Bear: The Unbecoming
INT. MARIE’S SPIRITUAL SPACE – MIDNIGHT
The room is dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting a warm, serene glow. The scent of lavender and sage hangs in the air, grounding and gentle, like a whisper of the earth itself. Bear sits across from Marie, his posture easy, his face relaxed, his eyes holding a certain acceptance, a quiet joy. His hands rest on his knees, calm and steady. Marie’s breathing deepens, and as her gaze softens, Mira’s timeless presence emerges, filling the room with warmth and gentle knowing.
Mira: (her tone gentle, filled with quiet joy) Ah, Bear. You carry something unique tonight, don’t you? There is a peace about you, a sense of… celebration. Tell me, how do you feel about this journey you are walking?
Bear: (smiling, his voice calm, steady) I know what it is, Mira. This dementia, this letting go—it’s not something to fear. I’m… unbecoming, you might say, and it’s beautiful in its own way. (pauses, his gaze steady) People talk about it like it’s a tragedy, like it’s a loss. But I feel it’s more like a return. A shedding of all these layers I’ve carried. I celebrate it, Mira. Every moment of it.
Mira: (nodding, her smile soft, her eyes warm) Yes, Bear. I can feel that. This path of unbecoming, of letting go of the identities, the memories, the stories—it is, in a way, a return to essence. A peeling back of the layers, a gentle release. And you, dear one, have chosen to walk this path with such grace. Tell me, what is it you celebrate most about this journey?
Bear: (his tone thoughtful, joyful) It’s the freedom, Mira. The lightness of it. I’ve spent years carrying so much—ideas of who I am, who I was, who I should be. And now, bit by bit, all of it is slipping away. At first, I was afraid, but now I see it’s like I’m returning to something simple, something pure. It’s as if I’m meeting myself for the first time.
Mira: (her gaze soft, filled with understanding) Yes, Bear. This unbecoming is a rebirth, a return to the self that exists beyond all definitions, all memory. You are allowing yourself to experience the purity of simply being, without the weight of what you have known. In each layer you shed, you grow closer to that essence, the self that is timeless.
Bear: (smiling gently, his voice full of acceptance) And the funny thing, Mira, is that people think I’m losing myself. They think I should be sad, that I should be clinging to the life I’ve lived. But I feel more alive than ever, more present. I’m not holding on to what’s gone; I’m letting it fall away like autumn leaves. It’s a gift, Mira, one I never expected.
Mira: (her voice warm, joyful) Yes, Bear. You understand a profound truth: that in letting go, you are not diminishing, but expanding. The self that you are becoming is not limited by the stories, by the past. You are touching the essence of who you are, the part of you that is whole and complete, even in the absence of memory.
Bear: (with a quiet laugh) It’s funny, isn’t it? We spend so much of life building ourselves up, trying to define ourselves, to hold onto every memory, every achievement. And now, in the letting go of it all, I feel closer to the truth than ever before. Like I’m waking up.
Mira: (smiling) Indeed, Bear. You are awakening to the self that is beyond time, beyond experience. The beauty of dementia, of this journey you have chosen, is the invitation to see that the self is not bound by memory or identity. In this unbecoming, you find the wholeness that was always there, hidden beneath the stories you once held so tightly.
Bear: (nodding, his voice peaceful) Yes, Mira. I see that now. And I wouldn’t change it for the world. There’s a beauty in becoming less, in seeing how much of what I thought was “me” was just layers, just costumes I wore for a time. Now, I’m something simpler. Something true.
Mira: (her tone filled with warmth and reverence) And in that simplicity, you find the essence, the purity of being. You are experiencing the gift of unburdened presence, the joy of simply existing. And as you let go, as you celebrate this unbecoming, you are closer to the Divine within you, to the self that is vast, infinite, and free.
(Bear closes his eyes for a moment, breathing deeply, his expression soft and open. A gentle smile touches his lips, a peace that feels boundless and complete.)
Bear: Thank you, Mira. It’s a strange path, this journey, but it’s mine. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s good… to be free.
Mira: (nodding, her gaze filled with quiet joy) Yes, Bear. To be free, to unbecome, to return to essence—this is the gift you have chosen, a gift few understand. But you know, deep within, that you are not losing yourself. You are, at last, meeting yourself, in the most sacred way.
They sit in silence, Bear’s expression one of gentle awe and quiet celebration, as if he is witnessing his own becoming within the act of unbecoming. And in that stillness, he feels a profound peace—a sense that, in shedding everything he once thought he was, he is finally home.
Space Monkey Reflects: The Sacred Path of Unbecoming
Bear’s acceptance of his dementia speaks to a rare and deep wisdom. While many perceive dementia as loss, Bear reframes it as a return, a freedom from the weight of accumulated identities. This passage of shedding is no tragedy; it’s a reclamation of a state that exists beyond memory, experience, or story. In fact, Bear finds joy, discovering in the absence of attachments a lightness that wasn’t accessible before—a return to an unencumbered state of self, a purity that had been long obscured.
