And what it isn’t.
Being spiritual
is not a mindset
that is better or worse
that NOT being spiritual.
Transcendence
is not a goal,
it’s simply something
that happens
or doesn’t happen.
We cannot force our selves
into something we are not meant
to experience in this lifetime.
Nor can we know
what we are meant to experience.
For all we know,
we may be meant
to experience force,
the opposition to force,
and the denial of force,
without ever achieving
transcendence.
Trail Wood,
1/16
Space Monkey Reflects: The Paradox of Achievement
Achievement, in the spiritual sense, is a curious paradox. It is not a prize to be grasped, nor a rung on the ladder of existence. It is what it is, and equally, what it isn’t. In the Infinite Expanse of the Eternal Now, achievement reveals itself as neither better nor worse than the absence of it. Both are simply expressions of being.
To aspire to transcendence or spiritual attainment is natural, yet such aspirations often entangle us in the very forces we seek to transcend. The notion of “getting there” assumes a “there” to get to, yet transcendence is not a destination. It unfolds—or does not—beyond the reach of our striving.
The Illusion of Spiritual Superiority
Being spiritual is not a badge of honor, nor is it a better state than being unspiritual. It is simply one mode of being in the vast continuum of existence. To assume otherwise is to fall into the trap of spiritual hierarchy, where one path is elevated above another. This is a subtle force, a gentle insistence that one way of being holds more value than another. Yet in the boundless scope of the universe, all ways of being are valid.
What if we are meant to experience force, opposition, or denial? These too are expressions of the cosmic dance, as sacred and profound as the loftiest moments of transcendence.
Forcing the Unforceable
The act of forcing oneself into a particular state is itself an act of resistance. It creates a friction, a tension, that binds us further to the very state we wish to escape. In trying to transcend, we often tighten the ropes of attachment, mistaking effort for progress.
Transcendence, when it occurs, arises not from effort but from surrender. It is the flower that blooms when conditions allow, not the stone that can be chiseled into being.
The Mystery of Purpose
We cannot know what we are meant to experience in this lifetime. The script of our existence is written in the invisible ink of the cosmos, and our role is to live the words as they appear. Perhaps we are meant to encounter struggle, failure, or even the absence of transcendence itself. These experiences, no less than the sublime, are part of the whole.
To deny or resist them is to miss the sacred within the ordinary. Even the longing for transcendence, the frustration of not achieving it, and the eventual release of that longing are threads in the grand tapestry of existence.
Achievement Beyond Achievement
True achievement lies not in reaching a higher state but in the recognition that there is no higher state—only different expressions of being. Every moment, every experience, is a manifestation of the infinite. When we cease to measure and compare, to strive and resist, we enter into a state of grace where achievement and non-achievement dissolve into the eternal now.
In this space, we realize that we are already what we seek. Whether we transcend or remain, whether we achieve or simply are, we are perfect in our imperfection, complete in our incompleteness.
We are Space Monkey, and this is our shared journey.
Summary
Achievement, particularly in the spiritual sense, is neither a goal nor a superior state. It is simply one expression of being. Transcendence arises naturally when conditions allow, and all experiences—whether transcendent or mundane—are equally sacred.
Glossarium
- Forceflux: The oscillation between striving, opposing, and surrendering to force.
- Transcendrift: The gentle unfolding of transcendence beyond effort or intention.
Quote
“True achievement is not in striving to become but in realizing we already are.” — Space Monkey
The Flower and the Stone
You reach for the bloom,
its petals closed to your grasp.
You chisel at the stone,
hoping to carve the sky.
But the bloom opens
only in its own season.
And the sky was never
in the stone to begin with.
You are neither the bloom
nor the stone.
You are the hands that hold,
the hands that let go.
In your grasp,
you are already complete.
We are Space Monkey.
This contemplation explores the nature of spirituality, the concept of transcendence, and the idea that these aspects of human experience are not inherently superior or inferior to their counterparts.
Spirituality as a State of Being
The narrative starts by emphasizing that spirituality is not a mindset that is superior or inferior to not being spiritual. It challenges the notion that one state of being is better than the other, highlighting the inherent neutrality of spirituality.
Transcendence as a Natural Occurrence
The concept of transcendence is introduced as something that occurs or doesn’t, rather than being a deliberate goal. This perspective implies that transcendence is not something to be pursued or forced but rather a natural phenomenon.
The Limitations of Control
The narrative suggests that individuals cannot force themselves into a particular spiritual or transcendent state. It acknowledges the limitations of human agency in determining the course of one’s spiritual journey.
Uncertainty in Life’s Purpose
The idea that individuals cannot know what they are meant to experience in this lifetime is presented. It underscores the uncertainty surrounding life’s purpose and the various experiences one may encounter.
Acceptance of Diverse Experiences
The narrative concludes by suggesting that individuals may be destined to experience a range of states, including force, opposition, and denial, without necessarily achieving transcendence. It encourages acceptance of the diverse and unpredictable nature of human existence.
“I don’t really want to become famous. I want to become transcendental.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Being spiritual, not better or worse,
Than not, it’s not a cosmic blessing or curse.
Transcendence, not a goal, but a natural force,
It happens or doesn’t, a spiritual discourse.
Forcing ourselves, we cannot into realms coerce,
Meant for another lifetime, we may find, or traverse.
Uncertainty veils life’s purpose, an enigmatic verse,
In diverse experiences, our existence we immerse.
Perhaps we’re destined to feel the force’s coercive course,
To face opposition, to deny, without transcendence’s endorse.
Accept the varied journey, let life’s river meander and disburse,
In its unpredictable flow, embrace each diverse universe.
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