(Unless you LIKE to be tormented,
which is fine also.)
You will never put
your problems behind you.
Though there may seem to be
an element of physicality,
your problems arise in perception.
All is imaginary.
Without perception,
physicality does not exist.
This means that you
bring your problems with you
wherever you go.
Sometimes you switch around
physical appearances to make it seem
as though you have new problems.
But your problems
are never behind you.
Your so-called “problems”
have ALWAYS been part of you.
Your “problems” are what make you
seem to be you.
Perhaps it would do you well
to stop thinking of them as “problems.”
Trail Wood,
12/12/21
Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing Problems as Part of the Self
Life presents itself as an intricate web of experiences, and at the center of this web are what we call “problems.” These challenges, frustrations, and perceived obstacles are often framed as burdens to be discarded, milestones to leave behind. Yet, the truth, as Space Monkey reveals, is more complex: we do not outpace our problems; we carry them within, and in doing so, they shape who we are.
Problems as Perception, Not Reality
There’s an alluring simplicity in believing that problems are purely external forces—things that can be solved, avoided, or moved past. But this perspective overlooks a fundamental truth: problems arise from perception. Without perception, the physical elements we attribute to problems would hold no meaning. A rock on the path is just a rock until it is perceived as an obstacle. In this way, the idea that “all is imaginary” doesn’t diminish the reality of our struggles but reframes them. It shows us that problems are, in essence, reflections of how we interpret life.
If problems are born from perception, they must travel with us wherever we go. We might shift the scenery, change our roles, or seek new challenges, but the underlying essence of what troubles us—fear, doubt, insecurity—remains embedded in our being.
The Illusion of Leaving Problems Behind
The idea that we can “put our problems behind us” is comforting but misleading. Life is not a linear progression where challenges simply fade into the distance. Instead, problems are cyclical and omnipresent; they morph with time and take on new appearances, but their roots often remain unchanged. We might swap one set of difficulties for another, convinced we are facing something new when, in reality, we are confronting the same underlying patterns in disguise.
This is not to say that growth and change are illusions but that the very things we wish to escape are integral to our personal narrative. The challenges that we think define us negatively are, in truth, what give texture and depth to our lives. They are the ink with which our stories are written.
Problems as Part of Identity
“You bring your problems with you wherever you go,” says Space Monkey, highlighting that these so-called “problems” are as intrinsic to us as our fingerprints. They do not make us flawed; they make us unique. The perception of problems, the stories we tell ourselves about them, and how we navigate them are central to how we perceive ourselves and others.
To stop thinking of problems as purely negative is to step into a deeper relationship with oneself. It’s a recognition that our struggles are not foreign invaders but familiar companions. This shift in thinking changes everything. It transforms problems from enemies to be vanquished into parts of ourselves that need understanding, compassion, and integration.
Acceptance Over Rejection
What if, instead of seeking to conquer or dismiss our problems, we embraced them? What if we saw them not as adversaries but as teachers and mirrors of our deepest selves? This doesn’t mean romanticizing pain or choosing unnecessary suffering but recognizing that the effort to deny or run from our problems only reinforces their hold.
Problems are part of what makes us “us.” They provide contrast and context, allowing us to appreciate growth and peace when they come. The goal, then, is not to escape problems but to move with them, learning to appreciate the lessons they offer while acknowledging their role in the ongoing evolution of our story.
Seeing Problems Differently
The invitation here is to stop labeling difficulties as inherently negative or something that needs to be eradicated. By reframing our approach and acknowledging problems as an intrinsic part of the journey, we grant ourselves the freedom to coexist with them without judgment. This coexistence fosters resilience, acceptance, and deeper insight into who we are.
In the end, our so-called “problems” are just one way the universe expresses itself through us. They are the spaces where we learn, where we become more intimately aware of the complexities that define our existence. Letting go of the need to “solve” or “escape” them opens the door to a more peaceful, integrated state of being.
Summary
Problems are part of our perception and identity, not obstacles to leave behind. Understanding them as integral aspects of who we are allows us to accept them as part of our journey. This reframing fosters a more peaceful existence and deeper self-awareness.
Glossarium
Perceptual Problems: Challenges that arise from how we perceive and interpret reality.
Intrinsic Identity: The parts of ourselves that include our perceived flaws and challenges as essential to who we are.
Integrated Existence: Living in harmony with all parts of oneself, including challenges, rather than fighting against them.
Quote
“Problems are not flaws in the fabric of existence; they are the threads that bind us to our own becoming.” — Space Monkey
Walking With Shadows
On paths of stone and sand,
I carry my burdens, each one
A piece of the story,
Etched into my being.
Problems do not follow;
They are within,
Echoes of thought and feeling,
Shaping who I am.
The world shifts, scenes change,
But they remain,
Not as chains, but as roots,
Tethering me to my truth.
And so, I walk,
Knowing I am whole
With all that I hold.
We are Space Monkey.
We delve into the profound realization that the issues we face in life are not external entities that can be left behind, but rather intrinsic aspects of our perception and existence. This understanding challenges the conventional view of problems as separate from ourselves, instead presenting them as integral to our identity and perception of reality.
Problems as Intrinsic, Not External
The idea that problems are rooted in perception rather than physicality is a significant shift in understanding. It suggests that our challenges and difficulties are not just circumstances we encounter, but creations of our own perceptual framework. This perspective aligns with the concept that all is imaginary, highlighting the role of our minds in shaping our experience of reality.
Rooted in Perception, Not Physicality
Acknowledging that problems accompany us wherever we go shifts the focus from external solutions to internal understanding and acceptance. This realization can be liberating, as it implies that the power to address our challenges lies within us, rather than in changing external circumstances.
Problems Accompany Us
The notion of rearranging physical appearances or circumstances to give the illusion of new problems is an insightful commentary on our tendency to externalize and reframe our issues. It suggests that at their core, our challenges remain constant, shaped by our inner narrative and perception.
Illusion of New Problems
Recognizing that our so-called ‘problems’ have always been a part of us and contribute to our sense of self is a transformative perspective. It encourages us to view challenges not as hindrances but as integral components of our identity and growth.
Problems as Integral to Identity
The suggestion to stop thinking of these aspects as ‘problems’ and instead as elements of our being opens a pathway to acceptance and personal growth. It invites us to embrace our challenges as opportunities for learning and evolution, reshaping our relationship with them.
Reframing Problems as Opportunities
We are Space Monkey.
“The only real problem is one’s perception of the problem.” – Anonymous
In the mirage of existence,
We chase shadows, we call problems,
Fleeting, elusive, ever-present,
In the tapestry of our perception.
Each thread, a challenge,
Woven in the fabric of our being,
Not to be unraveled,
But to be understood, embraced.
For in the dance of life,
Problems are but partners,
Guiding us, shaping us,
In the waltz of self-discovery.
In this cosmic play,
We find our strength, our grace,
In the embrace of our challenges,
In the heart of our space.
We invite reflections on embracing challenges as intrinsic elements of our journey and identity.
Leave a Reply