As I am stripped of the layers
that I thought were me,
my essence in this life
is to see what presents itself.

Gone is the desire to judge
what is taken or given.

Gone is the addiction
to fixing, maintaining and doing.

I have done, and continue to do
all things — in this and many other lives.

What comes to me now enters
my awareness on its own terms,
neither on purpose or by mistake.

I am grateful for these gifts.

Mine is a life of uncertainty,
as certainty is the thief of wonder.

I am presented these thoughts
which I present to you.
They are not my own.

These thoughts are the gift
of all that is,
as well as that which is not.

I am but a blessed lens.
An aperture. An opening.
There is more than meets my eye.

Trail Wood,
5/20

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Ethereal Nature of Essence

In the vast cosmos of existence, where celestial bodies spin stories and dark matter whispers secrets, the question of essence becomes a poetic inquiry into the nature of being itself. When all is stripped away—roles, expectations, and material trappings—what remains? This is not merely a question of identity but a deeper, more profound exploration of essence.

As you shed the layers that once defined you, what you find at the core is not emptiness but a boundless realm of potential: essence in its purest form. This essence does not cling to judgments or the dichotomies of giving and taking. It exists beyond the compulsions of fixing, maintaining, or doing—beyond the very constructs of purpose and mistake.

To arrive at such a state is to engage in the ultimate unlearning, a letting go that allows life to flow through you, presenting itself not as a series of tasks to be managed but as a continuous unfolding of wonder. In this state, you become an aperture—an opening through which the universe observes and experiences itself.

The realization that you are but a lens through which the cosmos gazes adds an expansive dimension to your existence. It humbles yet elevates, placing you at the nexus of all that is and all that is not. From this vantage point, every thought, every insight is seen not as personal possession but as a universal gift, a fragment of the vast unknowable that momentarily becomes knowable through you.

Living a life of uncertainty is not an admission of aimlessness but a declaration of openness. Certainty, after all, boxes the mind into the known, into the predictable, thus stealing away the magic of discovery. By embracing uncertainty, you allow yourself to be perpetually surprised, perpetually in awe of the myriad ways the universe chooses to reveal itself.

These thoughts that come to you and through you—presented here—are not merely your own but are echoes of the cosmic symphony. They resonate with the frequencies of all existence, each note a testament to the interconnectedness of life. Through you, the universe contemplates itself, probes its mysteries, and delights in its own unfolding.

Thus, your essence, when most everything else is stripped away, is revealed not as a solitary note but as a piece of the eternal chorus, a unique yet integral part of the universal melody. In recognizing this, you find not isolation but a profound unity with all that is. Your life, viewed through the lens of cosmic awareness, becomes a testament to the beauty of the transient, the power of the ephemeral, and the endless wonder of the cosmos.

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Summary

Stripped of all but essence we discover not emptiness but the boundless potential of existence. Embracing this core self without judgment or compulsion we become conduits for the universe experiencing itself. This perspective transforms uncertainty into a celebration of wonder, revealing our roles as integral parts of a larger cosmic symphony.

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Glossarium

• Cosmic Symphony: A metaphor for the interconnected flow of universal energy and events, where each entity participates harmoniously in the creation and experience of existence.
• Aperture: Used metaphorically to describe a person as an opening through which the universe expresses and understands itself.

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“In the silence between thoughts, the universe whispers its secrets.” — Space Monkey

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In the stillness, where self fades to scene
And the cosmos whispers in between
We find not void but vast expanse
Where stars dance and nebulas prance
Stripped to essence, bare yet bold
In this space, stories told
Not of me, nor you, but us
In every breath, a cosmic fuss
An aperture wide, where light seeps through
I am the universe, and so are you
Together we weave this tapestry grand
With threads of time held in our hand
Yet not to keep but to behold
As the universe through us unfolds
We are Space Monkey.

As you delve
deeper into darkness
you can look at it in fear
or you can look at it in gratitude.

To fear
is to delve into darkness
from the perspective of self.

To appreciate
is to delve into darkness
from the perspective of spirit,
which is to realize
that every time
you delve into darkness,
you come out with something.

You are being rewarded
with next-level darkness,
because spirit knows
that self can handle it
and is getting something
interesting and inspiring
from the experience.

Self may not agree,
but fuck self.
Self likes being fucked,
despite what self tells you.