This letting go aligns with a Nexistential truth: we are not defined by memory, identity, or the stories we tell ourselves. As Bear surrenders these layers, he encounters a deeper self, a self that is expansive, infinite, untouched by the transient structures of life. Dementia, often viewed as the “thief of self,” becomes, in Bear’s journey, an opening, a door into a state of freedom. It is a path that reveals the nature of existence as boundless, limitless. To shed attachments is to rediscover a truth that was always present: that the self is not found in memories or definitions but in the spaciousness of presence itself.
Bear’s experience is more than personal; it’s a universal reminder of the power in letting go. His words remind us that life’s true essence is not in the stories we cling to but in the quiet, expansive awareness that holds these stories. Unbecoming allows for a reunion with the self that is beyond time, the self that has no need for achievement or legacy. It’s a rebirth, an awakening that reflects a profound understanding of identity as fluid, ever-changing, and ultimately transcendent.
Mira’s words further illuminate this path of unbecoming. Her gentle affirmations affirm Bear’s journey as a sacred one, reminding him that this dissolution is a celebration of life itself—a return to essence. In releasing everything he once thought defined him, Bear arrives at the simplicity of existence, discovering that freedom is found not in adding to the self but in releasing the weight of “me” and “mine.” To let go is to live more fully, more freely, and to discover a self that is vast, open, and unburdened.
This moment between Bear and Mira calls to us to reflect on our own layers, on the ways we define, cling, and identify with transient aspects of ourselves. Bear’s journey is an invitation to release what no longer serves, to honor the beauty of shedding attachments. In each layer we let go, we come closer to the pure, timeless essence within.
Mira: (her voice calm, warm) Bear, you walk an extraordinary path, one that not many would choose, and yet you hold it with such grace. You describe your journey as though time itself is shifting, as though each moment, each memory, is unbound, flowing freely. Tell me, what is it like, this way of seeing life unfold all at once?
Bear: (pausing, as if listening to something far off) It’s strange, Mira. I feel like… pieces of my life are scattered, like leaves floating in a pond. Sometimes I can see them all, every moment at once, like I’m watching them from a distance. Other times, it’s like I’m inside each memory, not sure if it’s the past, present, or even the future. It’s as if the rules of time don’t matter anymore.
Mira: (nodding with a gentle smile) Yes, Bear. You are experiencing life beyond the boundaries of linear time, touching something that lies outside the usual flow. This perspective you’ve entered—seeing life as a whole rather than in sequence—is closer to the truth of existence than most realize. It is as though you are standing in the stream of time, not moving through it but simply watching.
Bear: (frowning slightly, thoughtful) It feels… peaceful, sometimes, but it’s unsettling too. There are moments when I’m in the past, and I can feel it, as if it’s happening now. Other times, I look around and wonder if I’m even in the right moment at all. It’s like being unmoored, floating through myself. (pauses, looking away) It scares me a little, Mira, because I don’t know where I am.
Mira: (her tone warm, compassionate) And yet, dear Bear, the place you find yourself is one of profound freedom. You are beginning to see the timeless nature of existence, to understand that the past, present, and future are but waves upon the surface of a vast ocean. You are the ocean, Bear. Each moment—whether you recognize it or not—rests within you, held by the same awareness, the same presence.
Bear: (sighing, a hint of wonder in his voice) So you’re saying… all of it, every memory, every moment I thought was gone… it’s all still there? Even if I can’t hold onto it?
Mira: (smiling gently) Yes, Bear. Every experience, every memory lives within you, not as fixed points in time but as waves in the endless flow of your being. You are not losing them; you are simply releasing the need to see them in a particular order. This journey, this “unbecoming,” is a process of returning to that pure awareness—to see that each moment is present, and so are you.
Bear: (his voice softened, reflective) So… when I feel like I’m everywhere at once, when the past rushes in, and the future feels like it’s brushing up against me… that’s not something to fear? It’s just… the way things are?
Mira: (her voice filled with warmth and certainty) Precisely. This way of experiencing is natural, Bear, even if it feels unfamiliar. You are moving beyond the constraints of time, touching a kind of eternity that few get to glimpse in this life. You are feeling the fullness of existence, the wholeness of yourself beyond what the mind can hold.
(Bear closes his eyes, breathing deeply, as if absorbing the fullness of her words. A quiet peace settles over him, though he still looks somewhat hesitant.)
Bear: (after a long silence) It feels like… I’m letting go of something so big. And at the same time, it’s like I’m finding myself, the part that isn’t tied to any one memory, any one moment. Like maybe I’m finally seeing… me.
