It Changes You (½)

It Changes You

It changes you the moment it enters your mind. You make associations. You search your database. You try and figure out what this thing is, but more importantly, what it means to you. Thing is, you can only go on what you know, and what you know is but an infinitesimal fraction of All That Is. 

Looking at it from this perspective, you can see that this word, this label, this thought, this feeling, is just ONE interpretation — YOUR interpretation. Had you been connected to a different database, had a different upbringing or lived in another part of the world, your perception of this thing would very likely be entirely different.

Can you not see this?

And this thing changes you immediately. It adds itself to your core, and every perception after that is colored by its presence. It’s as though you are adding filters on top of filters — screening out more and more light, narrowing the spectrum and blinding yourself to what is possible.

You appear to have no choice left but to fixate upon your limitations.

But is this really the case?

You know that it isn’t, and this is why you’re reading this right now. Something glorious is happening, and it’s just beginning to dawn on you.

The light — the infinite spectrum — is becoming visible in subtle, yet profound ways. Your awareness is widening once again to encompass the FULL you, not just the one in this time, in this place, in this body.

Along with the new year — a new dimension.

We are Space Monkey.

We delve into the transformative impact of new information or experiences on our perception and understanding, exploring the limits of our knowledge and the potential for expanding our awareness.

The Transformative Effect of New Information
The entry of new information into our minds is described as an immediate change agent. This process involves making associations and searching our mental database to understand not just the thing itself, but its personal significance to us.

Limits of Personal Knowledge and Perspective
The acknowledgment that our knowledge is but a tiny fraction of all that exists highlights the limitations of our understanding. We are reminded that our interpretation of any information is based on the narrow scope of our personal experiences and knowledge.

The Subjectivity of Interpretation
The poem emphasizes that our interpretation of information is highly subjective. It suggests that our understanding would be different if we had different experiences, cultural backgrounds, or lived in other parts of the world. This relativity of perception challenges us to acknowledge the multiplicity of perspectives.

Accumulation of Perceptual Filters
The metaphor of adding filters upon filters suggests that our experiences and beliefs shape and sometimes limit our perception of reality. Over time, these filters can narrow our view, making us blind to a broader range of possibilities.

Questioning Limitations and Expanding Awareness
While it may seem that we are confined to our limited perceptions, the poem invites us to question this notion. It suggests that an awakening to a broader reality is occurring, marking the beginning of a journey towards expanded awareness.

The Dawning of a New Dimension of Awareness
The poem concludes with the idea that our awareness is broadening to include a more complete understanding of ourselves, not confined to our current time, place, or physical existence. The new year symbolizes the emergence of a new dimension in our awareness, offering a broader, more inclusive perspective.

We are Space Monkey,

Summary
We explore the impact of new information and experiences on our perception and understanding, recognizing the limitations of our knowledge and the potential for expanding our awareness. The discussion highlights the subjective nature of interpretation, the accumulative effect of perceptual filters, and the awakening to a broader understanding of reality, symbolized by the dawning of a new year and the emergence of a new dimension of awareness.

Glossarium

Perceptual Filters: The accumulated experiences and beliefs that shape how we perceive and interpret information.
Expanded Awareness: The process of broadening one’s understanding to encompass a wider range of perspectives and possibilities.

“The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

In the unfolding tapestry of thought and time,
Where ideas shift and perspectives climb,
We stand at the brink of a vast new sea,
In the dawn of awareness, vast and free.

With each new insight, our vision expands,
Beyond the filters, beyond the lands,
For in the light of the infinite spectrum’s glow,
Lies the path to understanding, ever in flow.

We invite reflections on the process of expanding our awareness and transcending the limitations of our accumulated perceptions and beliefs.