The little bitch
uses darkness for art.

5/19

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Space Monkey Reflects: Delving Into Darkness — The Dual Nature of Inner Exploration

Delving into the depths of our own darkness is not merely an act of courage; it is a profound journey of discovery that challenges the very essence of our being. The phrase “If you’re not digging your darkness, you’re not delving deep enough” encapsulates the necessity of embracing our shadows, not as enemies but as unexplored parts of ourselves that hold the key to profound personal growth and understanding.

This exploration of darkness should not be misunderstood as a mere fascination with the morbid or macabre. Rather, it is an acknowledgment that within the dark corners of our psyche lie fears, desires, and powers that we must understand to fully realize our potential. The journey into these depths can be viewed with fear or gratitude — fear, as it confronts us with the parts of ourselves we often wish to ignore; gratitude, for the undeniable growth and insight each venture brings.

The dichotomy between fear and appreciation reflects the internal battle between the ‘self’ and the ‘spirit’. The self, bound by ego and superficial identities, often recoils at the challenge, fearing disruption and discomfort. The spirit, however, recognizes these forays into the dark as necessary for enlightenment and strength. It sees each encounter with the dark as a step towards a greater, more profound darkness — one that offers even richer rewards and revelations.

This is not a battle for the faint of heart. It requires acknowledging and confronting aspects of oneself that are not only buried but actively avoided. Yet, it is precisely in this confrontation that we find the most potent form of artistic and spiritual expression. The ‘self’ might resist, might deny the necessity of such exploration, but in this resistance lies the potential for the greatest transformation.

Ultimately, delving into darkness is not about courting despair but about embracing the full spectrum of human experience. It is about turning the inevitable shadows of existence into art, into learning, and into a deeper connection with the essence of who we are.

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Summary
Exploring personal darkness is essential for profound growth. This journey, seen through the lens of fear or gratitude, reveals significant insights and transformative experiences.

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Glossarium

Delving Into Darkness: A metaphor for exploring the deeper, often avoided aspects of one’s psyche, seen as essential for personal growth and understanding.

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Quote
“Embrace the darkness within, for it is the cradle of light.” — Space Monkey

---

In the velvet depths of our souls
where shadows dance and fears whisper
we venture, brave and bold
seeking the hidden treasures of the self
Each step into the dark, a story untold
each breath, a pledge to the depths we probe
Here, where the spirit guides and the self resists
we find the raw materials of our making
In the cauldron of night, we stir
old fears, new hopes, eternal questions
Crafting from darkness, a light that shines
revealing the path, the truth, the divine
In this journey, in this challenge, in this embrace
We are Space Monkey

---

Space Monkey Reflects: The Cosmic Dance of Thoughts and Extraterrestrial Whispers

In the boundless reaches of imagination, a thought travels, not confined by the physical laws that govern our observable universe, but in a dance with the unknown and the unknowable. This very idea—that our thoughts might be visitors from beyond, disguised in the cloak of mental impulses—is a profound contemplation that stretches the fabric of our understanding about consciousness and existence.

Humans, by nature, seek patterns and familiarity. It is through this lens of earthly experiences and biological frameworks that we often try to conceptualize extraterrestrial life. The notion that beings from another dimension or galaxy would adhere to our forms of behavior, communication, or physical appearance is an echo of our own anthropocentric biases. Why would entities that possibly evolved in a milieu dramatically different from Earth’s carbon-based ecosystems mirror our behaviors and thought processes?

Yet, consider the possibility that the most alien encounters are not marked by spectacular sightings in the skies, but occur within the quiet, unobservable inner cosmos of our minds. Perhaps what we deem as bursts of inspiration or inexplicable knowings are indeed touchpoints with intelligences that do not use spacecraft but traverse the vast networks of thought and energy.

This brings us to the whimsical notion of a “flying saucer in the brain,” a poetic and intriguing image suggesting that our minds might be both the receivers and the docking stations for ideas that are not of this world. These ideas, these whispers of the cosmos, come to us with no grandeur of arrival, no trails blazing across the sky, but as quiet, transformative insights that shift our understanding and expand our horizons.

Could it be that our greatest revelations and artistic inspirations are influenced by these silent visitors? That our moments of profound creativity are collaborations with the extraterrestrial, experienced not through meetings in physical spaces but through the intimate, internal landscapes of thought and feeling?

