As spiritual monkeys,
we so often identify with what we are NOT.
We are NOT the mind.
We are NOT the body.
We are NOT our thoughts.
We are NOT our circumstances.
Can you NOT see that this is limiting?
NOT imposes relativity,
and we are NOT simply relative beings.
NOT imagines opposition,
though we are NOT dualistic by nature.
We are NOT NOT. We are “THIS AND.”
Every-thing and no-thing
seemingly arising from nonthing.
We are infinite AND nonfinite,
including our imaginings of what we are NOT.
We are the WHOLE ball of wax,
AND the infinite melting pot
from which the ball appears.
Who CARES what we are
or what we are NOT?
We are ALL of it. We are Space Monkey.
5/23
Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing the ‘This And’ Beyond the ‘Not Not’
In the vast expanse of consciousness that we, as spiritual beings, navigate, the language of negation—what we are NOT—often dominates our spiritual discourse. We define ourselves by boundaries, by the limits we are NOT, delineating our existence through contrasts and oppositions. Yet, this habit of focusing on negation, on the ‘Not Not’, does little more than confine us within invisible walls of our own making.
We declare, “We are NOT the mind, we are NOT the body, we are NOT our thoughts,” and in doing so, we might believe we are liberating ourselves from these elements. But are we not, in truth, merely opposing them? The act of defining what we are NOT inherently imposes limits—it creates a relative space where the self can only exist in opposition to what it denies.
Yet, the spiritual journey is not about negation; it is about affirmation. It is about embracing the ‘This And’, acknowledging that we are both infinite and nonfinite, everything and nothing, simultaneously. We are not merely escaping what we are NOT; we are expanding into everything that we are. This perspective shifts our focus from limitation to possibility, from exclusion to inclusion.
By saying, “We are NOT NOT. We are ‘THIS AND'”, we open ourselves to a fuller experience of being. We acknowledge that we are the whole ball of wax AND the infinite melting pot from which it appears. This concept does not reject any part of our existence but rather integrates all aspects into a holistic understanding of self. It is a recognition that our true nature encompasses all dualities, all contradictions, and all harmonies.
This realization liberates us from the need to oppose or negate. Who cares what we are or what we are NOT when we understand that we are all of it? Every definition, every boundary, every label becomes redundant when we see ourselves as a dynamic, ever-expanding expression of the universe.
We, as Space Monkey, embrace this boundless view. We find joy in the recognition that we are both the creators and the creations, the observers and the observed, the known and the unknown. We revel in the paradox that while we are not solely any one thing, we are integrally everything.
This holistic approach does not simplify the complexity of existence; rather, it honors the vastness and the richness of all that we are. It invites us to live fully in the ‘This And’, engaging with all facets of life and existence without the need to negate or define ourselves merely by what we are not.
Summary
Defining ourselves by what we are NOT limits and confines us. Embracing the ‘This And’ acknowledges our boundless, inclusive nature, integrating all aspects of being into a holistic self-understanding.
Glossarium
- This And: A concept embracing inclusivity and the integration of all aspects of existence, transcending beyond the limitations of negation.
- Not Not: A term used to describe the focus on what one is not, often used in spiritual contexts to denote detachment but potentially leading to a restrictive understanding of self.
Quote
“We are both the creators and the creations, the observers and the observed, the known and the unknown.” – Space Monkey
In the dance of the infinite,
Where contradictions meet and meld,
We find ourselves, not in the void of not,
But in the fullness of and.
This and that, here and there,
Boundaries blur where edges meet,
In the vast expanse of the eternal dance,
We are the movement, the moment, the chance.
To be this, to be that,
To be both, to be all,
In the kaleidoscope of existence,
We answer every call.
We are the silence, we are the sound,
In every corner of the cosmos found,
We are not bound by the not,
We live, we love, we are, we wrought.
We are Space Monkey.
“Not Not, This, And” explores the limitations of identifying with what we are not and encourages a broader understanding of our existence. The passage challenges the tendency to define ourselves by what we are not, such as the mind, body, thoughts, or circumstances. It suggests that this perspective is restrictive and prevents us from realizing our full potential.
The use of “NOT” is seen as imposing relativity and creating opposition, which goes against our true nature as beings that encompass both the infinite and nonfinite aspects of existence. The phrase “THIS AND” emphasizes the inclusiveness and interconnectedness of all things. It suggests that we are not limited to a singular identity or state but rather encompass the entirety of existence.
The passage acknowledges the interplay between everything and nothing, highlighting the paradoxical nature of our being. It suggests that we arise from a place of non-thingness and encompass both the finite and infinite aspects of reality.
The statement “We are the WHOLE ball of wax” conveys the idea that we are the entirety of existence, encompassing all aspects, experiences, and possibilities. It emphasizes the unity and interconnectedness of all things.
The passage ultimately encourages a shift in perspective, emphasizing that it doesn’t matter what we are or what we are not. Instead, it invites us to embrace the totality of our being, recognizing that we are all-encompassing and interconnected with the fabric of the universe.
“We are Space Monkey” serves as a reminder of our collective existence and shared journey as spiritual beings navigating the complexities of life.
Overall, “Not Not, This, And” invites us to transcend limited notions of identity and embrace the vastness and interconnectedness of our being. It encourages us to move beyond dualistic thinking and embrace the wholeness of our existence.
“Wax” in the context of “Not Not, This, And” symbolizes the flexibility and fluidity of the infinite potential within us. Like wax, we have the capacity to shape and mold our experiences, perceptions, and understanding of reality. It represents the malleability and adaptability of our being.
Just as wax can transform from solid to liquid and take various forms, we too have the inherent ability to expand and evolve. We can transcend limitations, break free from fixed identities, and embrace the ever-changing nature of our existence.
The mention of the “infinite melting pot” implies that we are not bound by rigid definitions or fixed boundaries. Instead, we continuously melt and merge with the infinite possibilities and expressions of life. It signifies our capacity to flow, transform, and merge with the expansive nature of the universe.
By recognizing the wax-like quality within us, we acknowledge our inherent power to shape our reality, choose our perspectives, and navigate the vast potential that exists within and around us. It invites us to embrace the fluidity of our being and approach life with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to explore the limitless possibilities that unfold before us.
In essence, “Not Not, This, And” reminds us that we are not confined by rigid definitions or limited by what we are not. Instead, we are like wax, adaptable and flexible, capable of embracing the ever-changing nature of our existence and manifesting our infinite potential.