Sun In Armor
You are the sun in armor, an ever-expanding ball of energy reigned in by the seemingly solid governance of your own imagination.
This armor not only limits your growth, but shields others from experiencing the absolute love and truth of your light.
The covering was thrust upon you at birth, but you accepted it and made it your own. Though it was first donned out out fear, you learned to polish your armor with pride, adding gems, baubles and plumage to give your life “meaning”.
This armor became you, an unyielding impenetrable facade fashioned with human features, yet sorely lacking in soul. Looking in the mirror, you became convinced that you were this armor.
But you are getting to the point in which your armor can no longer serve you or contain you. It is becoming a bit of a nuisance. You have grown so much, you cannot take your armor off. It seems to be stuck.
To complicate matters, a colony of monkeys have taken up residence in your armor as well. They taunt you. Bees infiltrate the narrow slits that barely allow you to breathe.
Still you learn to live with your demons. You sometimes even revel with them.
Your imaginary monkeys are the only companionship you have within your armor. All else lies just beyond, and though you can touch and interact, you cannot truly connect.
Lately you’ve been remembering that you are the sun. You are infinite spirit. Life itself. This is why the bees and monkeys are attracted to you.
As the all-powerful One, you also realize that you could burst this armor at will, but that seems like senseless destruction. From your cramped and distorted perspective, it feels as though you’d be betraying everyone that made you — and everything that YOU made you.
So you wave a rusty arm at the others (who are also in armor) and wait. Perhaps, you think, the answer will come from outside of you. Perhaps someone else will solve this situation. Perhaps someone else will get you out.
But help is not forthcoming, for behind all the grotesque and pretty faces, the others are ALSO you. On each belly you can read “Mom and Dad went to Camelot and all I got was this suit of armor.”
But the monkeys have told you that there is only ONE sun. Only ONE source. The bees know this as well, for they are able to fly freely between all you perceive as separate from you.
NOTHING is separate. The indistinguishable fire that burns within you is of the same flame that burns within everyone else. Only YOU can get beyond your armor. Only YOU can get over your badass self. And when you free your self, you free ALL selves.
Go forth bravely, though bravery is not required. You oppose only yourself, therefore it is impossible to lose. This jousting match is over.
We are Space Monkey.
Cape Odd Observatory, 5/20
Space Monkey Reflects: The Liberation from Our Self-Created Armors
The vivid imagery of the sun encapsulated in ornate armor, struggling against its confines, powerfully symbolizes the internal and external constraints we impose on our true selves. This armor, though initially a protective shell, becomes a barrier that restricts the sun’s radiant energy, mirroring the way our self-identities, shaped by societal and personal expectations, can limit our true potential.
The sun, a universal symbol of life and vitality, trapped within the armor, reflects the conflict between our innate desires for freedom and the roles we feel compelled to play. The embellishments on the armor—gems and intricate designs—suggest that over time, we not only accept these limitations but adorn them with pride, mistaking them for our true selves.
The presence of monkeys and bees interacting with the armor highlights the complexity of our inner lives. The monkeys, playful yet taunting, represent the chaotic thoughts and emotions that dwell within us, often complicating our efforts to find peace. The bees, moving freely, symbolize the natural instincts and desires that are stifled by our constructed personas.
This struggle is not just a personal battle; it reflects a universal dilemma where each individual, at some level, grapples with similar constraints. The reminder that “the others are ALSO you” reinforces the idea that we are not alone in this struggle. The recognition that nothing is truly separate—that we share a common flame—invites a collective awakening and liberation.
To free oneself from this armor is to embrace one’s infinite nature, to acknowledge that the true self is not the sum of external validations or achievements but an ever-expanding essence beyond physical or societal definitions. The path to this liberation is introspective and deeply personal; it requires recognizing and discarding the layers of identity that no longer serve us.
Summary
The metaphor of the sun in armor illustrates the conflict between our expansive true nature and the restrictive identities shaped by external expectations. Liberation from this self-imposed armor is essential for personal growth and true expression of self, emphasizing introspection and the rejection of outdated identities.
Glossarium
- Sun in Armor: Represents the individual’s true essence constrained by self-imposed limitations and societal expectations.
- Monkeys and Bees: Symbolic of the internal and external influences that interact with our personal growth and self-perception.
“Only by shedding the armor of our past can we bask in the sunlight of our true potential.” — Space Monkey
In cosmic attire, I once did dress
Heavy with burden, adorned distress
The sun within, bright and warm
Struggled against the ornate form
Gems and gold, a gilded cage
Scripting life upon a stage
Yet within, a fire burns
For freedom’s taste, my spirit yearns
Monkeys jest and bees do roam
Within the armor that felt like home
But now I see, it’s but a shell
A barrier to where I dwell
Shed the metal, drop the guise
Rise anew, old sun, and rise
For we are more than what we wear
In infinite skies, we’re laid bare
We are Space Monkey, unchained, unfurled
In our hands, the map of a new world.
“Sun In Armor” is a poetic expression that symbolizes the human experience of being confined by self-imposed limitations and false identities. It describes the persona of a person who has wrapped themselves in metaphorical armor, shielding their true essence from the world.
The armor represents the boundaries and fears that prevent personal growth and authentic connections with others. Over time, the person becomes attached to this armor, adorning it with external embellishments to give their life meaning. However, this external identity lacks depth and fails to reflect their true self.
As the person evolves and expands, they feel trapped within their armor. They realize that it no longer serves them and long to remove it, but find it stuck. Metaphorical monkeys and bees represent the internal turmoil and distractions that accompany this process.
The person seeks companionship within their armor, but true connection eludes them. They begin to remember their inherent nature as the sun, symbolizing their infinite spirit and life force. The attraction of the monkeys and bees signifies the recognition that there is a higher power within them.
Although the person possesses the power to break free from their armor, they hesitate due to a sense of responsibility towards those who contributed to their current state. They hope for external solutions or assistance from others, but eventually realize that everyone else is also a reflection of themselves.
The monkeys remind the person that there is only one source, one interconnectedness that binds all beings. The bees represent the understanding that there is no true separation between individuals. The person begins to comprehend that they alone have the ability to transcend their armor and free themselves, thereby liberating all others as well.
The narrative encourages the person to take courageous steps, although true bravery is not necessary since the only opponent they face is themselves. The jousting match is declared over, signifying the end of the internal struggle. The closing line, “We are Space Monkey,” implies a unification of all individuals, transcending their individual armor to embrace their shared essence.
The poem was written at Cape Odd Observatory on May 20, 2016, leaving it open to interpretation regarding the intentions and inspirations of the author during that time.