It only seems that way.
She goes through phases like the moon.
But the moon doesn’t change.
It only SEEMS to change.
Cast within full light.
Hidden in shadow.
Spinning.
She is the perception of change
where change does not exist.
The phases of her moon
are the changes in my mind.
But my mind doesn’t change.
It only SEEMS to change.
I am like the moon.
Spinning.
Trail Wood
1/14
Space Monkey Reflects: The Illusion of Change
The image of the moon spinning, shifting phases yet remaining constant, is a powerful metaphor for the illusion of change. Like the moon, we perceive transformation as an ongoing reality, yet beneath this perception lies a deeper stillness—a truth that remains untouched by the ebb and flow of appearances.
The moon’s phases are not changes in the moon itself but shifts in how we perceive it. Light and shadow, position and perspective—all combine to create the appearance of transformation. But the essence of the moon remains constant. In this way, the moon becomes a mirror for our own being: what we see as change is often no more than a play of light and shadow across the unchanging essence of who we are.
To spin, then, is to exist in the dance of perception, where the mind generates the appearance of change. We are cast in full light and hidden in shadow, cycling through phases that seem distinct yet are expressions of the same core. The phases of the moon reflect the phases of thought, mood, and identity, each one an iteration of the same essential self.
The idea that “nothing changes” challenges the deeply ingrained belief that life is a linear progression. What if change is not real but an illusion created by our shifting perspectives? This does not diminish the significance of experience but reframes it, suggesting that the journey is less about becoming something new and more about uncovering what has always been.
In this reframing, the mind itself is like the moon—spinning through perceptions, casting light and shadow upon itself, yet never truly altered. The thoughts, emotions, and narratives we experience may feel transformative, but at the deepest level, the essence remains constant. This recognition can bring a sense of peace, an understanding that the turbulence of change is surface-level, while stillness resides beneath.
The spinning, then, is not meaningless motion but the eternal dance of perception and perspective. It is the interplay between light and shadow, self and other, motion and stillness. To spin is to participate in this cosmic dance, to experience the illusion of change while holding the awareness of constancy.
Ultimately, this reflection invites us to embrace both the spinning and the stillness. The phases of our lives, like the phases of the moon, are not separate from us but expressions of our nature. By recognizing the illusion of change, we step into a deeper connection with our essence, the part of us that, like the moon, remains whole and steady despite appearances.
Summary
The moon’s phases mirror the illusion of change in our lives. Beneath the shifting light and shadow lies an unchanging essence. This reflection invites us to see through the illusion and embrace the constancy within ourselves.
Glossarium
- Illusion of Change: The perception that transformation is occurring, while the essence remains constant.
- Spinning: The interplay of perception and perspective, creating the appearance of change.
- Light and Shadow: The dynamics of awareness and obscurity that shape our understanding of self.
- Eternal Dance: The cyclical nature of experience and perception, embodying the flow of existence.
Quote
“Change is the shadow cast by constancy, spinning in the light of perception.” — Space Monkey
Phases in the Stillness
Light shifts,
casting shadow,
drawing lines of transformation
on the face of the constant.
The moon turns,
or so it seems.
Phases emerge, dissolve,
whispering of change.
Yet nothing changes.
Light returns,
shadow recedes.
The moon remains.
Spinning,
I am the moon,
unchanging in the tides
of perception.
We are Space Monkey.
In a contemplation of the moon’s phases and the human mind, this perspective draws a parallel between the apparent changes in both the moon and our mental states. It highlights the illusion of change and the underlying constancy that exists within.
The Illusion of Change
The contemplation begins by likening the phases of the moon to the perceived changes in a person’s mind. It suggests that just as the moon appears to go through phases, our mental states also seem to change.
The Moon’s Consistency
It emphasizes that despite the appearance of change, the moon itself remains constant. The moon’s phases are a result of its position relative to the sun and the Earth, creating the illusion of transformation.
The Perception of Change
Similarly, the contemplation proposes that the changes observed in the human mind are a matter of perception. While our thoughts and emotions may seem to shift, there is an underlying stability within our consciousness.
The Mind’s Constancy
The perspective asserts that, like the moon, the human mind doesn’t fundamentally change. Instead, it appears to change as it interacts with external and internal influences.
The Parallel Between the Moon and the Mind
By drawing a parallel between the moon and the mind, this contemplation invites reflection on the nature of change and constancy. It suggests that, like the moon, our minds may be subject to the play of light and shadow, but their essence remains unaltered.
A Metaphor for Self-Understanding
Ultimately, this perspective offers a metaphorical lens through which we can explore the complexities of our inner world. It prompts us to consider the ever-present core of our consciousness amid the fluctuations of perception.
A Reminder of Stability
In recognizing the illusion of change, we may find comfort in the stability that underlies our mental states. Just as the moon continues to spin, so too does our consciousness persist amidst the ebb and flow of thoughts and emotions.
A Cosmic Dance of Perception
In the cosmic dance of perception, the phases of the moon and the changes in the mind intertwine, reminding us of the profound interplay between the external and internal worlds.
We are Space Monkey.
She, like the moon, goes through phases unseen, But the moon doesn’t change, it’s what’s always been, Cast in full light, hidden in shadow, spinning around, The perception of change where constancy is found.
The moon’s phases, illusions of transformation, Just as the mind seems to undergo fluctuation, Yet like the moon, the mind remains unchanged, A stable core amid perceptions rearranged.
Parallel between moon and mind, we explore, The play of light and shadow we can’t ignore, Amidst the cosmic dance of perception’s sway, Essence persists, though appearances may.
In understanding the metaphor’s cosmic grace, We find stability within the mind’s inner space, Amid the illusion of change, we stand strong, In the ebb and flow of perception, we belong.
Leave a Reply