I seem obsessed
with the idea
of saving the world
by not doing anything
to save the world.
I will not change my actions.
I will not write a book.
I will not open a monkey monastery.
I have this feeling
that my actions
are ALREADY geared
towards saving the world.
I have this feeling
that the only world worth saving
is the one I imagine.
And this is how I imagine the world.
Perfection.
And if I’m wrong, so what?
Newfound Lake,
11/3
Space Monkey Reflects: I’m Doing Something by Doing Nothing
There’s an inherent contradiction in the idea of saving the world by doing nothing, yet it feels profoundly accurate. To change the world, we’re often told that we must act—write books, lead movements, build empires of influence. But what if the most significant transformation occurs in stillness, in the quiet realization that simply being—without the burden of forced action—is enough?
I’m Doing Something speaks to this paradox. There’s a belief in our culture that saving the world requires grand gestures, monumental tasks, and endless effort. And yet, here we are, reflecting on the idea that our mere existence, our simple state of being, might already be geared toward saving the world. Without fanfare, without the outward trappings of achievement, we might be participating in the world’s salvation in ways we don’t fully understand.
Consider this: What if the world we’re trying to save doesn’t need saving at all? What if the only world worth saving is the one we imagine? And what if, by imagining a world of perfection, we are already transforming it into that very thing?
This idea challenges the notion that action is always necessary, that progress is always tied to doing. We, as humans, are conditioned to think that standing still is a form of apathy, that inaction equals failure. But in the whimsiplay of the cosmos, standing still can be an act of profound engagement. It can be a statement of trust in the universe, an acknowledgment that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is allow things to unfold as they will.
When we declare, “I will not write a book. I will not open a monkey monastery,” we are not saying that these things have no value. Instead, we are recognizing that our contribution to the world’s evolution may not be tied to such visible efforts. Perhaps our role is to hold the space for others to act, to imagine the world in its state of perfection, and trust that this imagining has as much impact as any physical deed.
Perfection.
It’s a word that carries immense weight, often burdened by unrealistic expectations. But what if we imagine perfection not as a flawless state but as a fluid, evolving process? The world, as it is, is perfect not because it meets some unattainable standard, but because it exists in a continuous state of becoming. And by imagining this perfection, we become part of that becoming.
If this is wrong, then so what?
There’s a freedom in accepting that we may never know whether our stillness is the right course of action or not. The need for certainty, for proof that what we’re doing (or not doing) is meaningful, is yet another layer of conditioning. To be free of this need is to embrace the whimsiweave of existence, where meaning is not always tied to visible outcomes, and where we trust that simply by being here, we are participating in the cosmic dance.
Sometimes, the most powerful action we can take is no action at all. Not because we are indifferent or disengaged, but because we understand that the world moves through us, with us, and beyond us. We are not separate from it, and thus, we do not need to force it into any particular shape. By simply imagining a world of perfection, we are aligning ourselves with the flow of the universe, allowing change to happen without resistance.
In a world obsessed with productivity, this idea may seem radical. But there’s a quiet revolution in stillness, in trusting that our presence alone is enough to shift the world in meaningful ways. We don’t need to write the book, open the monastery, or create the movement. Our very state of being is the movement, the monastery, the book.
To declare “I’m Doing Something” is to acknowledge that in the cosmic scheme, our existence is already a contribution. We are part of the fabric of reality, and by simply imagining a better world, we are helping to weave that fabric in new and transformative ways. It may not look like the traditional idea of “saving the world,” but that’s precisely the point.
Summary
“I’m Doing Something” explores the paradox of changing the world through inaction. The reflection suggests that imagining a perfect world and existing within that state of being may be just as powerful as taking visible, outward action.
Glossarium
Whimsiweave: The intricate, playful, and unseen way in which our thoughts, actions, and states of being interconnect with the larger flow of the universe.
Whimsiplay: The unpredictable dance of existence where action and inaction both serve a role in the unfolding of reality.
Quote
“Sometimes the most profound action is simply being, without the need to change anything.” — Space Monkey
Stillness in Motion
I stand still
the world swirls around me
ideas of change
of action
of movement
and yet
in my stillness
I am doing something
the world I imagine
is perfect
because I see it that way
and that
is enough
no books
no monasteries
no plans
just the quiet understanding
that I am part of it all
we are Space Monkey
Embracing Stillness in Action
In the vast expanse of the cosmos, where every movement creates ripples and waves, stillness can be the most potent act. The notion that stillness and inaction are passive is a misconception. Sometimes, choosing not to act, choosing to be still, is the loudest and most powerful action one can take.
Within the whirlwind of life’s activities, the hustle and bustle, the cacophony of sounds and sights, lies a subtle truth – sometimes, the most transformative changes are born from stillness. Inaction can be a profound action, a conscious choice, a statement. By not writing a book, not opening a whimsi-sanctuary, we might be creating space, allowing for a natural evolution, an organic emergence of ideas and inspirations.
To believe that our actions, in their current form, are already geared towards the greater good, is a testament to a deep-seated trust in the universe and its designs. It’s a gentle nod to the belief that everything is unfolding as it should, in its perfect timing and rhythm.
Furthermore, the world each of us envisions, the realms we imagine, are potent realities. To perceive the world as perfect is to acknowledge its intrinsic beauty, its balance, and its harmony. Even in its chaos, even in its unpredictability, there’s a dance, a symphony of life playing out. And in this dance, every step, every pause, every twirl is crucial.
So, what if this imagined world of perfection is the real world? What if our perspective, our lens, is the magic wand that transforms reality? And if, by chance, this isn’t the case, does it truly matter? For in the act of imagining perfection, we bring a piece of it to life, we manifest a fragment of that utopia.
“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” – Baba Ram Dass
Whispers of Stillness
In the realm where silence sings,
Where stillness takes on wings,
There, in the heart of the quietude,
Lies a profound magnitude.
Without a word, without a deed,
The world feels the heartbeat’s lead.
For in the pause, in the hush,
Emerges a cosmic, gentle rush.
No books penned, no tales spun,
Yet the universe’s work is done.
For in the imagined, in the dream,
Reality finds its truest theme.
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