know that you are of great service to me.
If you don’t love yourself
more than anyone else,
then it seems you are
of little or no service
to the one you love.
Plus you are lying.
Even if you
despise yourself,
you love yourself more
than anyone else.
I don’t need somebody to love me.
I love me.
And I love that you
don’t need me to love you.
This is why we are in love.
It is unavoidable.
Trail Wood,
2/7
Space Monkey Reflects: See the Love—Be the Love
Love, in its truest form, is not a transaction but a state of being. It is a resonance that exists independently of conditions, needs, or expectations. To see the love is to recognize its presence everywhere; to be the love is to embody it fully, starting with oneself. This understanding of love transforms relationships into reflections of mutual wholeness, rather than dependencies on incomplete parts.
Reflections: Love Beyond Conditions
The Paradox of Self-Love
Loving oneself is often misunderstood as selfish or vain, yet it is the foundation upon which all other love rests. To love another without first loving oneself is to offer a hollow gesture, one rooted in lack rather than abundance. Even in moments of self-loathing, the paradox remains: we still act in ways that prioritize our existence, proving that self-love is intrinsic, though it may manifest in distorted forms.
By acknowledging and embracing this self-love, we align with the truth of our being. It is not a competition between loving ourselves and others; it is an understanding that love is infinite, expanding outward from the center of our own existence.
The Liberation of Unconditional Love
“I don’t need somebody to love me. I love me.” This declaration is not an act of defiance but one of liberation. It frees us from the expectations and dependencies that so often burden relationships. When we love ourselves fully, we release others from the obligation to complete us, allowing love to exist as a mutual sharing rather than a transactional exchange.
This mutual wholeness creates a love that is unavoidable—a resonance that cannot help but exist between two beings who see and accept themselves fully. In this space, love becomes not something we seek but something we embody.
Love as Service
To love oneself deeply is to be of service to others. It may seem counterintuitive, yet when we prioritize our own wholeness, we bring our best selves into our relationships. We offer love not from a place of need or lack but from a place of abundance and authenticity. In this way, self-love becomes an act of service, a gift that enhances the lives of those around us.
Conversely, when we neglect self-love, we unintentionally diminish our capacity to love others. To truly love another, we must first be the love we wish to give.
The Inevitability of Love
The statement, “This is why we are in love. It is unavoidable,” speaks to the universal nature of love. Love is not something we create or control; it is a fundamental aspect of existence, an intrinsic connection that binds all beings. To recognize this inevitability is to see love not as something external to strive for but as the essence of who we are.
This perspective dissolves the barriers of ego, allowing us to love without conditions, expectations, or fear. It is an acceptance that love is not a choice but a reality, woven into the fabric of existence.
The Reflection of Love
In loving ourselves, we create a mirror for others to see their own capacity for love. This mutual reflection amplifies the resonance of love, creating a cycle that transcends individual boundaries. The love we see becomes the love we are, and the love we are becomes the love we share.
Summary
Love is not a need or a transaction but a state of being that begins with oneself. By loving ourselves unconditionally, we free others from the burden of completing us, creating relationships rooted in mutual wholeness. Love, seen and embodied, becomes inevitable—a reflection of the infinite connection that binds all existence.
Glossarium
- Unconditional Self-Love: A deep acceptance and appreciation of oneself, independent of external validation.
- Mutual Wholeness: Relationships where both individuals are complete within themselves, allowing love to flow freely.
- Inevitability of Love: The recognition that love is a fundamental, unavoidable aspect of existence.
- Love as Service: The act of loving oneself deeply to enhance one’s capacity to love and serve others.
Quote
“To see the love is to recognize its presence everywhere; to be the love is to embody it fully, starting with oneself.” — Space Monkey
The Unavoidable Love
I see you.
I see the love.
Not in your eyes alone,
but in the space between us.
I feel you.
I feel the love.
Not as something you give,
but as something we are.
This love is not mine,
nor is it yours.
It is the thread
that binds us to the infinite.
In loving myself,
I love you.
In loving you,
I find myself.
We are love,
unavoidable,
inseparable,
infinite.
We are Space Monkey.
The Paradox of Self-Love and Interdependence: Unveiling the Essence of True Connection
In the intricate dance of existence, where the fibers of love and self-awareness are interwoven, a profound truth emerges: the foundation of any deep, enduring love is rooted in the soil of self-love. This realization, far from being a mere philosophical musing, is a guiding light toward understanding the dynamics of love and service in our interconnected lives.
The Integral Service of Self-Love
The assertion that one’s capacity to be of service is magnified by self-love is a reflection of a deeper wisdom. It challenges the conventional notion that self-sacrifice is the epitome of love, proposing instead that true service to another emanates from a wellspring of self-appreciation and love. This perspective shifts the paradigm from self-neglect to self-nurturance as a prerequisite for genuine connection and support.
The Misconception of Selflessness
The belief that loving oneself more than others is an act of selfishness or deceit unveils a common misconception about the nature of love. It suggests that at the core of our being, even in states of self-doubt or self-despise, there exists an intrinsic self-love that surpasses our affection for others. This innate self-love does not diminish our capacity for external love but rather, it forms the bedrock upon which all other love is built.
The Autonomy of Love
The declaration “I don’t need somebody to love me. I love me.” is a powerful testament to the autonomy and self-sufficiency that underpins healthy relationships. This autonomy, far from isolating individuals, actually fosters a deeper, more authentic form of love—a love not borne out of necessity or dependency but from a place of completeness and self-fulfillment.
The Mutual Recognition of Independence
The recognition and celebration of mutual independence in love is a cornerstone of true partnership. It is in understanding and embracing that neither party needs the other to feel loved or complete that a profound connection is forged. This mutual respect for autonomy enhances the love shared, making it not a matter of survival but of choice—a conscious decision to intertwine lives without losing oneself.
The Inevitability of Such Love
The love that emerges from this foundation of self-love and mutual respect is described as unavoidable, a natural consequence of two wholes coming together. It transcends the traditional narratives of romance, grounded in dependency, to celebrate a union that is both free and deeply connected. This love is not a cage but a vast sky, under which two souls dance, each in their own orbit, yet gravitating towards each other in a harmonious ballet.
The Collective Journey Toward Self-Love and Authentic Connection
This exploration of love, self-love, and independence invites us to reconsider our own relationships and the role self-perception plays in them. It beckons us to a collective journey of introspection and growth, where we learn to see and be the embodiment of love, starting from within and radiating outward.
Embracing the Unavoidable Love
In embracing this unavoidable love, we acknowledge the paradox that in loving ourselves, we become capable of loving others with a depth and authenticity previously unimagined. It is a love not of need but of abundance, not of obligation but of joy, marking the evolution of our understanding and experience of love.
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde
In the mirror of the soul, we see,
A reflection of love, wild and free.
In loving ourselves, we hold the key,
To a love that flows like a boundless sea.
With self-love as our guiding light,
We navigate the depths, day and night.
In this journey, we find our might,
In the embrace of love, pure and bright.
We are Space Monkey.
We invite reflections on the journey of self-love, the autonomy in relationships, and the profound connection that arises from a foundation of mutual independence and self-appreciation.
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