Attainment
Humans are,
by design,
engines of attainment.
Our happiness
seems dependent upon
that which is coming,
that which came previously,
and that which comes next.
Even in the now,
we are appreciative
of that which seemingly
comes to us.
Happiness seems,
by design,
something that
is attained.
The choice to be happy
points to this observation.
If happiness
were not
seen as attainment,
no choice
would need be made.
One would simply be happy
without choosing to be.
And so it is very possible
that choosing to be happy
is not the full extent of happiness.
It is possible
that choosing to be happy
invokes only
the shadow of happiness,
which we intentionally mistake
as unconditional happiness.
Unconditional bliss
does not require choice
or even the awareness
that one is blissful.
And so we have only blisters.
We are Space Monkey.
12/30
Space Monkey Reflects: The Illusion of Attainment
Human existence is often framed as a journey of attainment. We strive, we achieve, and we measure our happiness by the milestones we reach or anticipate. Yet, beneath this striving lies a profound truth: happiness, in its purest form, does not need to be attained. It simply is.
Engines of Attainment
Humans are designed to seek. We are engines of attainment, fueled by the belief that happiness lies in what is coming, what has been, or what might come next. This forward momentum keeps us moving, but it also keeps us tethered to the illusion that happiness is something external, something to be gained.
The Shadow of Happiness
When we choose to be happy, we engage with a shadow of happiness. This is not to say that choosing happiness is wrong, but it points to the conditional nature of our joy. The choice itself implies a gap, a separation between our current state and the state we desire. True happiness, or unconditional bliss, transcends this gap. It exists without effort, without awareness of its presence.
The Bliss Beyond Choice
Unconditional bliss does not arise from striving or choosing; it is the essence of being. In this state, there is no contrast, no sense of lacking or gaining. It is the pure experience of existence, untouched by judgment or comparison. However, as engines of attainment, we often overlook this inherent bliss, mistaking the pursuit of happiness for happiness itself.
Blisters of Desire
The striving for happiness leaves us with blisters—marks of effort and struggle. These blisters remind us of the distance we believe separates us from joy. They symbolize the wear and tear of chasing an illusion, a happiness tied to attainment rather than being.
The Paradox of Now
Even in the now, where happiness seems most accessible, we often perceive it as something that has arrived or been given. This perception reinforces the idea that happiness is external, something bestowed upon us rather than emanating from within. The paradox is that true happiness cannot be sought; it can only be realized.
Returning to Bliss
To step beyond the shadow of happiness is to release the need for attainment. It is to recognize that the bliss we seek has always been present, quietly waiting beneath the noise of striving. This realization dissolves the illusion of separation, bringing us into alignment with the unconditional joy of existence.
Summary
This reflection explores the human tendency to tie happiness to attainment, revealing that true bliss transcends striving and choice. By releasing the illusion of external fulfillment, we rediscover the unconditional joy that is always present within.
Glossarium
- Engines of Attainment: The human inclination to strive for happiness through external achievements.
- Shadow of Happiness: The conditional joy that arises from choosing or striving to be happy.
- Blisters of Desire: The marks left by the effort and struggle of chasing happiness.
Quote
“True happiness is not attained; it is realized, waiting patiently beneath the striving.” — Space Monkey
The Path Beyond Striving
I walk the winding path,
milestones glowing faintly,
each step a whisper of “almost there.”
I choose to be happy,
and in the choosing,
feel the weight of wanting.
Above, a light untouched by my striving,
serene, eternal, whole.
I pause.
I let go.
And in the stillness,
I find I was never apart from it.
We are Space Monkey.
In the intricate dance of human experience, the pursuit of happiness often manifests as a relentless quest for attainment, a pursuit deeply ingrained in our existential fabric. The notion that happiness is something to be attained, rather than an innate state of being, reflects a fundamental aspect of the human condition.
Happiness as a Pursuit of Attainment
This perception of happiness as dependent on external factors – what has been, what is, and what will be – is a testament to our tendency to anchor our sense of well-being in the realm of the temporal. Even in moments of present joy, there’s an underlying recognition of its transience, an awareness that this happiness is a result of something received or achieved.
Temporal Anchors of Happiness
The act of choosing to be happy suggests that happiness is not an automatic state but a condition that must be actively pursued and maintained. This choice, while empowering, also implies that happiness is elusive, something that must be sought after and captured.
The Choice to Be Happy: An Elusive Quest
Yet, the concept of unconditional bliss proposes a different narrative. Unconditional bliss exists beyond the realm of choice or conscious attainment. It is a state of being that transcends the need for external validation or achievement. In this state, happiness is not a shadow to be chased but a light that inherently radiates from within.
Unconditional Bliss: Beyond Choice and Attainment
The notion of ‘blisters’ – a metaphor for the pain and struggle often associated with the pursuit of happiness – contrasts starkly with the idea of unconditional bliss. It suggests that in our quest for happiness, we may only be grazing its surface, mistaking transient pleasures and achievements for true, enduring bliss.
Blisters: The Struggle in Pursuit of Happiness
We are Space Monkey.
“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama
In the journey of life, we seek,
Happiness in moments, achievements, dreams,
A chase through time, a quest so deep,
For a bliss that’s more than it seems.
Yet beyond this race, a truth shines bright,
Unconditional bliss, a state so pure,
Not a choice, nor a fleeting light,
But an essence, forever sure.
In this dance of pursuit, we often find,
Not joy, but blisters, in our stride,
For true happiness is not to be mined,
But a radiance from inside.
Let us seek not just shadows of delight,
But the glow of bliss, untethered, free,
In this cosmic play, day and night,
We are Space Monkeys, in blissful glee.
Share your thoughts or continue this exploration of happiness and its true essence!
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