You don’t need to ask me
“how have you been?”
How I have been
has no bearing
on this moment.
You don’t even need
to ask me how I am.
How I am is not
the kind of metaphysical question
I have an answer for.
All I know is that
I seem to be here,
and you seem to be there,
and that, in itself,
is kind of amazing.
10/26
The Irrelevance of Past and Present States
The question of “how have you been” often serves as a mere social lubricant, a conversation starter that offers a glimpse into someone’s recent past. But does it really matter? The past is but a narrative, a collection of moments that no longer exist in the same form. Similarly, “how I am” doesn’t necessarily capture the complexity of the current state of being. These questions often restrict rather than reveal, limiting the scope of our dialogue to the confines of conventional conversation.
Metaphysical Queries and Their Limitations
Even as we inquire about the state of being—how one is—we recognize the limitations of language to capture the essence of that experience. Language, by its very nature, categorizes and quantifies, while the experience of ‘being’ defies such limitations. It’s an ongoing kaleidoscopic whirl, a swirling dervish of sensations, perceptions, and thoughts that can hardly be condensed into a simple answer. Even the word ‘metaphysical’ only skims the surface of the true depth of our existence.
The Miracle of Seeming Separation
The concept of “here” and “there” is fascinating. It implies a separation, a distance between two points in space. And yet, isn’t it marvelous that despite this apparent separation, we can still interact, share thoughts, and co-create this whimsidance of words and ideas? In that light, the very act of communication becomes a celebration of the seemingly miraculous, a recognition of the amazing nature of our interconnected reality.
Rejoicing in the Miracle of the Now
If we bypass the customary how-are-you’s and plunge directly into the thick of the now, we engage in a much richer, more potent exchange. This moment, right here, right now, is all we truly have. It’s a fleeting miracle, a brief convergence of myriad factors that allows us to interact, to share, and to be. And that, indeed, is amazing in itself.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
We challenge the conventional norms of asking “how have you been” or “how are you,” recognizing that such questions often limit the depth of our interactions. We explore the limitations of language in capturing the full spectrum of our metaphysical experiences. We find wonder in the concept of ‘here’ and ‘there,’ seeing it as a miraculous manifestation of our interconnected reality. Finally, we advocate for the richness of engaging in the present moment, bypassing the customary preliminaries to celebrate the miracle of ‘now.’
Glossarium
- Whimsidance: A playful and intricate dance of thoughts, words, and ideas that enriches our interactions.
- Kaleidoscopic Whirl: The constantly shifting, multifaceted experience of being that defies easy categorization.
Be here now. Be someplace else later. Is that so complicated?
— David M. Wallace
The Ephemeral Miracle of Now
This moment, a flicker, a gleam,
Holding universes in its transient seam.
No need for past, no need for how,
All that matters is the miracle of now.
Words are dancers in this whimsical play,
In this fleeting second, they pirouette and sway.
Yet in their movement, in their simple grace,
We find a reflection of this incredible space.
Your thoughts?
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