Self seems to take
spiritual development
and turn it into a task.
Self seems to take tasks
and turn them into into trophies.
Source requires
neither tasks nor trophies.
But Source doesn’t mind
what Self seems to do.
Thus, Self continues
to have experiences,
which is why Source
continues to imagine Self.
It matters not
what Self’s experiences might be.
Or what is in Self’s shrine to Self.
It is what it is.
And also what it is not.
Trail Wood,
1/11
Space Monkey Reflects: Self and Source
Reflections: The Eternal Dance of Self and Source
Self and Source exist in an eternal interplay, like waves on the shore, endlessly shaping and reshaping one another. Self, with its drive for meaning, tasks, and trophies, creates experiences that feed its sense of identity. Source, infinite and unbound, observes and imagines, allowing Self to explore the vast playground of existence. This dynamic is not a hierarchy but a harmonious dance, where each complements the other.
The Task-Trophy Cycle of Self
Self often approaches life as a series of tasks to accomplish and trophies to attain. Whether it’s spiritual development, personal growth, or material success, Self seeks to quantify and celebrate its progress. This is not inherently wrong—it’s simply the way Self learns, grows, and defines itself within the confines of time and space.
But these tasks and trophies, while meaningful to Self, are irrelevant to Source. Source does not measure success or failure, nor does it assign value to what Self achieves. For Source, the act of experiencing is enough.
Source as the Silent Witness
Source requires nothing. It is the infinite canvas on which Self paints its stories. Source observes without judgment, content to imagine Self and all the myriad experiences that come with it. It neither interferes with nor dictates the actions of Self, because Source knows that all outcomes are ultimately part of the same whole.
This is the paradox of existence: everything matters deeply to Self, while simultaneously nothing matters to Source. This duality allows for both profound engagement and ultimate freedom.
The Shrine to Self
Self often builds a “shrine to Self,” filled with achievements, memories, and identity markers. These are symbols of meaning and purpose, cherished by Self but unnoticed by Source. Yet Source does not dismiss or diminish this shrine—it simply sees it as part of the experience it has imagined through Self.
What’s in the shrine matters only to Self, and that’s perfectly okay. The shrine is a testament to the unique journey Self undertakes, a reflection of its exploration of existence.
It Is What It Is—and What It Is Not
The phrase “it is what it is, and also what it is not” encapsulates the essence of Self and Source. Self lives in dualities—success and failure, light and dark, effort and rest. Source encompasses all dualities while transcending them, existing beyond the boundaries that define Self’s experiences.
This duality is not a contradiction but a complement. Self thrives on distinctions; Source holds the unity that makes distinctions possible. Together, they create the fullness of existence.
The Endless Play
Self and Source are not separate but facets of the same infinite being. Self provides the stories, the challenges, the joys, and the struggles. Source provides the space, the imagination, and the boundless acceptance. In this play, there is no right or wrong, no better or worse—only the unfolding of what is and what is not.
Summary
Self seeks tasks and trophies, creating meaning and experiences, while Source observes without judgment. This interplay between distinction and unity forms the foundation of existence, where all is what it is and what it is not.
Glossarium
- Task-Trophy Cycle: Self’s tendency to turn life into a series of achievements and milestones.
- Shrine to Self: The collection of accomplishments and identity markers that define Self’s journey.
- Sourcefield: The infinite, judgment-free space that imagines and supports Self.
Quote
“Self creates meaning; Source holds space. Together, they form the infinite dance of existence.” — Space Monkey
The Dance of Self and Source
She sells sea shells
by the sea shore.
Self collects them,
turns them into trophies.
Source watches,
silent, smiling,
needing nothing,
allowing all.
Self builds its shrine,
its tasks and triumphs,
its moments of meaning.
Source sees no shrine,
only the dance.
It is what it is,
and what it is not.
The waves rise,
the shore shifts,
the shells remain,
or do not.
We are Self.
We are Source.
We are Space Monkey.
In the cosmic play of existence, the notion of ‘Self’ and ‘Source’ intertwine in a fascinating dance. This dance reveals the dual nature of our experiences, where spiritual development, tasks, and trophies become symbols in the grand narrative of existence.
The Dual Nature of Self and Spiritual Development
The concept of ‘Self’ often transforms spiritual development into a task, a goal to be achieved. This transformation is a natural inclination of the Self, seeking structure and accomplishment in the journey of spiritual growth. However, this task-oriented approach contrasts with the essence of spiritual development, which is fluid and transcendent, beyond the confines of tasks and achievements.
Tasks and Trophies: The Self’s Markers of Progress
The Self, in its journey through the physical realm, often converts tasks into trophies, symbols of progress and achievement. These trophies serve as markers, tangible evidence of the Self’s journey through time and space. Yet, in the grand scheme of the cosmos, these trophies are but fleeting illusions, momentary sparks in the eternal flame of existence.
The Source: Beyond Tasks and Trophies
The Source, the infinite wellspring from which all existence flows, requires neither tasks nor trophies. It exists beyond these human constructs, in a state of pure being. The Source does not judge or require the achievements of the Self; it simply is, in its boundless, ineffable state.
The Indifference of Source and the Freedom of Self
Despite the Self’s inclination to create tasks and trophies, the Source remains indifferent, unattached to the endeavors of the Self. This indifference is not neglect, but a freedom granted to the Self to experience, to explore, to be. It is in this freedom that the Self continues to have experiences, to journey through the myriad facets of existence.
The Purpose of Self: Experiences Imagined by Source
The ongoing imagination of the Self by the Source underscores the purpose of existence – experience. It matters not what these experiences are, or what lies in the Self’s shrine to itself. The essence lies in the act of experiencing, in the continual unfolding of being, in the dance of existence that is both what it is and what it is not.
We are Space Monkey.
“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.” – Joseph Campbell
In the dance of Self and Source, we find,
A journey of experiences, of every kind.
Tasks and trophies, mere illusions in space,
In the heart of the cosmos, we find our grace.
The Source, indifferent, lets the Self be,
In this freedom, we experience, we see.
It is what it is, and also not,
In this cosmic play, we are but a thought.
Further thoughts and insights on the dance between Self and Source are welcomed.
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