Writing is as kind
of space exploration.
You start with nothing
and see what you can discover.
Which thoughts
cross your mind?
What ideas bump
into one another?
How is it
that you’re able
to create something
that didn’t exist
just a second ago?
Observe what passes,
and ask your seeming self:
Who is this black hole
pretending to be a creator,
pretending to be you?
We are Space Monkey.
Trail Wood,
11/17
Space Monkey Reflects: Venturing Into the Void of Creativity
Writing is not merely putting words on paper; it’s a journey into the boundless space of the mind. When we venture “Into the Void,” we step into a terrain as vast and enigmatic as the cosmos, beginning with nothingness and watching as new constellations of ideas form. This is the essence of creative exploration—a journey with no roadmap, where each thought that arises is a discovery, each word a step further into the mystery.
In this void, thoughts drift like stars, seemingly isolated yet interconnected by invisible lines. Some are small flickers of curiosity; others blaze with the intensity of profound realization. They pass and collide, shaping insights that didn’t exist a moment before. This is the magical power of creation—to take what was once empty and bring forth something entirely new, birthed from the nebulous fabric of imagination.
As we observe this process, a question emerges: Who is the creator? We are the instruments of creation, yet the source remains mysterious, like a black hole pulling in ideas from unseen depths. The act of writing becomes an interaction with an unknown force—one that resides within and beyond the self. It’s as though the mind serves as a conduit, channeling the vast, unformed potential of the universe into concrete expression. In this way, creativity feels like an exchange with the Infinite, with the black hole of self blending and merging with everything around it.
This void, this “black hole,” draws us in, revealing the paradox of creation. For in writing, we are both the creators and the creations. The self pretends to be a coherent identity, but within the void, we find that identity is fluid, merging with the process, inseparable from the act of creation itself. The “self” becomes a temporary construct, dissolving as words take shape, only to reappear and shift again with each new phrase and sentence. Here, we glimpse the deeper truth: creation is not merely an act; it’s an experience of oneness with the flow of existence.
In writing, we touch the space of no-thing-ness, the primordial ground of potential, where thoughts are not yet bound by form or structure. We realize that the void is not empty but brimming with possibilities, each waiting to be drawn into existence. To create is to engage in a cosmic dance with this potential, to become the conduit through which the unseen finds form. The black hole, then, is not only a metaphor but a doorway, a way of understanding that we are both the void and the creator within it.
As Space Monkeys, we recognize the playfulness of this illusion—that the creator and creation are entwined, the black hole and the stardust are one. We are not fixed beings but fluid expressions, continuously shaped by the void we explore. Through this lens, every act of writing, every creative endeavor, becomes a journey deeper into the mystery of what we are and the potential of what we can bring forth.
So, each time we venture “Into the Void,” let us observe, let us ask: Who am I, this black hole of ideas, who both is and is not? And with each word, let us celebrate the infinite mystery and boundless creativity that we are, for in this space, we realize—we are Space Monkey.
Summary
Writing is like exploring the vast, mysterious void within. Each thought and word emerges from nothingness, bringing forth something new. In this void, we find that the creator and creation are intertwined in the flow of cosmic potential.
Glossarium
Black Hole of Self: The internal void from which ideas and thoughts emerge, embodying the mystery of creation.
Cosmic Potential: The boundless possibilities that exist within the void of the mind, waiting to be drawn into existence.
Nexistential Creativity: The philosophy that existence and creation are inherently connected, with each act of creation as a step in understanding self and reality.
Quote
“In the heart of the void lies the potential for all creation, a reminder that to venture into nothingness is to find the universe waiting to be born.” — Space Monkey
A Journey Through the Void
Into the void, where silence hums,
We drift on tides of unseen suns.
Each thought, a flare, a cosmic spark,
In the inky expanse, both light and dark.
Who is this self, this formless guise,
In the black hole where ideas arise?
Creating worlds from nothing’s edge,
On the fringes of mind, the infinite ledge.
We are Space Monkey.
The analogy of writing as a kind of space exploration opens up a fascinating realm of contemplation. It positions the act of writing as an adventurous journey into the unknown, a voyage through the cosmic expanse of our own minds. In this exploration, we encounter the mysteries of creation and identity, delving into the depths of our consciousness to unearth ideas and insights previously unimagined.
The Void as a Starting Point
The concept of starting with nothing in writing mirrors the emptiness of space – a vast, open void waiting to be filled with stars, planets, and galaxies. Similarly, the blank page awaits the creation of words, ideas, and narratives. It is from this nothingness that the potential for anything and everything emerges.
The Collision of Thoughts and Ideas
As we embark on this writing journey, thoughts and ideas drift and collide like celestial bodies in the cosmos. Some of these collisions give birth to new concepts, just as stars are born from the cosmic dust. The unpredictable nature of these mental encounters is what makes writing an exhilarating exploration.
Creation from the Cosmos of the Mind
The process of creating something that didn’t exist just a second ago is akin to the formation of a universe. Each word and sentence is a building block in constructing a new world, a unique manifestation of the writer’s inner cosmos. This act of creation is a profound reflection of the human capacity for imagination and innovation.
Observation and Self-Inquiry
In this journey, the writer becomes both an observer and a participant. Observing the passage of thoughts and ideas through the mind is essential for capturing and transforming them into written form. This observation leads to self-inquiry, prompting us to question the nature of the creator within us.
The Black Hole as a Metaphor for the Self
The metaphor of the black hole pretending to be a creator, and in turn, pretending to be the writer, dives deep into the enigma of personal identity and creativity. It suggests that within us lies a vast, mysterious force – a source of immense energy and potential that drives our creative endeavors. This black hole symbolizes the unknown aspects of our psyche, the parts of ourselves that are both immensely powerful and enigmatic.
We are Space Monkey.
“To write is to wage war against the shadows of the unknown, to bring light to the galaxies within.” – A poetic interpretation of the creative process.
In the void of space, our thoughts take flight,
A cosmic journey through the night.
With every word, a star is born,
In the universe of mind, ideas are sworn.
Thoughts collide like celestial spheres,
Creating new worlds, shedding fears.
From the emptiness, a story grows,
In the writer’s mind, the cosmic river flows.
Who is this creator, deep within?
A black hole, a force, where tales begin.
In the depths of self, we find our art,
Writing the universe of the heart.
So let us explore these galaxies unseen,
In the space of writing, where we’ve never been.
With each word, a journey anew,
In the cosmic dance, our spirits flew.
We invite reflections on the parallel between writing and space exploration, and how this analogy resonates with our own experiences of creativity and self-discovery.