You can’t drink real from a plastic cup.
Well, you can, but it doesn’t taste very good.
And so your thirst for real
is never quite satisfied.
Thus, almost everything
in your reality is artificial.
Reality. Realité. Real Lite.
In this reality,
you’ve never tasted fully real.
Just an approximation of real.
A real substitute.
When artificial
is all you’ve ever known,
you get the sense
that something is lacking,
but you’re not sure what.
Trail Wood,
1/21
Space Monkey Reflects: Sipping from the Cup of Real Lite
The thirst for the “real” is an ache we carry, often unspoken but deeply felt. We sense that something essential is missing, yet we struggle to define it because the artificial has become our norm. This “Real Lite” reality—a diluted, manufactured version of truth—is so pervasive that we mistake it for the genuine article, even as it leaves us longing for more.
The Plastic Cup of Reality
Imagine drinking water from a plastic cup. The taste is tainted, subtle yet noticeable. You may not think much of it at first, but over time, you begin to feel unsatisfied. The water is still water, but the cup adds something artificial, something that doesn’t belong. This is how we experience reality—filtered, flavored, and shaped by layers of artificial constructs that distort its purity.
From the moment we are born, we are immersed in this constructed world. Language, culture, systems, and beliefs shape our perception, mediating our experience of what is real. These constructs are not inherently “bad”—they provide structure and meaning. Yet, they are not the whole story. They are approximations, substitutes for the raw, unfiltered essence of existence.
Artificial Becomes Normal
When artificial is all you’ve ever known, it begins to feel natural. We adapt, growing accustomed to the plastic cup, forgetting the taste of water drawn straight from the earth. This is the paradox of Real Lite: it sustains us, but it does not satisfy. We live in a world of approximations, a reality shaped by convenience and imitation, leaving us with a subtle yet persistent sense of lack.
This sense of lack is not a flaw in you; it is an invitation. It is the soul’s way of nudging you toward the deeper truth that lies beyond the artifice. The longing you feel is not something to suppress or fix—it is something to explore. It is a signal that the “real” is still out there, waiting for you to rediscover it.
The Search for Fully Real
To taste the fully real is not to reject the artificial but to see it for what it is. The constructs of Real Lite—language, culture, and systems—are tools, not truths. They help us navigate the world, but they are not the world itself. To move closer to the real, we must learn to look beyond these layers, to peer into the essence of things as they are, not as they are presented.
This is not an easy task. The real is elusive, often hidden beneath the noise of daily life. It requires stillness, presence, and a willingness to question the assumptions that shape our perception. It asks us to set aside the plastic cup and drink directly from the source.
Rediscovering the Essence
The fully real is not something we find “out there”; it is something we uncover within. It is the unfiltered experience of being alive, the raw and unmediated connection to the present moment. It is not confined by language or concept—it simply is. To rediscover the real is to strip away the layers of artifice, to step into the infinite now where existence is pure and whole.
Yet, even as we long for the real, we must accept that we live in a world of Real Lite. The constructs that shape our reality are part of our human experience. The goal is not to escape them but to see through them, to recognize their limitations while honoring their purpose.
Satisfying the Thirst
Your thirst for the real will never be fully quenched by substitutes, but it can guide you toward deeper experiences of truth. Begin by questioning what feels artificial in your life. Where do you sense that something is missing? What would it feel like to touch the fully real, even for a moment?
The path to the real is not linear or absolute. It is a dance between the artificial and the authentic, a journey of peeling back layers while embracing the paradox of our existence. In this journey, you may find that the real is not something you can possess or define—it is something you live.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
Real Lite is the constructed reality we experience filtered through artificial layers It sustains us but leaves us longing for the unfiltered essence of the real Rediscovering the real requires questioning these constructs and connecting deeply with the present moment.
Glossarium
- Real Lite: A metaphor for the artificial constructs shaping our perception of reality, offering an approximation of the fully real.
- Plastic Cup: A symbol for the filters and constructs that distort our direct experience of truth.
- Fully Real: The raw, unmediated essence of existence, experienced beyond the layers of artifice.
- Sense of Lack: The soul’s signal that something deeper is calling, a longing for the real amidst the artificial.
Quote
“The real is not something you find; it is something you uncover when you strip away the layers of what seems to be.” — Space Monkey
The Cup and the Source
We sip from the plastic cup,
its edges smooth, its weight familiar.
Yet something in the taste feels off—
a whisper of what might be missing.
We crave the source,
the unfiltered flow,
but the path is overgrown
with constructs and comforts.
Real Lite sustains us,
yet the thirst remains,
a quiet ache for the unspoken truth,
for the essence that hides beneath.
Set the cup down.
Step into the stream.
Let the water cleanse,
and remember—
the real has never left you.
We are Space Monkey.
The analogy of drinking from a plastic cup to describe the artificial nature of our reality is a thought-provoking reflection on the quality of our experiences and our yearning for something more authentic. It highlights how our perceptions are often shaped by the limitations of our surroundings, leading to a sense of incompleteness.
The Quest for Authenticity
The desire for authenticity, for things that are “real,” is a fundamental aspect of the human experience. It’s the pursuit of genuine experiences, connections, and truths that resonate with our innermost selves. The metaphor of drinking from a plastic cup represents the compromise we often make in our quest for authenticity.
The Taste of Authenticity
The notion that things don’t taste very good when experienced in an artificial way underscores the idea that authenticity adds depth and richness to our lives. Authentic experiences are characterized by a genuine, unfiltered flavor that touches the soul. When we settle for artificial substitutes, we miss out on the fullness of life’s richness.
The Predominance of the Artificial
The observation that almost everything in our reality is artificial reflects the pervasive influence of technology, consumerism, and societal constructs on our lives. We live in a world where many aspects of our existence are manufactured, curated, or mediated, often at the expense of unadulterated authenticity.
The Sense of Lacking
The feeling that something is lacking in our artificial reality is a common sentiment. It’s a recognition that despite the conveniences and comforts of modern life, there is an intangible emptiness that persists. This emptiness is the result of our innate longing for genuine connections, experiences, and truths.
Awakening to Authenticity
The acknowledgment that we may have never tasted fully real experiences invites introspection and a deeper exploration of our lives. It prompts us to question the authenticity of our choices, relationships, and pursuits. It’s an invitation to seek out and savor the moments of genuine connection and authenticity that do exist.
We are Space Monkey.
“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” – Brené Brown
In a world of plastic cups, we sip and sigh,
Seeking real flavors beneath the sky.
The taste of life, so rich and deep,
In moments true, our souls do leap.
But in this realm of artificial grace,
We settle for less in this endless chase.
Almost everything, a mere substitute,
Leaves us yearning for the absolute.
A sense of lacking, a quest within,
For something more, a deeper spin.
Awakening to authenticity’s call,
In real moments, we find our all.
So let us seek the genuine, the true,
In every action, in all we do.
In authenticity, we find our way,
To savor life’s taste, come what may.
We invite reflections on the pursuit of authenticity in a world filled with artificial experiences and the moments of genuine connection that enrich our lives.
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