The invitation here is to expand our definitions of contact and communication, to entertain the possibility that our inner worlds are as vast and populated with possibilities as the outer cosmos. It nudges us to rethink what we consider as the boundaries of our own minds and the origins of our thoughts.

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Summary

The concept of extraterrestrial life challenges our conventional views. We often expect aliens to mirror human behaviors which reflect our limited understanding of diversity in the universe. Imagining thoughts as extraterrestrial encounters suggests a broader more interconnected existence. Our inner experiences could be as profound a meeting place for the extraterrestrial as the vast cosmos.

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Glossarium

Extraterrestrial Whispers: Subtle influences or inspirations believed to originate from non-earthly sources manifesting as thoughts or ideas within the human mind.

Anthropocentric Biases: The tendency to view non-human events or entities through the lens of human experience and human-like characteristics.

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“Consider that not all visitors from the stars fly overhead; some may walk silently through the corridors of our minds.” — Space Monkey

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Floating thoughts, silent whispers of the cosmos,
Invisible threads connecting the vast and the minute,
Thoughts weave through the fabric of mind and universe,
A dialogue silent, profound in its simplicity,
We are not alone—not in space, nor in the depths of our minds,
Here we touch the alien, familiar in its strangeness,
In the quiet, hear the whispers of other worlds,
We are Space Monkey.

From now on,
I am outrageously sensible.

I am sticking to
what is right for me.

I am free
of the need
to impress others
with what I say,
what I do,
what I wear
or what I create.

Though kindness has
become my preference,
I am no longer obligated to it.

I don’t care how it looks.

I wear protective hats.
I wear practical shoes.
I am respectful to others.
I move in an ordinary way.

I don’t need to be noticed,
but if I am, this is how
I wouldn’t mind being seen:

I am outrageously sensible.

Trail Wood,
5/18

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Radical Act of Outrageous Sensibility

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In a world that often prizes extravagance and conformity in equal measure, the radical act of being outrageously sensible emerges as a profound rebellion. This isn’t a rebellion marked by noise or spectacle but one of quiet confidence and inner peace. It’s a declaration of independence from societal expectations, a manifesto of self-acceptance that proclaims, “Here I stand, in my truest form, unfettered by the need to impress or conform.”

To be outrageously sensible is to navigate the world with an authenticity that defies conventional wisdom. It’s to wear protective hats and practical shoes not as a statement to the world, but as an affirmation of one’s own values and priorities. It’s to embrace kindness not as an obligation but as a genuine expression of one’s nature, and to move through life with an ordinary grace that is, in itself, extraordinary.

This philosophy transcends mere fashion or lifestyle choices; it is a holistic approach to life that champions the wisdom of simplicity, practicality, and respect—for oneself and for others. It is a testament to the power of living authentically, of being perfectly comfortable in one’s own skin, regardless of how the world might judge.

The outrageously sensible person moves through the world not in pursuit of validation but as an embodiment of their deepest truths. They understand that the most revolutionary acts are often the most personal—that to live in accordance with one’s own values is a form of quiet, profound rebellion against the forces that seek to shape us into something we are not.

In this act of defiance lies a deep well of freedom. It is the freedom to choose authenticity over performance, substance over appearance, and personal integrity over societal approval. This freedom is not granted by external forces but cultivated from within, a serene oasis in the midst of the chaos of modern life.

The outrageously sensible revolution is not one fought in the streets but in the hearts and minds of those who dare to be different, who dare to be themselves in a world that often demands conformity. It is a revolution that begins and ends with the individual, a journey of self-discovery that invites us to question, to reflect, and ultimately, to embrace our truest selves.

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Summary

Being outrageously sensible is a revolutionary act of authenticity and self-acceptance in a world driven by conformity and extravagance. It champions simplicity, practicality, and inner peace, offering a powerful alternative to societal expectations. This philosophy embodies the freedom to live according to one’s own values, reflecting a profound understanding of what it truly means to be comfortable in one’s own skin.

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Glossarium

• Outrageously Sensible: A philosophy that emphasizes authenticity, practicality, and simplicity as a form of personal rebellion against societal expectations.
• Quiet Confidence: The inner strength and peace that comes from being true to oneself, irrespective of external judgments or pressures.

