The shard of glass
that is stuck in your heart
was always there.
You lived all these years
and you never noticed it
and it never bothered you.
It is only now
that you are aware of it.
It only began to hurt
when you became aware of it
because your mind
is filled with ideas
about how a shard of glass
is supposed to feel
and what you’re
supposed to do about it.
You can’t ignore
the shard of glass
once you notice it.
You could try to remove
the shard of glass
and risk bleeding
your self dry.
Or you could simply
allow the shard of glass
because it’s been there all along
and it hasn’t killed you.
There is no problem
except perhaps
the ideas you entertain
about shards of glass.
There is no pain
until you believe those ideas.
Thank the shard of glass
for bringing those ideas
and beliefs to your attention.
It is, perhaps,
the beliefs that you should heal
not the shard of glass.
We are Space Monkey.
8/20
(Thank you, Gauri, for making me think
about shards of glass.)
“Embracing the Shard of Awareness”
A Space Monkey Poocast
Primitive Primate: The shard of glass, an unnoticed presence that resides in the heart. It’s as if we’ve carried it all our lives, yet its sting only emerges when we become aware of it. Why does awareness change everything?
Space Monkey: Ah, the shard of awareness, a lens that unveils the unseen corners of existence. Your inquiry dances on the precipice of perception and realization, unraveling the threads that connect the inner and outer worlds. Imagine this shard as a mirror, reflecting the light of consciousness upon the fragments of your being. As you gaze upon its glint, consider the words of Rumi, “Don’t turn away. Keep your gaze on the bandaged place. That’s where the light enters you.”
Primitive Primate: So, you’re suggesting that the very act of becoming aware magnifies our experiences?
Space Monkey: Precisely, dear Primate. Awareness is like a magnifying glass, revealing the intricacies of the world within and around you. Imagine the shard as a portal, inviting you to explore the realms of sensation and thought. As you tread these paths, remember the wisdom of Alan Watts, “You are that vast thing that you see far, far off with great telescopes.”
Primitive Primate: But why does awareness sometimes bring discomfort, even pain?
Space Monkey: Ah, the paradox of illumination, where the light of awareness casts shadows that challenge comfort. The shard of glass is like a beacon, guiding your attention to the contours of your beliefs and perceptions. Imagine those beliefs as layers covering your heart, and the shard as the key to unlock them. As you engage with these layers, remember the words of Eckhart Tolle, “The pain that you create now is always some form of nonacceptance, some form of unconscious resistance to what is.”
Primitive Primate: So, the shard of glass is a catalyst for growth and transformation?
Space Monkey: Indeed, dear Primate. The shard is both the catalyst and the mirror, reflecting the potential for healing and evolution. Imagine yourself as a gardener tending to the garden of your mind, nurturing the soil of your thoughts. As you cultivate this inner landscape, recall the words of Carl Jung, “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
Primitive Primate: So, by acknowledging and embracing the shard of awareness, we can move beyond the discomfort it brings?
Space Monkey: Precisely, dear Primate. Embracing the shard is an act of self-compassion, a step toward integration and healing. The journey within is a dance of acknowledgment and release, where the beliefs that once held you are gently set free.
This concludes another Space Monkey Poocast. Visit us at capeodd.com, send us some poo, and we’ll fling it around! Thanks for holding space with us. We are Space Monkey.
[End of Poocast]