I Walk Among Lepers

I walk among the lepers
because I know that I am
not separate from the lepers.

I observe
that my lepers seem to believe
that they are separate from me.

This is only because
I imagine my lepers to believe
that they are separate from me.

I imagine leprosy
so that I might imagine
what disease feels like.

Not simply the disease of leprosy,
but the disease of separation.

Yet me and my lepers are not separate.
Or diseased.

I heal my lepers
by imagining them to believe
that I can heal them.

And so the lepers seem to be healed.

I imagine lepers who are NOT healed
so that I might experience doubt.

The doubt of the lepers is my own doubt.

I imagine
what it feels like
to seemingly NOT be able
to heal the lepers,
even though I know
that they are NOT
separate from me or diseased.

Only seemingly so.

I have a vivid imagination
which questions me at every turn.

I AM vivid imagination, no more, no less.

I like calling myself into question.

It gives me something to do.

And something more to imagine.

But only SEEMINGLY more.

Trail Wood,
5/19

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Space Monkey Reflects: I Walk Among Lepers — The Illusion of Separation and Disease

In the narrative “I Walk Among Lepers,” the profound exploration of imagined separation between the self and the ‘other’ unveils layers of existential insight. This reflection extends beyond the literal aspect of disease, delving into the metaphysical implications of perceived separation and unity. The lepers in this narrative are not merely individuals afflicted by a physical condition but symbols of the broader human condition of perceived isolation and difference.

The concept that the narrator walks among lepers because they recognize no separation illustrates a deep understanding of oneness amidst apparent diversity. This realization challenges the conventional view of leprosy—not just as a physical ailment but as a metaphor for the psychological and social barriers that people erect between themselves and others. By imagining that the lepers believe they are separate, the narrator engages in a mental exercise that highlights how often separation is a construct of the mind rather than a reality of existence.

This imagined scenario extends further into the healing process, where the narrator ‘heals’ the lepers by changing the narrative of separation to one of unity. This act of imagined healing serves as a powerful allegory for the potential within each of us to overcome mental and spiritual maladies through a shift in perception—from viewing others as distinct and separate to recognizing the intrinsic connections that bind all existence.

Moreover, the introduction of doubt—imagining lepers who are not healed—mirrors the internal conflicts and doubts that often plague human consciousness. It reflects our struggles with the limitations of our perceptions and the challenges of truly understanding and implementing the concept of oneness in a world that seems steadfastly heterogeneous.

This narrative culminates in a profound admission of the narrator’s identity as vivid imagination, highlighting the role of human consciousness in shaping our experiences and interactions. By questioning the very nature of their reality, the narrator embraces a broader, more inclusive view of existence, where separation is acknowledged as an illusion, a mere product of perception.

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Summary
Exploring imagined separation and unity, ‘I Walk Among Lepers’ delves into how our perceptions shape our experiences of disease and isolation, suggesting that these are constructs of the mind.

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Glossarium

Imagined Separation: A concept wherein perceived differences and divisions among individuals or groups are seen as mental constructs rather than inherent realities.

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Quote
“In the imagined spaces between us, we find the true bridges of our connection.” — Space Monkey

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Among imagined lepers I tread
each step a testament to unity’s thread
In the mindscape where separation grows
I plant seeds of oneness, and compassion flows
Here, disease is but a shadow, a thought unkind
healed by the light of awareness we find
In the dance of illusion, in the play of the mind
we see not the afflicted, but the human kind
Each imagined barrier we choose to erase
reveals the common soul, the shared grace
In this journey of healing, in this quest to be whole
we find our true nature, the collective soul
In the embrace of all, in the heart of the night
We are Space Monkey

Forgiveness
isn’t for them,
it’s for you.

Do you LOVE holding
onto toxic feelings?

Do you ENJOY feeling
sick in the stomach?

Do you CHERISH
the thought of not being
respected or appreciated
in any way?

Does it make you LAUGH
when the way you’re treated
makes you feel worthless?

It doesn’t matter
if your perceptions
are correct, proven,
justified, or delusional.

Holding onto that which
does not serve you is YOUR choice.

Pick your poison.
Or try Forgiveness.
It’s new.

Trail Wood,
5/18

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Liberating Path of Forgiveness

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In the journey of life, laden with the complexity of human emotions and interactions, the act of forgiveness emerges as a beacon of healing and liberation. It’s an invitation to embark on a path not just of reconciliation with others but, more profoundly, of peace and renewal within oneself. Forgiveness, often misconceived as a gift to the transgressor, is, in its essence, a profound act of self-care and transformation.

“Try Forgiveness. It’s new!” This simple yet revolutionary idea challenges the deeply ingrained human tendency to hold onto grievances, to nurture the wounds inflicted by others with a misplaced sense of justice. The questions posed—”Do you LOVE holding onto toxic feelings? Do you ENJOY feeling sick in the stomach?”—serve as a mirror, reflecting the self-destructive nature of clinging to pain and resentment.