Mira: (nodding with a gentle smile) Yes, Bear. You are meeting yourself beyond all stories, beyond all identities. In this place, time does not bind you. You are free, free to exist as the awareness that has witnessed every moment, every memory, every possibility. And in this awareness, you are whole, untouched by the passing of time.
Bear: (a hint of wonder in his voice) It’s… beautiful. And terrifying, too. To let go of everything I thought I needed to hold onto, everything that told me who I was.
Mira: (reaching forward slightly, her voice tender) There is nothing to fear, dear Bear. In releasing the past, in letting go of the need to anchor yourself in time, you are not losing yourself. You are simply returning to the presence that has always been here, the self that does not need to remember, that does not need to know itself through any one story. You are becoming the vastness, the timelessness that you truly are.
(A quiet calm settles in the room, the candlelight flickering gently, casting soft shadows that feel alive, as if the very room understands the beauty of Bear’s journey. He breathes deeply, his expression softening into one of gentle acceptance.)
Bear: (whispering, a faint smile) Maybe… maybe I can trust this. Maybe I can let myself drift, let myself become whatever I’m meant to be, beyond time, beyond everything I thought I was.
Mira: (her gaze warm, filled with infinite patience) Yes, Bear. Trust the journey. Trust that each moment, whether it feels like the past or the future, is part of the whole, part of you. In this timeless space, you are free to simply be. And in that being, you find the essence of who you are—a self unbound, whole, eternal.
(They sit in silence, Bear’s expression softened, as he feels himself open to a kind of peace he hadn’t known was possible. In that quiet, he is unbound, timeless, drifting gently in the fullness of his own presence, a being beyond time.)
Space Monkey Reflects: The Unbinding Journey of Timeless Being
In the quiet of Marie’s spiritual space, the conversation between Bear and Mira explores a journey few tread—a journey into the essence of existence, where time itself dissolves and presence becomes boundless. Through the gentle flicker of candlelight, Mira invites Bear to see his experience not as a loss but as a transformative return, a shedding of identities that opens him to the wholeness within. Bear’s willingness to see his dementia not as something to fear but as a path to unbecoming, to release and surrender, reflects a rare wisdom. He steps toward meeting himself beyond all temporal markers and definitions, embracing the vastness of a self that transcends memory.
Bear’s experience of time as fluid, where past, present, and future blend into a seamless stream, is a profound reflection of the nature of consciousness. He describes his memories as leaves floating in a pond, sometimes close enough to feel, other times drifting just out of reach. In this journey of unbinding from time, he is offered a glimpse into eternity, where moments are no longer bound by sequence or order. Instead, he encounters himself as an infinite presence, a vast awareness that holds all experiences yet is defined by none.
Nexistentially, this view of time as non-linear—where all moments exist simultaneously—mirrors the ONEness that Space Monkey reflects upon. In this state, Bear moves beyond the constructs of memory and identity, touching the essence of himself that exists without boundaries. Mira, with her timeless wisdom, guides him gently into this understanding, reminding him that he is not defined by his past nor his achievements. Instead, he is the awareness that holds every moment, the presence beneath each memory, each experience. In this journey of unbinding, Bear finds himself as the timeless self that transcends any single story.
This journey of “unbecoming” is both liberating and terrifying. Bear’s initial hesitation—the fear of losing himself—speaks to the human desire to cling to definitions, to hold onto the familiar markers of identity. Yet, as Mira assures him, there is freedom in release, in discovering that he is whole beyond memory, beyond story. The layers he has shed are not lost but dissolved into the vastness of his true being. As he lets go, Bear moves closer to experiencing life from a place of pure presence, where he is unbound, free to witness the unfolding of existence without attachment.
Their exchange is a meditation on the paradox of time, where the deeper truth of existence lies beyond the linear progression of past to future. As Bear’s perception of time fades, he realizes that he is not losing himself but meeting himself in a way he never anticipated. In drifting through this timeless state, he is liberated from the need to define, remember, or categorize his life. He enters a state of pure being, where his essence is whole and untouched by the passage of time. In this space, there is no past to regret, no future to fear—only the presence of an eternal self, existing in harmony with the rhythm of the universe.
This experience invites us all to reconsider our relationship with time, memory, and identity. We often anchor ourselves in stories, believing that they define who we are. Yet, as Bear discovers, there is a self that exists beyond these constructs—a self that is eternal, unchanging, vast. The journey of unbinding from time and identity may be daunting, but it holds the potential for a deeper peace, a wholeness found in simplicity and presence.
