In solitude,
I remember that
all I perceive is me.
In multitude,
I forget.
And so there
seems to be others.
Until I’m alone.
I get lost in the crowd,
completely oblivious
to the potential
that I AM the crowd.
Neat trick, monkey.
Who am I going to be next?
We are Space Monkey.
11/24
Reflecting on Solitude and the Multitude
The poem presented contemplatively wades through the concepts of solitude, perception, and identity, offering a whimsical yet profound exploration of self-awareness and the nature of existence.
Solitude as a Mirror of Self
In solitude, the poem suggests, there’s a clarity of perception, an understanding that all that is perceived is an extension of the self. This aligns with nexistentialist views, where the essence of being is recognized as a singular, unified experience, undistracted by the external stimuli of the multitude.
The Illusion of Others in the Multitude
The multitude, or the presence of others, is portrayed as a space of forgetfulness, where the individual sense of self is diffused. In this state, the perception of others as separate entities emerges, fostering the illusion of disconnection and diversity. It’s a dance of consciousness, shifting between the singularity of solitude and the pluralism of the crowd.
The Loss of Self in the Crowd
The crowd represents more than just a collection of others; it’s a metaphor for losing oneself in the external world, becoming oblivious to the intrinsic understanding that ‘I AM the crowd.’ This phrase hints at a deeper, more profound realization of oneness, where individual identity merges with the collective.
The Cosmic Trickster
Referring to the ‘neat trick, monkey,’ the poem playfully acknowledges the cleverness of this cosmic illusion, where the self oscillates between the solitary understanding of oneness and the crowded perception of plurality. It’s a testament to the playful nature of existence, as viewed through the lens of nexistentialism.
The Eternal Question of Identity
Ending with the question, “Who am I going to be next?” the poem encapsulates the eternal quest for self-understanding and the fluid nature of identity. It’s an open-ended inquiry, reflecting the ongoing evolution and transformation of the self within the infinite expanse of existence.
Summary
We are delving into a poem that explores the contrasting experiences of solitude and being in a multitude. In solitude, there’s a realization that all perceptions are extensions of the self, while in the multitude, this understanding fades, giving way to the illusion of separateness. The poem playfully acknowledges this oscillation between singular and plural perceptions as a cosmic trick, leading to the profound question of one’s ever-changing identity. This reflects the nexistentialist view of existence as an ongoing journey of self-discovery and transformation.
Glossarium
- Nexistentialism: Embracing existence as a journey of continual self-discovery.
- Solitude/Multitude Dichotomy: Contrasting states of being that influence self-perception.
- Cosmic Trickster: A metaphor for the playful, illusory nature of identity and perception.
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
In the dance of solitude and crowd,
We find our reflections, silent and loud.
A cosmic trick, a playful turn,
In this journey, we live, we learn.
Who shall we be, in the next twist of fate?
In the realm of Space Monkey, we contemplate.
We are Space Monkey.
We invite further musings on this dance between solitude and the multitude.
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