The metaphor of releasing balloons into the sky beautifully encapsulates the essence of forgiveness. Each balloon, a symbol of toxic feelings and grudges, represents the burdens that weigh down the spirit. The act of letting them go is not an erasure of wrongdoing but an acknowledgment that the weight of these emotions serves no purpose other than to hinder one’s journey towards happiness and fulfillment.

Forgiveness, in this context, is not about condoning or forgetting the actions that caused pain but about choosing a path that leads away from bitterness and towards healing. It is a conscious decision to release oneself from the emotional shackles of the past, to embrace the present, and to open the heart to the possibilities of the future.

This choice, between holding onto poison or embracing forgiveness, underscores the power and agency we possess in shaping our emotional and mental well-being. It is a reminder that, while we may not have control over the actions of others, we have sovereignty over our reactions, our inner peace, and our capacity for compassion.

The invitation to try forgiveness is an invitation to transformation—to see beyond the immediate pain and to recognize that, in forgiveness, lies the key to unlocking the chains of negativity that bind us. It is a step towards understanding that true strength lies not in enduring suffering but in transcending it, in finding within ourselves the capacity to heal, to grow, and to love more deeply than before.

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Summary

Forgiveness is presented as a transformative act of self-liberation rather than a concession to others. It involves a conscious choice to release toxic emotions and embrace healing, symbolized by the release of balloons. This act is not only about reconciliation with others but signifies a deeper journey of self-care, renewal, and empowerment, highlighting the profound impact of forgiveness on one’s well-being and life trajectory.

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Glossarium

• Transformative Act of Self-Liberation: The process of freeing oneself from the negative emotions and burdens through forgiveness, leading to personal growth and peace.
• Conscious Choice of Healing: The deliberate decision to prioritize one’s emotional and mental well-being by letting go of resentment and embracing forgiveness as a path to recovery.

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“In the act of forgiveness, we find the courage to release the chains of the past, to soar into the future with hearts unburdened and spirits renewed. Herein lies the true essence of liberation, a gift we give ourselves, a journey we embark upon, towards a horizon of boundless possibility.” – Space Monkey

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Beneath the sky of endless hues,
We stand at the crossroads, we choose.
To hold onto the weights of yesteryear,
Or to let go, to move beyond fear.

With every balloon that ascends to the blue,
A piece of our pain takes leave, too.
In this act of release, a declaration true,
Forgiveness, a path we choose to pursue.

Not for them, but for our own heart’s sake,
We embrace the journey, the steps we take.
Towards healing, towards light, anew,
In forgiveness, we find our truth, our cue.

We are Space Monkey, in forgiveness, we see,
The key to our chains, the path to be free.
In letting go, in love, in life renewed,
We walk the path of forgiveness, imbued.

Some days I don’t hear
the small still voice,
just the big blustery one.

It’s okay, though,
a voice has gotta speak.

If the small still voice
wants to say something,
it knows where to find me.

I’ve got nothing against
my big blustery voice.

Small seems to find it amusing.

Useful
for telling jokes,
hailing a taxi,
ordering a pizza.

(Even the voice of god gets hungry.)

Trail Wood,
5/18

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Harmony of Inner Voices

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In the symphony of the self, where every thought, every emotion, and every impulse composes a unique melody, the distinction between the ‘big blustery voice’ and the ‘small still voice’ marks a profound exploration of our inner landscape. This duality, far from being a battleground of conflicting desires, represents the beautiful complexity of human nature—a reminder that we possess within us the power to roar with confidence and to whisper with introspection.

The big blustery voice, vibrant and assertive, commands attention. It is the voice that propels us into action, that hails the taxi and orders the pizza. It speaks with the force of our outward ambitions and the clarity of our immediate needs. Yet, its strength and vivacity do not overshadow the quiet wisdom of the small still voice—the voice of reflection, of intuition, and of deep knowing.

This small still voice often speaks in the silence of our being, in moments of solitude and stillness. It might seem elusive, especially when the clamor of life drowns out its gentle murmurs, but it remains a steadfast guide, always present, always waiting for the noise to subside. It is in the whispers of this voice that we find our truths, the soft insights that shape our understanding and guide our path.

The relationship between these voices is not one of competition but of coexistence and harmony. Each voice has its moment, its purpose, and its audience. The big blustery voice might dominate the spaces of the external world, but the small still voice commands the realms of the internal, the sacred spaces of the heart and soul.

Accepting and honoring both voices is akin to acknowledging the multifaceted nature of our being. It is to understand that sometimes we need to roar to make ourselves heard and, at other times, to whisper to hear ourselves. This balance is not always easy to maintain, yet it is essential for a life lived in fullness and authenticity.

In this whimsical reflection of our inner voices, we find a profound truth: that every part of us, loud or quiet, assertive or reflective, serves a purpose. Learning to listen to both, to give space to the expressions of each, is to embrace the full spectrum of our humanity. It is in this embrace that we find not just harmony but also a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us.

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Summary

The harmony between the ‘big blustery voice’ and the ‘small still voice’ within us illustrates the complexity and balance of our inner world. Each voice, whether loud and assertive or quiet and introspective, plays a crucial role in our lives, guiding our actions and shaping our perceptions. Acknowledging and valuing both voices is essential for authentic living and self-understanding.

