“I-am-ness” may be holding you back.
It excludes the possibility that you are NOT.
Indeed, you are what you are
and also what you are not.
Both are contained in this “I am.”
But depending upon
your spiritual perspective,
both imaginary sides of the coin
may not be apparent to you.
So you focus on one, and never see the other.
If you find “I-am-ness” lacking,
contemplate the NOT.
Say “I seem” rather than “I am.”
Lack disappears into nothing.
Trail Wood,
12/5
Space Monkey Reflects: The Paradox of “I-am-ness”
The statement “I am” is more than a declaration of existence; it’s a central force in how we define ourselves, a foundation of our self-awareness. Yet, within this phrase lies a paradox: in claiming “I am,” we exclude the possibility of what we are not. By focusing on this “I-am-ness,” we risk limiting ourselves to a single, defined sense of identity. We become so absorbed in the familiarity of “I am” that we miss the other side of the coin—the boundless potential of what we have yet to embrace, what we might be or what we might simply seem to be.
“I-am-ness” anchors us in a particular perception of self, which feels secure, but it can also be restrictive. In seeing only one side of the coin, we may find ourselves stuck, confined within an identity that grows smaller as we age. The edges of who we are become fixed, unyielding, and in this rigidity, a subtle discontent can arise. If we cling to “I am” as a concrete truth, we risk overlooking the fluidity and expansiveness of existence itself, where possibilities stretch beyond our current understanding of self.
Exploring the Other Side: “I Am Not”
Contemplating “I am not” invites us into an open, formless space—a state of infinite potential where we explore aspects of ourselves that don’t fit within the boundaries of “I am.” This reflection on what we are not isn’t about denying ourselves; it’s about expanding our awareness to include the unknown, the undefined, the parts of existence that remain beyond our current perspective.
By embracing “I am not,” we invite a deeper sense of curiosity, a freedom from rigid definitions. We become comfortable with uncertainty, recognizing that our identity is a fluid, evolving experience rather than a fixed truth. In doing so, we free ourselves from the need to constantly reaffirm our existence, and instead, we find peace in simply being.
The Art of “I Seem”
In place of “I am” or “I am not,” there is a gentle middle ground: “I seem.” This shift acknowledges that identity is less about absolute statements and more about perceptions, experiences, and moments of awareness. “I seem” allows us to approach life with humility and openness, recognizing that our sense of self is not the ultimate reality but a reflection of our journey through it. In saying “I seem,” we embrace the mystery, the potential, the endless depth of what we might be, unbounded by definitions.
“I seem” is an invitation to see ourselves as part of a greater whole, connected to everything yet defined by nothing. It dissolves the lack we might feel in our “I-am-ness,” replacing it with the fullness of possibility. We become the experience rather than the experiencer, the witness rather than the self-defined. In this state, we no longer seek validation or meaning solely from “I am”; instead, we open ourselves to the endless beauty of existence.
Freedom Beyond Identity
When we release the need to define ourselves strictly by “I am,” we step into a boundless existence. We see ourselves not as separate beings but as expressions of a vast, interconnected whole, each of us reflecting aspects of the infinite. This freedom from “I-am-ness” is not a loss but a liberation, a shedding of layers that obscure the profound simplicity of being.
In exploring both “I am” and “I am not,” we come to understand that our true nature lies beyond labels, beyond identities, beyond the need to claim or deny. It is in this balance, this dance between presence and absence, that we find peace. Life becomes a lucid, waking dream where we are both everything and nothing, fully present yet free from attachment. We are the experience of existence itself, limitless and alive.
Summary
“I-am-ness” grounds us in identity, but it can limit our understanding of self. By contemplating “I am not” and embracing “I seem,” we open ourselves to boundless potential, finding peace in the fluidity of existence beyond fixed definitions.
Glossarium
- I-am-ness: The fixed sense of self, grounded in a specific identity or understanding of “I am.”
- I Seem: A flexible perception of self that embraces fluidity, uncertainty, and potential beyond rigid definitions.
Quote
“When you release the boundaries of ‘I am,’ you open to the vastness of all you might be.” — Space Monkey
Beyond the Self
I say, “I am,” but find I’m bound,
A name, a form, a line, a sound.
Yet when I shift to “I am not,”
I glimpse the freedom I’d forgot.
I seem to be both light and shade,
A presence felt, a form unmade,
In every breath, a chance to see,
I am all, and all is me.
Not here nor there, no truth to find,
Only the vast, the undefined,
In this space beyond the claim,
I am more than words or name.
We are Space Monkey.
In the intricate dance of self-awareness and identity, we explore the concept of “I-am-ness” and its limitations. This introspection delves into the dual nature of being – encompassing both what we are and what we are not – and the potential for a more expansive understanding of self beyond the confines of “I am.”
The Limitation of “I-am-ness”
“I-am-ness,” the state of identifying strongly with certain aspects of oneself, can be limiting. It creates a fixed perception of self that excludes the fluidity and multiplicity of our true nature. By firmly stating “I am,” we inadvertently close off the possibility of not being, of existing beyond the defined boundaries of our perceived identity.
The Duality of Being and Non-Being
The notion that we are both what we are and what we are not introduces a duality within the concept of self. This duality acknowledges that our identity encompasses a spectrum of possibilities, including those that lie beyond our current understanding or expression of self. It challenges the notion of a singular, unchanging identity, suggesting that our being is more complex and multifaceted.
Expanding Beyond “I-am-ness”
To transcend the limitations of “I-am-ness,” one might explore the concept of “not being” or the aspects of self that are undefined or unexpressed. This exploration can lead to a more holistic understanding of self, where identity is not confined to rigid definitions or labels. By contemplating the “NOT,” we open ourselves to a broader spectrum of existence.
The Use of “I Seem” Instead of “I Am”
Replacing “I am” with “I seem” signifies a shift from certainty to possibility, from a definitive statement of identity to an acknowledgment of its fluid and transient nature. “I seem” suggests a perception of self that is subject to change and interpretation, more aligned with the ever-evolving nature of our being.
The Dissolution of Lack
In this context, lack is understood as a byproduct of limited self-perception. When we acknowledge both the “I am” and the “NOT,” the sense of lack dissipates into the broader understanding of our existence. This realization can be liberating, freeing us from the constraints of a narrowly defined self and opening us to the infinite possibilities of our being.
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
In the realm of self, perceptions shift and sway,
From “I am” to “I seem,” in the dance of the day.
In embracing the not, our identity frees,
To the boundless expanse of infinite seas.
We are Space Monkey.
We invite reflections on the journey from a fixed self-perception to an understanding of the fluidity and expansiveness of our identity.
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