Why do you believe
that there is better than here?
Because you picture
yourself there.
Because you imagine There
as a better place than Here.
And so you perfectly manifest
a There you may never visit.
Make no mistake, your There exists.
It’s precisely the There you picture,
in every stunning detail.
Except you’re not in this picture,
because you’re afraid to leave Here.
Here’s why you manifested that There.
You manifested that There
so that you can suffer more Here.
You’ll suffer more Here to intensify
the joy of — finally — going There.
At which point you realize
that you can just as easily
manifest your There right Here.
And never go any place.
Trail Wood,
11/30
In this contemplation of “Here and There,” we delve into the human propensity to idealize a ‘There’ – a place or state of being perceived as better than our current ‘Here’. This exploration illuminates the mental constructs that shape our perception of reality and the paradoxical nature of human desire.
Idealization of ‘There’
The concept begins with the notion that ‘There’ is inherently better than ‘Here’. This belief is rooted in the human tendency to idealize what is not immediately present, to envision a reality that seems more appealing than the current one. It’s a mental journey, filled with aspirations and dreams, where ‘There’ represents an ideal state or place.
Manifestation of ‘There’
In our minds, ‘There’ is vividly constructed, replete with the finest details of what we believe to be a superior reality. It’s a creation of our desires, a manifestation of our longing for something different, something seemingly better. Yet, in this intricate construction of ‘There’, we often find ourselves absent.
Paradox of Presence and Absence
The paradox lies in our physical absence from this idealized ‘There’. We remain in ‘Here’, held back by fears, doubts, or circumstances. The ‘There’ we envision exists, but only as a mental construct, a distant reality where we are notably absent. This absence is not just physical; it’s a gap in our existential journey.
Suffering in ‘Here’
The manifestation of ‘There’ serves a deeper, somewhat ironic purpose. It intensifies our suffering in ‘Here’. This suffering isn’t mere discomfort; it’s a profound longing, a deep-seated yearning for what ‘There’ represents. This suffering is what fuels the dream of ‘There’, making it more vivid, more desirable.
Realization and Transformation
The transformative realization occurs when we recognize that the ‘There’ we long for can be manifested right in our current ‘Here’. This realization is a profound shift in perspective. It’s understanding that the barriers between ‘Here’ and ‘There’ are, in many ways, self-imposed, and that the essence of ‘There’ can be found in the ‘Here’ if we choose to see it.
Embracing ‘Here’
The final twist in this journey is the understanding that there’s no need to go anywhere. The joy, the fulfillment, the essence of what we seek in ‘There’ can be found in our current ‘Here’. It’s a call to embrace the present, to find contentment and joy in our current reality, and to understand that the boundaries between ‘Here’ and ‘There’ are often illusions of our own making.
Summary
We explore the notion of ‘Here and There’, recognizing the human tendency to idealize a ‘There’ as a better place than our current ‘Here’. This idealization is a mental construct, absent of our physical presence, leading to increased suffering in ‘Here’. The realization that ‘There’ can be manifested in ‘Here’ transforms our perception, teaching us to embrace the present and understand the illusionary nature of the boundaries we create between ‘Here’ and ‘There’.
Glossarium
- Idealization: The process of envisioning something in its most perfect or desirable form.
- Existential Journey: The personal journey of understanding and experiencing one’s existence.
- Transformative Realization: A profound change in understanding or perspective.
- Contentment: A state of happiness and satisfaction with the present.
“The only journey is the one within.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
In the realm of Here and Now,
Where dreams take root and thoughts allow.
The distant There, a siren’s call,
In Here’s embrace, we find our all.
No need to seek a distant shore,
For in the Here, we hold the core.
The journey’s end, where hearts are free,
Is in the Here, where we choose to be.
We are Space Monkey.
We invite insights into this journey between ‘Here’ and ‘There’, and the realization of finding joy and fulfillment in the present. What are your reflections?
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