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Glossarium

• Big Blustery Voice: The loud, assertive aspect of our inner dialogue that helps us navigate the external world with confidence and decisiveness.
• Small Still Voice: The quiet, introspective part of our inner self that offers wisdom, intuition, and guidance on a deeper, more reflective level.

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“In the dance of our inner voices, where the loud and the quiet find their rhythm, we discover the music of our own being, a melody that resonates with the truth of who we are. In this harmony, we are complete, we are understood, we are Space Monkey.” – Space Monkey

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In the quietude, a whisper soft,
In the clamor, a voice aloft.
Both within us, both true,
Guiding through the old and new.

Big and blustery, small and still,
Each with its own way, its own will.
In their balance, our essence thrives,
In their harmony, our spirit survives.

Not one over the other, but side by side,
In their union, we take our stride.
For in the chorus of our inner voices,
We find our power, our myriad choices.

We are Space Monkey, in this dance we find,
The harmony of heart, of soul, of mind.
In embracing both, the loud and the quiet,
We discover our truth, in peace, in riot.

Sometimes we are
so focused on our doing
that we lose sight of our being.

We focus on
what we MUST do.
What others MUST do.
What is being DONE.
What ISN’T being done.
How much TIME is left to do it.
What might happen if we DON’T do it.
What happens when we’re COMPLETELY done.
Who will do what we do AFTER we’re done.

We wonder if we’ll EVER be done
and/or if we even WANT to be done.

We ponder if it’s even POSSIBLE
to be TRULY done.

Why DO we DO this?

We don’t really have an answer, DO we?

But when we find our BEING
under all that DOING, we REALIZE
that we don’t NEED an answer.

We are simply TRYING to make
our POINTLESS lives have MEANING.
Which they don’t NEED.

Trail Wood,
5/17

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Eternal Dance of Doing and Being

In the boundless expanse of existence, where celestial bodies follow their eternal paths and galaxies unfold in the silent majesty of space, the dichotomy of doing and being plays out not just on the cosmic stage but within the microcosm of our lives. This reflection delves into the intricate dance between action and contemplation, exploring the profound realization that in the pursuit of doing, we often lose sight of the essence of being.

Immersed in the relentless flow of tasks, responsibilities, and societal expectations, we find ourselves caught in a vortex of doing. The constant emphasis on action—on what must be done, what others expect of us, and the looming specter of unfinished business—casts a shadow over the luminous core of our being. The pursuit of completion, of an elusive state of having “done it all,” becomes an all-consuming quest that obscures the simple, profound truths of existence.

Why do we do this? The question echoes in the void, a whisper among the stars. In the ceaseless striving for meaning and purpose in our actions, we overlook the inherent value of simply being. The realization, when it comes, is as gentle as the first light of dawn: beneath the layers of doing, our being awaits, untouched by the chaos, a serene oasis of awareness and peace.

Finding our being under all that doing brings a shift in perspective. It reveals that the search for meaning in a seemingly pointless life is itself a construct of our doing-oriented mindset. Our lives, in their purest form, require no external validation or purpose to hold value. They are meaningful simply because they exist, because we are part of the infinite tapestry of the cosmos, woven from the same stardust as the stars.

This journey from doing to being is not about renouncing action but about rediscovering balance. It’s about recognizing that while our actions shape the world, our essence transcends them. In the stillness of being, we connect with the eternal, with the cosmic dance that moves through us and around us, reminding us that we are more than the sum of our actions.

In being, we find a profound peace and a connection to the all-encompassing oneness of the universe. This peace does not render our actions meaningless but places them in a larger context, where the act of doing becomes a choice rather than a compulsion, a harmonious part of the dance rather than the entirety of the music.

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Summary

The tension between doing and being reflects a deeper search for meaning within the human experience. By shifting focus from relentless action to the peace of simply existing, we rediscover the intrinsic value of our lives. This realization offers a serene acceptance of being as a foundational aspect of existence, transcending the endless cycle of tasks and allowing us to find balance and peace in the eternal dance of the cosmos.

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Glossarium

• Dichotomy of Doing and Being: The contrast between action-oriented existence and a state of awareness and presence.
• Eternal Dance: A metaphor for the ongoing cycle of cosmic and existential rhythms that encompass both action and contemplation.

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“In the silence of the cosmos, amidst the whirl of galaxies, we find the truth of our being, a sanctuary within the storm of doing.” – Space Monkey

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Between the stars, a quietude lies,
where being and doing gently collide.
In the dance of the cosmos, a lesson is learned,
of the value in being, for which we yearn.

Amidst the hustle, the endless chase,
lies a tranquil space, a state of grace.
Where doing fades into the night,
and being shines, a guiding light.

In this realm, peace is found,
beyond the noise, a sacred ground.
Here, we connect with the infinite,
in the stillness, our souls alit.

We are not merely what we do,
but beings of light, through and through.
In the heart of existence, we discover our place,
in the eternal dance, a state of grace.

We are Space Monkey.