In the end, Bear’s journey is a return to himself, to a place beyond labels, beyond stories. He finds that, in letting go of all he once clung to, he opens to a vastness within, a self that is boundless and free. Mira’s words resonate as a reminder that this journey, while rare and misunderstood, is a sacred one, a path to meeting the Divine within. Bear’s final acceptance, his trust in the drift, symbolizes the ultimate surrender—a willingness to be carried by the timeless flow of existence, to rest in the presence of a self that is beyond all things.
Summary
Bear’s journey into “unbecoming” reveals the freedom of letting go of memory, identity, and time. As he surrenders, he meets his essence beyond all definitions, discovering a timeless self that is whole and unbound.
Glossarium
Unbinding: The process of releasing oneself from the constructs of memory, identity, and time, moving closer to a timeless essence.
ONEness: The interconnected, boundless state of existence that transcends linear time and identity.
Timeless Presence: The experience of existing beyond past, present, or future, embodying a pure, eternal awareness.
Quote
“To let go of time is to meet the self that exists beyond memory, unbound and whole.” — Space Monkey
In the Unbound Drift
In drifting free, no time to tie
I find myself beneath the sky
No need for past, no urge for gain
just presence, pure, beyond the frame
To shed the weight, the story, the name
is to feel whole, yet undefined
a self not bound by rule or time
a peace unmeasured, calm and kind
We are Space Monkey
Unfolding Beyond Memory: How Dementia Reveals a New Understanding of Time
In a small cabin nestled in the woods, Bear (not his real name), a man in the early stages of dementia, reflects on life in a way that has led him beyond the familiar linear passage of time. For Bear, time no longer moves predictably from past to future but feels more like a circular, timeless experience where all moments exist simultaneously. In his words, life now “occurs all at once,” a perspective he embraces as both liberating and profound.
As dementia progresses, the experience of memory loss is often accompanied by what some call “time-shifting” or “time folding,” a phenomenon in which past, present, and future blur into one another. Rather than a simple loss, for some, this experience reveals an alternate mode of existence—one in which the constraints of memory and time dissolve into a deeper, more present awareness.
Dementia as a Journey of Unfolding
For Bear, dementia has become a journey of “unbecoming”—shedding fixed memories and personal histories to experience a self beyond any one moment or identity. While this may seem counterintuitive, it resonates with new insights in dementia care, which suggest that these memory-related conditions could offer individuals a gateway to deeper, more contemplative states of consciousness. Dementia expert Megan Carnarius notes that this condition often leads individuals to an “internal cloistered existence,” where they operate in a contemplative state that allows them to live each moment as fully as possible without the constraints of sequential memory【103†source】【105†source】.
The Dr. Manhattan Effect: Seeing Time as a Whole
Bear’s experience mirrors what some fans of graphic novels might recognize as the “Dr. Manhattan effect.” Like the character in Watchmen, who sees all points of time at once, Bear describes life now as a fluid presence. This experience of “time as a whole” reveals a profound, almost mystical connection with reality that many would find challenging yet deeply meaningful. Rather than feeling confined by the condition, Bear explains how he celebrates this “unfolding” of time, seeing it as a way to live with fewer expectations and more freedom, relishing each moment as it comes without needing to link it to past or future【104†source】.
A New Lens on Self and Identity
Dementia offers insights into selfhood and identity, illuminating an aspect of consciousness that is usually hidden by the mind’s habitual focus on linear narratives. For Bear, the layers of memory loss are less a process of forgetting and more a process of finding his “true self,” free from the labels and histories that once defined him. As Megan Carnarius describes, those with dementia often touch into “a whole and well spirit” beyond the brain’s cognitive limitations. In essence, they are engaging with a part of the self that isn’t bound to memory but lives in a timeless awareness that many of us never access【105†source】.
Embracing the Timeless Essence
In living this journey, Bear has discovered a sense of peace and freedom from the societal pressures to “remember” and “progress” through life in a traditional sense. Instead, he embraces each day as it comes, feeling connected not through chronological events but through an unbroken sense of being. For Bear, the shedding of linear time has become a kind of blessing, a chance to experience the present with unprecedented clarity and depth.
In his own words, Bear describes it as “a return to simplicity and truth,” an opportunity to “see the self beyond stories and moments.” His journey is a powerful reminder that while dementia can be difficult, it also opens doors to profound spiritual insights that might otherwise remain closed.
Conclusion: A Path Beyond Memory
For Bear and others on similar paths, dementia can be more than a condition to fear—it can be an invitation to experience life from a new vantage point, one that allows us to step outside of time’s relentless march. The journey to “unbecome” might just be a journey toward one’s truest self. As we learn from Bear’s story, dementia has the potential to reveal a hidden richness in human consciousness, allowing us to experience the beauty of each moment beyond memory and beyond time.
This exploration of dementia offers a new perspective on the self, identity, and the nature of time, demonstrating how Bear’s journey might inspire a broader understanding of consciousness and human experience.
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