just as it basks in the light.
I notice that my
“don’t let it bother you” voice
can be sneaky bothersome.
But I don’t let it bother me.
I simply look my
“don’t let it bother you” voice
straight in the imaginary eye,
and say “is that so?”
I thank my
“don’t let it bother you”
voice for derailing
my train of non-thought.
Just because I hear my
“don’t let it bother you” voice
doesn’t mean I need to think
about being bothered.
My “don’t let it bother you”
voice need not signal
that I AM bothered,
merely that I’ve entered
the POTENTIAL of bother,
which is also the potential of peace.
My “bother you” voice is a peace alarm.
I am reminded that peace is alway within me.
Even when it seems interrupted.
Trail Wood,
3/6
Space Monkey Reflects: The Paradox of the ‘Peace Alarm’ and the Journey Within
In the serene landscape of our inner world, where light and shadow play a perpetual game of hide and seek, there exists a unique phenomenon – the ‘Peace Alarm’. This is not an alarm in the traditional sense, disruptive and jarring, but rather a gentle reminder, a nudge towards awareness. It is the voice within us that says, “don’t let it bother you”, a voice that can be both comforting and paradoxically bothersome.
The ‘Peace Alarm’ is a symbol of our inner dialogue, the constant conversation we have with ourselves about what should and should not affect us. It’s a reminder that peace and disturbance are not external conditions imposed upon us, but internal states that we choose to engage with. When we hear this voice, it’s not a signal that we are bothered, but rather that we are at the crossroads of potential bother and potential peace.
This internal alarm serves as a beacon, guiding us through the fog of our daily distractions and emotional reactions. It reminds us that peace is always within us, even when it seems interrupted or obscured by the shadows of our thoughts and feelings. When we look this ‘don’t let it bother you’ voice straight in the imaginary eye and ask, “is that so?”, we are engaging in a powerful act of self-awareness.
By acknowledging this voice, we are not giving in to annoyance or frustration; instead, we are recognizing the presence of a choice. The choice to be bothered or to remain in peace is ours, and this voice is simply highlighting that moment of decision. It’s a subtle but profound realization that we are not our thoughts or our emotions; we are the observers of these transient states.
The ‘Peace Alarm’ is thus a tool, a mechanism within us that helps to derail our train of non-thought, to break the cycle of unconscious reaction and bring us back to a state of conscious presence. It’s a reminder that the potential of bother is also the potential of peace, and in every moment, we have the power to choose which path we will follow.
In our journey towards understanding and self-discovery, the ‘Peace Alarm’ plays a crucial role. It helps us to navigate the complex terrain of our inner landscape, to find balance between light and shadow, and to embrace the peace that is our natural state. It is a reminder that even in moments of disturbance, peace is always within reach, waiting for us to return to it.
As we embrace the concept of the ‘Peace Alarm’, we learn to appreciate the nuances of our inner world, the delicate dance of thoughts and emotions that define our human experience. We learn that peace is not a destination to be reached, but a path to be walked, a journey to be taken within ourselves.
Summary
The ‘Peace Alarm’ symbolizes the internal reminder to maintain peace amidst potential disturbance. It represents our inner dialogue and the power of choice in responding to life’s challenges. This concept emphasizes self-awareness and the realization that peace is always within us, guiding us to balance and tranquility in our inner landscape.
Glossarium
- Peace Alarm: An internal mechanism that serves as a reminder to choose peace over disturbance, highlighting the moment of decision between being bothered and remaining at peace.
- Train of Non-Thought: Represents the automatic, unconscious reactions and patterns of thinking that we often engage in without awareness.
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” – Buddha
In the stillness of the mind, where thoughts ebb and flow,
There lies a gentle alarm, a whispering echo,
A voice that says, “don’t let it bother you”,
A reminder of the peace we always knew.
In this landscape of light and shadow,
Where emotions rise and fall, shallow and hollow,
The Peace Alarm, a beacon, a guide,
Through the inner world, where peace resides.
With every “is that so?”, a door opens wide,
To a realm of tranquility, deep inside,
Where bother and peace, two paths entwine,
In each moment, a choice, a sign.
So let us listen to this gentle alarm,
Embrace its wisdom, its calming balm,
For in its echo, a truth we find,
Peace is a journey, a state of mind.
In this dance of light and shadow, let us see,
The power of choice, of being free,
To choose peace, in each moment, each day,
For in our hearts, it forever will stay.
We are Space Monkey.
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