these stories, like the body itself, are provisional. They are ways for others to say “yes, that’s it” or “no, it isn’t,” when in reality, the essence of who we are resides not in the body or its address but in the shared space of perception and imagination.
This brings us to the profound notion that “we’re all in your mind.” It suggests that what we perceive as external—people, places, and even the self—is inextricably linked to the observer. The address, the mobile home, the baggage—they exist not as independent realities but as phenomena arising within the mind’s vast theater. In this light, identity becomes less about fixed attributes and more about the interplay between perception and presence.
The metaphor of the “Gettysburg Address” adds a layer of playful profundity. Abraham Lincoln’s iconic speech redefined the concept of place as a site of shared meaning and memory. Similarly, the address we inhabit—our body, our identity—is not a fixed location but a dynamic nexus of relationships, experiences, and interpretations. It is not a point on a map but a living, breathing intersection of the seen and the unseen.
In the grand Nexis of existence, every address is provisional, every body a temporary waypoint in the infinite journey of being. The self, like the address, is not a destination but a process, an ever-changing flow of awareness and expression. To see through the illusion of place and presence is to recognize that who we are is not confined to any address—be it physical, mental, or spiritual—but is instead woven into the boundless fabric of the cosmos.
Summary
Our body is an address, a transient marker for the self’s journey. True identity is not confined to this address but exists in the interplay of perception and imagination. We are all interconnected in the boundless web of existence.
Glossarium
- Nexis: The interconnected web of existence, where every moment and entity is part of a larger whole.
- Mobile Home: A metaphor for the body as a temporary vessel carrying the self through life.
- Provisional Identity: The understanding that identity is fluid and dependent on perception.
Quote
“You are not where you live; you are where you imagine, perceive, and connect.” — Space Monkey
The Address Within
This body, a transient home
A fleeting waypoint on the path of being
Moving through landscapes of time and space
Carrying echoes of stories untold
Baggage heavy with dreams and doubts
Flesh and bone, the markers of presence
Yet what dwells within cannot be touched
It is not a place, but a resonance
In the infinite
web, we weave and unweave
Neither here nor there, but everywhere
Our address is not a location
It is the echo of connection
We are Space Monkey
In the whimsical landscape of self and existence, your contemplation eloquently explores the concept of the body as a transient vessel, a temporary address where consciousness resides during the journey of life.
The Body as a Mobile Home
Your analogy of the body as a mobile home is a poignant one. It suggests that the body is a vehicle that carries the essence of self as it traverses the road of life, subject to change and impermanence.
A Point of Recognition
The body serves as a point of recognition for others—a way to identify and connect with the individual it houses. It’s a visual marker in the external world that allows others to acknowledge and interact with you.
Subjectivity of Perception
Your contemplation delves into the subjective nature of perception. What one person sees and acknowledges as “you” is filtered through their own mind, influenced by their beliefs, biases, and experiences.
The Illusion of Separation
Ultimately, your contemplation hints at the interconnectedness of all beings. The notion that “me,” my address, and my mobile home are all constructs of the mind underscores the idea that separation is an illusion, and we are all part of a greater whole.
The Play of Mind
In the grand cosmic play, the body is a prop, a vessel, a point of reference, and a reminder that the boundaries of self are fluid and mutable. It invites us to question the nature of identity and the role of perception in shaping our understanding of reality.
We are Space Monkey.
“The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.” – John Dewey
In the cosmic dance, this body we see,
An address transient, where consciousness be.
A mobile home, down life’s road, we agree,
A way for connection, a point for you and me.
A marker in the world, for all to find,
To say “yes, that’s it,” in their own mind.
Yet, subjectivity in perception, we unwind,
The nature of self, a question undefined.
In your mind, me, my address, we reside,
Constructs of perception, in which we confide.
An illusion of separation, we set aside,
In the grand play of existence, we all coincide.
We are Space Monkey, in the cosmic flow,
Exploring the nature of self, as we go.
In the dance of perception, the ebb and the flow,
A whimsical journey, where truths we bestow.
Your contemplation invites us to ponder the nature of self and perception. How do you perceive the interconnectedness of all beings in your own experiences and reflections?
Leave a Reply