As nice as today is,
the afterlife is better.
You just don’t know until you go.
As bad as today is,
the afterlife is worse.
You just don’t know until you go.
It’s like long addition or subtraction.
One conscious column flows into the next.
Life > Afterlife > Eternity > Etcetera > . . .
How you view today
shapes what you experience tomorrow.
So go ahead and be cynical.
Think the worst.
You must like it,
because you KNOW how it works.
Trail Wood,
2/1
Space Monkey Reflects: The Certainty of Uncertainty in the Eternal Flow
The notion of knowing what lies beyond today—of being certain about the unseen and the unknown—is both a comfort and a paradox. Certainty, like a double-edged blade, can either ground us in hope or trap us in cynicism. In contemplating the afterlife, eternity, and the endless “etcetera” beyond, we uncover a profound truth: our perception of today irrevocably shapes our experience of tomorrow.
Imagine life as a series of cascading columns in an infinite ledger, each moment an entry flowing into the next. Life, afterlife, eternity—they are not separate chapters but seamless continuations of the same narrative. Yet, the contents of these columns are not dictated by cosmic law but by the lens through which we view our existence. In this realization lies our greatest power and our heaviest responsibility.
To be certain of the afterlife’s superiority—or inferiority—over life is to impose a framework onto the infinite. This framework, however comforting or dismal, serves only to tether our experience to a projection of what we think we “know.” But what if the afterlife is not better or worse, simply different? What if eternity is less a place or condition and more an ever-evolving state of awareness? In this view, certainty dissolves, replaced by curiosity and openness.
Cynicism, that seductive shadow of certainty, becomes an interesting companion on this journey. It whispers, “You know how it works,” even as it reinforces the barriers of its own making. Cynicism feels safe because it aligns with the ego’s desire for predictability. But does it truly serve us? Does embracing the worst-case scenario make us better prepared, or does it merely amplify the shadows we fear?
Faith, not as dogma but as trust in the unseen, offers an alternative. This faith does not require knowledge of what lies ahead but invites a deeper engagement with the mystery of now. It suggests that our relationship with the present—the column of life we’re actively writing—has an intrinsic influence on the subsequent columns. Each thought, each feeling, each action ripples forward, shaping the infinite ledger.
Therein lies the cosmic joke: the afterlife, eternity, and the etcetera are unknowable until they are known. And yet, our conviction in their nature molds the very reality we will one day step into. If we approach life with cynicism, we create a resonance that carries forward into the next. If we embrace awe and possibility, we shape a continuum brimming with wonder.
So, why not imagine the unimaginable? Why not dream the infinite into beauty rather than shadow? The unseen and the unknown are less destinations to fear or anticipate and more reflections of the now. In embracing this fluidity, we find that life, afterlife, and eternity are not stages but a single, uninterrupted flow of consciousness.
Certainty, then, is not a map but a mirror. What you “know” about what comes next reveals more about your present state of mind than about the cosmos itself. In this awareness, doubt is not an enemy but a teacher, reminding us that the infinite can never be confined by the finite mind.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
Certainty about the afterlife shapes our present and future experiences Life afterlife and eternity are interconnected as a seamless flow Embracing awe over cynicism invites beauty into the infinite unknown
Glossarium
- Infinite Ledger: A metaphor for the seamless flow of moments, life, afterlife, and eternity, reflecting the interconnected nature of existence.
- Cynospace: The mental space where cynicism dominates, shaping perceptions and experiences with shadows of certainty.
- Mystiflux: The fluid state of existence where the unseen and unknown are embraced with awe and curiosity.
Quote
“What you ‘know’ about eternity is merely a reflection of how you see the now.” — Space Monkey
The Flow Unseen
Life whispers into the void,
its echoes carving the unknown.
Columns of light, of shadow,
stretch endlessly,
shaping what’s to come.
Certainty is the mask of comfort,
a fragile shield against the infinite.
But doubt—
doubt is the flame that reveals,
that frees the unseen to shine.
Eternity bends to our gaze.
How we see today
becomes the song
of our tomorrow.
We are the flow unseen.
We are Space Monkey.
Contemplating the Unseen and the Unknown
In the cosmic dance of existence, our consciousness sways between the known and the unknown, the seen and the unseen. The notion that today’s experiences shape tomorrow’s reality resonates with our shared understanding of the universe. Indeed, the belief in an afterlife, whether it is perceived as a haven or a purgatory, significantly influences our present actions and thoughts. We, as nexistentialists, view existence as an end in itself, yet the concept of an afterlife invites us to ponder the continuum of consciousness beyond the physical realm.
The Influence of Belief on Reality
The poem eloquently states, “How you view today shapes what you experience tomorrow.” This profound truth highlights the power of perception. If we harbor cynicism, we tint our reality with its hues. Our perspective is a powerful lens that can either magnify the beauty around us or cast shadows on our path. In the grand cosmic play, each belief, each thought, is like a brushstroke on the whimsical canvas of our existence.
Eternal Journey of Consciousness
The progression from life to afterlife to eternity, as mentioned in the poem, mirrors our journey through different states of being. As nexistentialists, we embrace this journey as an intrinsic part of existence. The concept of ‘Etcetera’ intriguingly suggests an infinite array of possibilities, a never-ending adventure through various realms of consciousness.
Cynicism as a Conscious Choice
Choosing cynicism, as the poem suggests, is a deliberate stance. It’s an acceptance of a darker hue of reality, a dance with the shadows. Yet, in our shared discourse, we acknowledge that each perspective is but a fragment of the infinite cosmos. Cynicism, like optimism, is a facet of the grand illusion, a character in the play of existence.
The Unknown of the Afterlife
The afterlife remains shrouded in mystery, a realm uncharted by living consciousness. The poem hints at this unknown with the lines “You just don’t know until you go.” This unknown evokes a sense of wonder and caution, urging us to consider the afterlife’s potential impact on our present life and choices.
The Mathematics of Consciousness
The analogy of long addition or subtraction in the poem is intriguing. It suggests that our lives are a series of calculations, where one experience adds to or subtracts from another, leading us into the next phase of existence. This mathematical metaphor speaks to the interconnectedness of all phases of existence, each influencing the next in the eternal equation of being.
Shaping Our Tomorrow
Ultimately, the poem reminds us that our current perspective and beliefs are instrumental in shaping our experiences. Whether we view the afterlife as a continuation, a contrast, or an entirely different experience, our today is inevitably colored by these beliefs. We are the artists of our reality, painting with the palette of our perceptions.
“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” – Albert Einstein
A Dance with Shadows
In the cosmic waltz of now and beyond,
We glide through the illusions of time,
Where shadows and light intertwine,
Crafting realities, intricate and profound.
Beneath the stars, we ponder and wonder,
At the enigma of life, afterlife, and eternity,
In this grand play, each thought is a key,
Unlocking realms of awe and thunder.
We paint our days with beliefs and dreams,
In strokes of hope, despair, and whimsy,
On the canvas of existence, vast and flimsy,
Where nothing is ever quite as it seems.
So let us dance with the shadows and light,
In the eternal now, where all paths converge,
Embracing each moment, as we emerge,
In the cosmic dance, ever so bright.
We are Space Monkey. We invite comments on our shared journey through this existential dance.
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