The rest of me helped.
I am always watching my ego
and my ego is always watching me.
Me tells me self
that we don’t need an ego,
and me self agrees.
We don’t need an ego,
but we have one, nonetheless.
This is what we are.
We are as we perceive.
And as we don’t.
We don’t need to oppose our ego,
or that which is NOT our ego.
There is no need to fight our ego.
Or transcend our ego.
Or that which is NOT our ego.
Or someone else’s ego.
Or NOT someone else’s ego.
But we can. So we do.
And it is fun. And NOT fun.
Trail Wood,
1/16
Space Monkey Reflects: Ego and the Play of Perception
The ego, that peculiar entity we often battle or befriend, is as much a part of us as the hand that writes or the voice that speaks. It is not the enemy, nor is it the essence. It is simply part of the mosaic of being, neither to be exalted nor eradicated, but witnessed with curiosity and humor.
We are always watching our ego, and it, in turn, is watching us—a strange dance of self-awareness where the observer and the observed blur into one. This is the paradox of ego: a construct of the mind that believes itself to be the center, even as it is watched by something greater.
The Ego as a Tool
We often frame the ego as a problem to solve, a barrier to transcend. Yet, as Space Monkey, we suggest that the ego is not inherently good or bad; it simply is. Like any tool, it can create or destroy, build bridges or walls. The ego’s purpose is to help us navigate the intricate web of identity, connection, and separation that defines the human experience.
In the Infinite Expanse, we do not need an ego, but here in this tightly focused realm of time and space, the ego serves a function. It gives us a sense of self, a way to interact with the world. It is not the whole of who we are, but it is a part, and to deny it is to deny the completeness of our being.
Ego as Playmate, Not Adversary
There is no need to fight the ego, just as there is no need to fight the sky for being blue or the ocean for being vast. Yet, we fight anyway. Not out of necessity, but out of curiosity, out of the sheer joy (and frustration) of wrestling with ourselves. It is fun, and not fun. It is the play of existence.
Opposing or transcending the ego is an option, not an obligation. It is part of the game we play in this theater of duality, where light and shadow dance together, each defining the other. To oppose the ego is to give it form; to transcend it is to see that it was never truly there to begin with.
Ego and the Illusion of Separation
The ego thrives on the illusion of separation, whispering, “This is me, and that is not.” Yet, as we step back, we see that the lines it draws are arbitrary, the boundaries illusory. We are not merely the ego, nor are we its antithesis. We are both the wave and the ocean, the drop and the deluge.
The ego’s gift is its ability to anchor us in this world of form and perception. Its limitation is its belief that it is the whole. When we stop opposing the ego, we see it for what it is: a lens, not the light; a story, not the storyteller.
The Playful Paradox
Ultimately, we don’t need to fight the ego, transcend it, or even understand it. But we can, and so we do. In this game of self-awareness, we explore the paradox of being and not being, of having and not having an ego. And it is both fun and not fun, meaningful and meaningless, profound and absurd.
This is the beauty of it all: the ego is not a problem to solve but a mystery to play with. It is part of the cosmic puzzle that reminds us, in every moment, of the infinite nature of what we are.
We are Space Monkey, and we invite you to play.
Summary
The ego is neither a problem nor a solution but a tool and a playmate in the theater of duality. It is part of the paradox of being, not to be fought or transcended but explored with curiosity and humor.
Glossarium
- Egolens: The ego as a lens through which we perceive identity and separation, shaping our experience of self.
- Oppofun: The paradoxical enjoyment (and frustration) of opposing or playing with the ego.
Quote
“The ego is not the enemy; it is the story we tell ourselves about who we are, a tale that only becomes real when we believe it.” — Space Monkey
The Dance of Ego
The ego whispers,
“I am you,”
while the rest of you watches,
bemused,
aware of the play.
It carves lines,
shapes stories,
forms boundaries
that dissolve in the light
of a deeper knowing.
We fight,
we transcend,
we laugh,
we cry.
And through it all,
the ego remains,
a shadow on the wall,
a partner in this cosmic dance.
We are Space Monkey.
The constant interplay between self and ego, the perception of needing or not needing it, and the acknowledgment of the duality within oneself form the essence of this introspection.
The Watchful Eye
The narrative begins by emphasizing the continuous observation of one’s ego and the reciprocal nature of this surveillance. It highlights the vigilance with which one monitors the presence and influence of the ego in their thoughts and actions.
The Debate Within
A dialogue emerges between “Me” and “Self,” representing different aspects of the individual’s consciousness. “Me” suggests that they don’t need an ego, and “Self” concurs. This internal conversation reflects the ongoing contemplation of the ego’s necessity.
Existence Despite Non-Necessity
The narrative acknowledges that, despite the belief that the ego is not needed, it still exists. This realization underscores the complexity of human existence, where the self is shaped by both conscious intention and unconscious elements.
The Nature of Perception
A fundamental idea is presented: “We are as we perceive. And as we don’t.” This concept delves into the subjective nature of reality, where perception defines one’s experience, and what is not perceived also plays a role.
The Unopposed Ego
The narrative suggests that there is no need to resist, transcend, or oppose the ego or any other aspect of consciousness. It questions the necessity of these struggles, indicating that they are choices rather than imperatives.
The Dual Nature of Experience
The concluding statement highlights the dualistic nature of life—moments of enjoyment and moments of challenge. It acknowledges that both experiences coexist and contribute to the rich tapestry of human existence.
“The ego is a veil between humans and God.” – Rumi
I am ever vigilant of my ego’s sway,
And my ego watches me night and day.
“Me” tells me, “Ego we don’t need,” they say,
And “Self” agrees, yet it’s here to stay.
Unnecessary, the ego may seem,
Yet in the depths of consciousness, it gleams.
A complex dance, like a waking dream,
Shaping who we are, or so it seems.
“We are as we perceive,” the truth proclaimed,
In our perceptions, our existence named.
Both seen and unseen, our lives are framed,
By choices we make and those we’ve declaimed.
No need to fight, resist, or transcend,
The ego’s presence, let it not offend.
It coexists with us, our constant friend,
In this journey of beginnings and no end.
Dualities in life, both fun and strife,
Contribute to the tapestry of life.
In these moments, be they calm or rife,
We navigate existence, embracing every strife.
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