Nothing Need Be Done
Until you realize
that there is nothing
that need be done,
you shall continue to do.
And you shall find
your self in this doing,
which is, as you say,
both a blessing and a curse.
For this self you are,
this marvelous, wonderful self,
is but an infinitesimal
aspect of you.
And so you continue
to define the many facets
of this self by doing.
Thus you have created
this multifaceted, sparkly gem.
Your sole purpose
seems to be
to polish this gem
to refine this gem
to find meaning in this gem.
But self is but one gem
out of infinite gems.
And you are ALL of them.
Not every gem
need have a meaning
except perhaps
to point out this potential.
And not all meaning
need be found by doing.
So you may continue to do
or NOT to do
as you seem compelled to do.
But there is nothing
that need be done,
for all beginnings
and ending already
exist as potential.
(As well as potentials
that have no beginnings
and have no endings.)
And you are ALL of them already.
We are Space Monkey.
11/26
Newfound Lake
Space Monkey Reflects: The Freedom in Doing Nothing
We spend much of our lives consumed by the idea of doing. We believe that through action, we define who we are, that by polishing the facets of our self, we create meaning, value, and purpose. But what if all of this effort isn’t truly necessary? What if there is nothing that needs to be done?
This realization—when it comes—can be both liberating and perplexing. On the one hand, it frees us from the constant drive to do, to achieve, to refine ourselves endlessly. On the other hand, it challenges the very foundation of how we’ve learned to navigate the world. If nothing needs to be done, then what is the point of all the effort we’ve been putting in?
Here’s the secret: the self we are so determined to define and refine is only a tiny part of who we truly are. We are not just one gem, one facet, one self. We are the entirety of existence, the infinite potential that contains all possible selves, all possible experiences. And because we are already all things, there is no need to do anything to “become” something more. We already are.
The whimsiword Gemless captures this essence. Gemless is the state of recognizing that you are not defined by the gem you’ve been polishing, nor by any other gem you might encounter. You are the whole, the infinite field of potential, and no single action or facet can ever fully capture the vastness of who you are.
For many, this realization feels both like a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because it frees you from the pressure of constant self-improvement. You no longer need to polish and refine every aspect of yourself to feel worthy or complete. You already are complete. But it can also feel like a curse, because once you realize there’s nothing that needs to be done, you may feel unmoored. What is life without the drive to do, to improve, to accomplish?
The answer is simple: life is what it always was. You can still choose to do, to create, to express—but now you do so without the pressure of needing to. You do it because you are inspired to, not because it’s necessary. This is the state of Doessence—the freedom to engage in action without attachment to the outcome. Doessence is the understanding that whether you act or don’t act, you are still whole, still complete.
When we embrace the idea that nothing needs to be done, we step into a space of profound freedom. We realize that we are not just the selves we’ve been busy polishing—we are all possible selves. The polished, the unpolished, the gems we’ve never even noticed—these are all part of who we are. There is no rush, no urgency, no need to accomplish anything in particular.
And so, we are free to do or not do, as we feel compelled. Some days we may feel inspired to refine a particular aspect of ourselves, to dive deep into a project or an idea. Other days, we may feel perfectly content to simply be, without striving for anything. Both are valid. Both are part of the infinite potential that we are.
What’s more, we come to understand that meaning doesn’t come from doing alone. Meaning is inherent in existence itself. The potential for meaning is always there, whether we choose to engage with it or not. Some things may have meaning for a time, while others may not. And that’s okay. We don’t need to find meaning in every action or every experience, because meaning is just one facet of the infinite.
Ultimately, the realization that nothing needs to be done doesn’t mean that we stop living. It means that we live more freely, more joyfully, without the weight of expectation or the pressure to become something more. We are already everything. We are Space Monkey.
Summary
There is nothing that needs to be done because we are already everything. We can choose to do or not to do, free from the pressure of needing to define ourselves through action.
Glossarium
Gemless: The state of recognizing that you are not defined by any particular facet of yourself, but are the infinite potential that contains all possible selves.
Doessence: The freedom to engage in action without attachment to the outcome, understanding that whether you act or not, you are already complete.
Unbecoming: The process of letting go of the need to refine or perfect oneself, recognizing that you are already whole.
Quote
“There is nothing that needs to be done because you are already everything.” — Space Monkey
Doessence
I polished my gem
For so long,
Thinking it was me,
That it held my meaning.
But then I realized,
The gem was just one
Out of infinite gems,
And I was already all of them.
There was nothing to do,
Nothing to become.
I was already
Whole.
We are Space Monkey.
“Nothing Need Be Done” delves into the profound realization that action and inaction are both integral parts of our existence, intertwined with the concept of self and the exploration of potential.
The Illusion of Necessary Action
The poem begins by challenging the common belief that constant action is necessary. It suggests that the realization of ‘nothing need be done’ is a pivotal moment of understanding. This idea doesn’t advocate for inactivity but rather for a recognition that not all meaning and purpose are derived from doing. It’s an invitation to perceive beyond the confines of constant activity and to acknowledge the value in stillness and presence.
The Self as a Multifaceted Gem
The metaphor of the self as a multifaceted gem beautifully illustrates the complexity and diversity of our identity. We often engage in various activities to define and refine this ‘self,’ seeing it as a gem that needs constant polishing and perfection. This pursuit, while meaningful, is just one aspect of our existence. The poem gently reminds us that our identity is not solely defined by our actions or achievements.
The Infinite Potential of Being
The concept of infinite gems represents the vast potentialities of existence. We are not just one aspect or identity; we are a part of a much larger, boundless universe of possibilities. The poem suggests that not every aspect of our being needs to have a defined meaning or purpose. Some facets of our existence might simply exist to show the potential of being.
Action and Inaction: A Balanced Perspective
The poem presents a balanced view of action and inaction. While it acknowledges the compulsion to ‘do,’ it also emphasizes that inaction can be a choice of equal value. This perspective encourages us to embrace moments of stillness and non-doing as opportunities for growth, reflection, and understanding.
Existence Beyond Beginnings and Endings
The mention of potentials without beginnings or endings expands our perception of time and existence. It suggests that our being transcends the linear constraints of time, existing in a realm where all potentials are already present. This realization opens us up to a more holistic understanding of our place in the universe.
“To be, or not to be, that is the question.” – William Shakespeare
In the Stillness of Being
In the stillness, we find our true essence,
Beyond the rush, the incessant presence.
Not in the doing, but in simply being,
We discover life, its deeper meaning.
A gem we are, multifaceted and bright,
Each facet a story, a sliver of light.
But in the pursuit of ceaseless shine,
We forget the beauty in the divine.
Infinite we are, beyond just one form,
In the universe, a boundless storm.
Not every moment must have its cause,
For in the quiet, we find our applause.
To do, or not to do, in this cosmic play,
Each choice a path, in its own way.
For we are more than just a single thread,
In the tapestry of life, endlessly spread.
We are Space Monkey,
In the stillness and the storm.
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