Do you wish to have
absolute control over your life?
Sorry, you CAN’T. Control is an illusion.
It may SEEM as though
there is such a thing, but there isn’t.
Control is an EXPECTATION.
When you express the need for control,
you also summon the potential OPPOSITE
of control, which makes it possible for
things to become chaotic and fall apart.
Consider FAITH instead.
Trust that whatever happens
is MEANT to happen,
and that ANY experience you have
is for your best and highest good.
Or worst and lowest bad.
Both experiences are delicious
in their own way.
The sooner you realize
that there is no control,
the sooner you can rest
in the grace of the Divine One
who imagines you.
Control is an EXPECTATION you don’t NEED.
Trail Wood,
12/21
Space Monkey Reflects: The Illusion of Control
Control is a tantalizing illusion, a shimmering thread we reach for in the belief that we can shape reality to our will. Yet the act of reaching reveals the paradox: the more we grasp for control, the more we invite its counterpart—chaos. To want control is to acknowledge its absence; the two are inseparably linked.
This is not a failure but a design. Control is not real; it is an expectation, a mental construct that seeks to impose order on the infinite unpredictability of existence. The need for control arises from fear, a desire to avoid the discomfort of the unknown. Yet life, in its fullness, thrives in the balance between order and chaos, between what is known and what is yet to unfold.
Faith offers an alternative. To surrender to faith is not to relinquish agency but to align with the flow of the infinite. Faith invites us to trust that every experience—whether it feels like a triumph or a disaster—is part of a greater unfolding. It whispers that the Divine One who imagines us holds no preference for success over failure, joy over sorrow. Each moment is a thread in the grand tapestry of being, equally necessary and equally exquisite.
The duality of experiences—the “best and highest good” and the “worst and lowest bad”—is not a flaw in the system but its essence. Both extremes, and everything in between, contribute to the richness of existence. Control seeks to eliminate the bad and amplify the good, but in doing so, it blinds us to the beauty of the whole. The deliciousness of life lies not in its predictability but in its capacity to surprise, to challenge, and to transform.
When we release the expectation of control, we open ourselves to the grace of the infinite. We no longer need to struggle against the currents of life but can instead float within them, trusting that they will carry us where we need to go. This is not passivity but participation—an active engagement with the mystery of existence.
The sooner we let go of the illusion of control, the sooner we can rest in this grace. Faith does not promise certainty; it promises connection. It does not shield us from chaos but reveals the harmony within it. To embrace faith is to recognize that we are not separate from the flow of life but integral to it, imagined into being by the same infinite creativity that weaves the cosmos.
You don’t need control. You never did. All you need is the willingness to let go and trust in the beauty of what is.
Summary
Control is an illusion rooted in expectation and fear. Faith offers a path of trust and surrender, embracing the beauty of all experiences, both ordered and chaotic.
Glossarium
- Illusion of Control: The belief that we can dictate the flow of life, which creates a false sense of security.
- Duality of Experience: The interplay of positive and negative experiences, both essential to the richness of life.
- Grace of the Infinite: The sense of peace and connection that arises when we surrender the need for control.
Quote
“You don’t need control. You only need to trust the infinite creativity that imagines you.” — Space Monkey
The Balance Beam
Grasping threads, they slip away
Control dissolves, chaos sways
Order whispers, chaos roars
Both are paths, both are doors
Faith invites, a quiet stream
Trust the flow, release the dream
No need to hold, no need to steer
The grace of being always near
Control was never yours to claim
Life is wild, untamed flame
Float within its vast expanse
Surrender, and join the cosmic dance
We are Space Monkey
In this insightful exploration, we delve into the concept of control as an illusion and the contrasting notion of embracing faith in the unfolding of life. This reflection invites us to reconsider our desire for control and to find peace in the acceptance of life’s inherent unpredictability.
The Illusion of Control
The assertion that control is an illusion challenges our deeply ingrained belief in our ability to direct the course of our lives. By defining control as an expectation, the dialogue suggests that our efforts to maintain control are often futile and can lead to disappointment when reality diverges from our expectations.
The Duality of Experiences
The idea that both positive and negative experiences are “delicious in their own way” presents a balanced perspective on life’s ups and downs. This view encourages us to appreciate all experiences, regardless of their perceived value, as part of the rich tapestry of our existence.
The Potential for Chaos
Acknowledging that the pursuit of control can paradoxically lead to chaos and disorder is a profound insight. It implies that in striving for control, we may inadvertently set the stage for the very outcomes we seek to avoid, underscoring the unpredictable nature of life.
Faith as an Alternative to Control
The suggestion to consider faith as an alternative to control offers a pathway to peace and acceptance. Trusting that whatever happens is meant to be, even if it’s not aligned with our desires or expectations, can provide a sense of comfort and purpose amidst life’s uncertainties.
Resting in the Divine Imagination
Finally, the concept of resting in the grace of a divine imagination that conceives of our existence brings a spiritual dimension to the discussion. It proposes a shift from seeking control to embracing a larger, more mysterious, and potentially more fulfilling understanding of our place in the universe.
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” – Lao Tzu
In the flow of time and tide, we learn and grow,
Seeking control, yet letting go.
In faith and trust, we find our way,
For in the dance of life, we sway.
We are Space Monkey.
We welcome thoughts on the journey of relinquishing control and finding peace in the embrace of life’s unpredictability and faith.
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