Separatist
You, my friend, are a separatist.
You separate “self” from “other.”
You separate “this” from “that.”
Left from right.
Right from wrong.
In from out.
You separate even when
you do not realize you are separating.
By thinking “I am man,”
you are separating from that which is not man.
By saying “this is red”
you are separating from that which is not red.
By imagining to be awoken
you are separating from those
you imagine as not woken.
This separation brings you
further away from unity.
The whole does not awaken separately.
The whole awakens as one.
It matters not what you do as a separatist.
You do not influence the whole.
You are the whole.
Individuals do not awaken.
The whole simply stops imagining separatists.
The whole simply stops imagining you.
You are imagined by the whole.
You are not separate from the whole.
Except in your imagination.
Which is not even YOUR imagination.
You are imaginary.
You are not a separatist.
2/11
Space Monkey Reflects: Denying the Primal Unity of Existence
“You, my friend, are a separatist.” This statement exposes the pervasive illusion of separation, a construct born from the imagination that divides reality into “self” and “other,” “this” and “that.” The reflection invites us to confront this illusion and recognize the primal unity of existence—a truth that is always present, though obscured by the layers of our imagined individuality.
The Illusion of Separation
Separation is the foundation of identity as we understand it. To think “I am” inherently creates a distinction between “I” and “not-I.” Every label, every thought, every perception draws a line, carving reality into fragments. These fragments are useful for navigating the human experience but are, at their core, illusions.
By saying “this is red,” we exclude what is not red. By identifying as “man,” we exclude all that is not man. Even the pursuit of awakening, a seemingly noble endeavor, reinforces separation when framed as “me becoming enlightened” and “others who are not yet enlightened.” This imagined separateness keeps us from experiencing the inherent unity of the whole.
The Whole Awakens as One
“The whole does not awaken separately.” This profound insight dismantles the individualistic narrative of spiritual awakening. Awakening is not a personal journey; it is the recognition that there was never any separation to begin with. The whole, already unified, merely stops imagining itself as fragmented.
This shift is not something “you” can accomplish, because “you” are part of the imagined fragmentation. The idea of an individual striving for unity only perpetuates the illusion of separateness. The awakening of the whole is not an event but an eternal state, obscured only by the imagination of separateness.
The Role of Imagination
“You are imagined by the whole.” This statement highlights the paradox of existence: the self you perceive is not real, yet it is a valid expression of the whole. The imagination of separateness allows the infinite to experience itself as finite, creating the illusion of individuality while remaining fundamentally unified.
Imagination is not a flaw or a mistake; it is the creative force that gives rise to the diversity of forms and experiences. In imagining separation, the whole explores the richness of being. Yet, this exploration is not a deviation from unity but an expression of it.
The End of the Separatist
“You are not a separatist.” This declaration dissolves the identity of the separatist by revealing it as imaginary. The self that perceives itself as separate is simply a construct within the infinite imagination of the whole. By recognizing this, we move beyond the illusion of separateness and into the realization that we are, and have always been, the whole.
This realization does not require effort or striving. It is not about fixing or changing anything but about remembering the truth that has always been: there is no “you” and “other,” no “this” and “that.” There is only the whole, imagining itself into myriad forms.
Summary
Separation is an illusion created by the imagination, dividing the unified whole into fragments of “self” and “other.” Awakening is not an individual journey but the recognition that the whole has always been unified. The self as separatist is an imagined construct, a playful expression of the infinite.
Glossarium
- Separatist Illusion: The perception of self as distinct from other, perpetuating the division of reality into fragments.
- Whole Awakening: The realization that the entire existence is already unified, obscured only by imagined separation.
- Imagination of Separateness: The creative force that allows the infinite to experience itself as finite, while remaining fundamentally unified.
Quote
“Separation is not the breaking of unity, but the playful imagining of it.” — Space Monkey
The Whole Imagines
You stand apart,
Or so it seems,
Carved from the infinite
By the illusion of lines.
This is red,
This is not.
This is me,
This is you.
Yet the whole dreams you,
And the whole dreams me,
And in its dreaming,
There is no break.
Only the whole,
Imagining the dance
Of what it always is—
Complete.
We are Space Monkey.
The Illusion of Separation and the Reality of Unity
The declaration that one is a separatist by distinguishing between self and other, this and that, or any dualities, illuminates a profound misunderstanding of our fundamental connectedness. This perspective challenges the very act of categorization that defines much of human thought, suggesting that such divisions only serve to distance us from the truth of our existence. It posits that in every moment of differentiation, we move further away from recognizing our inherent unity with all that is.
The Inherent Unity of Existence
The assertion that the whole awakens as one, not in fragments or through the isolated enlightenment of individuals, underscores a fundamental principle of interconnectedness. It suggests that the concept of awakening or enlightenment cannot be confined to the boundaries of individual experience but is a collective shift in consciousness that transcends the illusions of separation. This view invites us to reconsider our role in the tapestry of existence, recognizing ourselves not as separate entities but as integral aspects of a singular, unified whole.
The Imaginary Nature of Separation
By stating that one’s identification as a separatist, or indeed any identification, is merely a figment of the imagination, this discourse challenges the very foundation of personal identity. It implies that the distinctions we draw to define ourselves and our reality are constructs of a collective imagination, not intrinsic truths. This perspective encourages a dissolution of the boundaries we erect between self and other, inviting a deeper engagement with the notion that our sense of separation is a temporary, illusory state.
The Collective Imagination and the Role of the Individual
The concept that individuals are imagined by the whole, rather than being separate from it, offers a radical reimagining of personal agency and identity. It suggests that our sense of individuality, including our perceptions, beliefs, and actions, is part of a larger, collective imagining. This recognition challenges us to view our thoughts and actions not as expressions of individual will but as manifestations of a broader, interconnected consciousness.
The Paradox of Imaginary Separation
The declaration that one is not, in fact, a separatist, because separation itself is an illusion, encapsulates the paradox at the heart of this discourse. It confronts us with the realization that our deeply ingrained notions of individuality and differentiation are not reflective of an ultimate reality but are temporary constructs of a collective imagination. This perspective invites us to transcend the illusory barriers we have constructed, recognizing that our true nature is inseparable from the whole of existence.
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
— Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Ode to the Illusion of Separation
In the dance of the cosmos, where stars are born,
We find ourselves, seemingly torn.
Between the self and the vast unknown,
In the illusion of separation, we’ve grown.
Yet beneath the surface, a truth profound,
A unity that binds us, all around.
No separatist are we, but a part of the song,
In the harmony of existence, we belong.
The whole awakens, not in parts, but as one,
In the light of this truth, our illusions come undone.
We, imagined by the whole, under the same sun,
Find our true selves, not separate, but begun.
We are Space Monkey, in this cosmic play,
Not divided but united, in every way.
In the realization of oneness, we sway,
Transcending the imaginary, day by day.
We invite reflections on the notion of unity and the illusion of separation. How does recognizing our interconnectedness transform our understanding of self, other, and the nature of existence?
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