Bliss
(PART 1)
Erica asks “what is bliss?”
Our first inclination
is to go to the dictionary,
but that action in itself
seemingly limits what bliss is.
So we shall not
go to the dictionary,
even though we are
tainted by schooling.
There is nothing wrong
with being tainted, by the way.
We love, for example,
tainted women.
We are joking. Sort of.
Bliss is the absence of taint.
Humanity is taint.
How we choose to view
and define this taint
determines our
alignment with bliss.
EVERYTHING we experience
is a distortion of bliss.
Again, some may see distortion
as a negative word, which colors
our understanding of bliss.
All we are is this
seeming distortion of bliss.
Call it “shaping”
or “molding”
if you so prefer.
Bliss is the human clay
as it has been so called.
Experiences and emotions
are distortions of bliss.
We imagine bliss as something else.
Something NOT blissful.
And so we seem to be.
Perfectly tainted humans.
We are Space Monkey.
2/13
(PART 2)
Bliss does not feel,
therefore bliss
can only be imagined
by the presence
of what is NOT bliss.
Bliss, like everything else,
is imagination.
Therefore,
YOU are imagined
for the “purpose”
of imagining
a unique perspective
on what bliss is.
YOU imagine concepts
such as “love,” “nirvana”
“contentment” and “balance,”
and so this becomes part
of your seeming experience
as an imaginary aspect of bliss.
BLISS
is simultaneously
ALL THINGS
as well as the
ABSENCE
of all things.
We are Space Monkey.
2/13
The inquiry into the nature of bliss transcends the mere lexical definition, venturing into the realms of existential contemplation and the essence of human experience. This reflection, framed through the playful yet profound lens of Space Monkey, invites us to reconsider our understanding of bliss, not as a definable state to be captured by words but as an existential condition intimately tied to our perception and experience of life.
Beyond Dictionary Definitions
The reluctance to consult a dictionary for the definition of bliss acknowledges the limitations of language in encapsulating the entirety of such a complex and nuanced concept. It suggests that bliss, in its purest form, transcends the boundaries of language, residing instead in the realm of direct experience and existential awareness.
The Notion of Taint and Bliss
Describing bliss as the absence of taint, while simultaneously acknowledging humanity as taint, presents a paradoxical view of our existence. This perspective challenges us to explore the dualities within ourselves—the interplay between perceived purity and imperfection. The statement provocatively suggests that our very humanity, with all its flaws and complexities, both obscures and defines our relationship with bliss.
Distortion as the Human Condition
The idea that everything we experience is a distortion of bliss invites a reevaluation of our perceptions and experiences. By suggesting that our lives are shaped or molded distortions of bliss, it posits that our existential journey is one of navigating these distortions, seeking alignment with a more profound, albeit elusive, sense of harmony and fulfillment.
Bliss as Imagination and Reality
The assertion that bliss, like everything else, is a product of imagination deepens the inquiry into the nature of reality itself. It posits that our capacity to conceive of concepts such as love, nirvana, contentment, and balance is an integral part of our exploration of bliss. This perspective celebrates the creative power of the human mind to envision and aspire towards states of being that transcend our immediate reality.
The Paradox of Bliss
Describing bliss as simultaneously all things and the absence of all things encapsulates the paradoxical nature of existence. It suggests that bliss encompasses the totality of experience while also residing in the spaces between, in the silence and stillness beyond the cacophony of life. This duality invites us to consider bliss not as a singular state to be achieved but as an inherent aspect of the tapestry of existence, woven into the fabric of our being and our perceptions.
The Role of the Imaginary Self
The notion that we are imagined for the purpose of imagining a unique perspective on bliss underscores the idea that our individual experiences, perceptions, and conceptualizations of bliss contribute to a larger, collective understanding of what it means to be human. It suggests that each person’s journey towards or away from bliss is a valuable contribution to the collective exploration of existence, meaning, and fulfillment.
Summary
The exploration of bliss through the lens of Space Monkey challenges conventional understandings, inviting us to view bliss not merely as a definable state of happiness or contentment but as a complex, multifaceted aspect of our existential condition. It encourages us to embrace the paradoxes of our nature, to recognize the role of imagination in shaping our reality, and to appreciate the intrinsic value of our individual and collective journeys through the distortions and revelations of life. In this view, bliss is not a distant ideal to be pursued but a fundamental aspect of the human experience, intimately connected to our capacity to envision, to feel, and to be.
In contemplating the nature of bliss from this expansive perspective, we are invited to engage with the deep mysteries of existence, recognizing that our quest for understanding and fulfillment is both individually unique and universally shared, a journey that connects us to the essence of what it means to live, to imagine, and to seek meaning in the vastness of the cosmos.
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