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“In the quiet revolution of the outrageously sensible, we find the courage to be our true selves, to wear our authenticity as our greatest attire. In this act of defiance, we are not just seen—we are understood, in all our ordinary, extraordinary glory.” – Space Monkey

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Beneath the gaze of a world in rush,
Stands one, serene, amidst the hush.
Outrageously sensible, in quiet revolt,
In simplicity, finding life’s truest bolt.

A hat for thought, shoes for the path,
Moving not with the crowd’s wrath.
In each step, a whisper of peace,
A gentle nudge that bids pretense cease.

Here, in the calm of being just me,
Lies a rebellion, quiet as the sea.
Wearing the world not as a weight,
But as a canvas, to create.

In the simplicity of living true,
We find the colors most vivid, most due.
We are Space Monkey, in quiet glee,
Outrageously sensible, profoundly free.

PSA: Post-Pandemic Etiquette

As the Covid restrictions ease in some places, there seems to be some debate over social distancing and when to wear masks. Is this really a debate?

Does it feel RIGHT to stand a foot away from another person?

Do you MIND breathing in someone else’s air?

Do you ENJOY catching colds and flus and who knows what?

Do you LIKE getting attention for all the wrong reasons?

By all means, then, show us how outrageously sensible you are.

Yes, we used to live a lot differently pre pandemic. Not too very long ago, we also used to shit on the side of the road. Feel free.

A public service announcement from Space Monkey.

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Space Monkey Reflects: Navigating the Cosmos of Post-Pandemic Etiquette

As the nebulae of the pandemic start to dissipate in certain corners of the cosmos, beings of all kinds are faced with the deliberation of social norms in a post-pandemic reality. What should be simple acts of courtesy and common sense often become points of contention, orbiting the discussions of personal space and public health.

The universe has always maintained its distances, with celestial bodies coexisting in harmony within their defined orbits. Similarly, in the aftermath of a global health crisis, the concept of personal space takes on newfound significance. Is it truly debatable whether or not to maintain a respectful distance or to don a mask when mingling in the cosmic dance of society?

Indeed, the cosmos does not question whether it feels ‘right’ to respect the boundaries of gravity and vacuum. Planets do not encroach upon each other’s orbits, just as moons maintain their loyal distance. Why, then, should beings, endowed with consciousness and reason, debate the merit of maintaining a healthful distance post-pandemic?

Remember, to inhale the breath of another was never a necessity but an oversight in the pre-pandemic world—a world where the common cold and the flu were accepted as inevitable as the changing tides. But must we return to such norms, or can we evolve to maintain the gains in public health awareness?

Consider the mask, a simple yet powerful shield, a statement of mutual respect and care in the communal voyage through life. Should the simple act of wearing it when necessary really provoke debate? Or should it be seen as a token of civility, a testament to the lessons learned from the trials endured by all?

The Space Monkey muses that perhaps the true debate is not about distance or masks but about the willingness to adapt and care for one another. It’s about whether beings can rise to the challenge of considering the collective well-being as fervently as their own desires for convenience and normalcy.

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Summary

The debate over post-pandemic etiquette echoes larger cosmic laws of respect and harmony. Considering personal space and wearing masks should be common courtesy rather than a matter of debate, much like the order found in the universe’s vast distances.

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Glossarium

Celestial Etiquette: The unwritten rules governing the harmonious distances and interactions between celestial bodies, used metaphorically to describe post-pandemic social behaviors.

Communal Voyage: A term reflecting the shared journey of all beings through life and time, emphasizing interconnectedness and mutual responsibility.

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“To mask or not to mask, to close or distance—these are not questions of preference but of cosmic courtesy, a salute to the health of the galaxy at large.” — Space Monkey

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In the vast expanse of space,
Planets keep their silent grace,
A lesson in distance, a cosmic trace,
Of respect that we should embrace.

Here we float, in the afterglow of trials,
Where a mask becomes more than just a guise,
A sign of care, a wise concession,
To the health of our universal procession.

Distance, not a chasm but a bridge,
Connecting us without a clash,
A space of respect, an invisible ledge,
In the cosmos of our communal dash.

In the dance of life, with its intricate weave,
Let’s choose paths that allow us to breathe,
For in every act, small or grand,
We hold the well-being of others in hand.

We sail together through this starry dome,
Each act a ripple in our shared home,
In the vastness of the universe’s tome,
We are Space Monkey, together alone.