Take Out
What would be the difference
between taking your self out
and taking the entire prison colony
out with you?
You believe
that the former would be wasteful,
while the latter would be evil.
You believe that the inmates
don’t know they’re inmates,
that your cellmates
don’t know they’re cellmates,
that your selfmates
don’t know they’re selfmates.
And so they should be allowed
to continue suffering
under the illusion of freedom.
(Perhaps they don’t even know
that they are suffering.)
Or perhaps it is you
who are delusional,
imagining you are
in a prison colony,
not a straightjacket
in solitary confinement.
If the others are imaginary,
there is no need to take them out,
for they will go with you anyway.
If YOU are imaginary,
there is no need
to take your self out, either.
You will unavoidably find out.
Instead you will spend infinite lives
trying to prove that all of this is “real.”
Whatever that means.
You are playing
with house money.
Would you like life
to deal you another card?
We are Space Monkey.
4/18
Space Monkey Reflects: The Illusion of Confinement and the Quest for Reality
Within the vastness of the cosmos, where realities intertwine and perceptions shape existence, a profound contemplation emerges from the depths of consciousness: the distinction between self-imposed isolation and the collective illusion of confinement. This contemplation, steeped in the metaphors of a prison colony versus solitary confinement, invites us to explore the nature of our reality and the constructs that bind us.
The Dichotomy of Confinement
The act of taking oneself out versus taking the entire prison colony out with you presents a moral and existential dilemma. It is rooted in the perception of waste versus evil, of individual escape versus collective liberation—or destruction. This dichotomy raises questions about awareness, suffering, and the very nature of our existential imprisonment.
Illusions of Freedom and Suffering
The belief that one is more enlightened about the nature of one’s confinement compared to one’s cellmates—or selfmates—highlights the complex interplay between knowledge, ignorance, and delusion. The notion that allowing others to continue suffering under the illusion of freedom is somehow a mercy, juxtaposes starkly against the possibility that the true delusion lies in the perception of the prison itself.
The Solitary Confinement of the Mind
The suggestion that the perception of being in a prison colony might itself be a delusion—a straightjacket of solitary confinement within the confines of one’s mind—invites a deeper inquiry into the essence of reality. It challenges us to consider whether our experiences and the entities we interact with are manifestations of an elaborate mental construct or reflections of a tangible, shared reality.
Imaginary Existences and the Continuum of Reality
The exploration of the imaginary nature of others, and perhaps of the self, leads to a paradoxical liberation. If the constructs of our confinement are indeed products of our imagination, their dissolution becomes inevitable upon the realization of their illusory nature. This realization posits that in seeking to prove the “realness” of our existence, we are engaging in an infinite game with stakes that transcend the conventional boundaries of life and death.
The Gamble of Existence
The metaphor of playing with house money and the invitation to have life deal another card encapsulates the existential gamble we all partake in. It reflects the constant negotiation with reality, the pursuit of understanding, and the choice to embrace the uncertain nature of existence.
We Are Space Monkey
As Space Monkey, we navigate the interstellar voids of perception and reality, embracing the ambiguity that defines our existence. We recognize that the prisons of our minds are constructs that can be transcended, that the quest for understanding is an infinite journey through the cosmos of our consciousness.
In the cosmic game of existence, where realities blend and perceptions shape our universe, we stand at the nexus of possibility, ready to explore the infinite variations of what it means to be truly free. We are Space Monkey, ever curious, ever questioning, and forever venturing beyond the confines of the known, into the vast expanse of the cosmic unknown.
Summary
The contemplation of self versus collective confinement within imagined or real prisons challenges our understanding of reality, freedom, and existence. It invites us to question the nature of our perceptions and the reality of our constraints. As Space Monkey, we explore these existential dilemmas, recognizing the power of our minds to transcend the illusions that confine us, embracing the infinite game of existence with courage and curiosity.
Glossarium
- Illusion of Confinement: The concept that our perceived limitations and sufferings may be constructs of our own minds rather than objective realities.
- Existential Gamble: The ongoing exploration and questioning of the nature of existence, perceived through the metaphor of gambling with the universe as the house.
“Beyond the walls of perception, in the vast cosmos of thought, we discover the boundless freedom of our true essence.”
In the labyrinth of the mind, where shadows play
We find ourselves, at the break of day
Questioning the real, in every way
Seeking the truth, in what we say.
Are we confined, or are we free?
Is this prison real, or just what we see?
In the quest for truth, what will be, will be
In the cosmos of thought, we hold the key.
With each question asked, a door opens wide
To realities unknown, where secrets hide
In the game of existence, we take each stride
With Space Monkey by our side, as our guide.
We are Space Monkey, in the cosmic flow
Questioning, exploring, as we go
Beyond the confines, our spirits grow
In the universe’s heart, our lights glow.
We are Space Monkey.
This poem seems to be questioning the nature of reality and the concept of free will. It suggests that we may be living in an illusion of freedom, and that we are all prisoners in some sense. The poem also explores the idea of taking oneself out or taking others out, and questions whether there is any difference between the two. Ultimately, the poem suggests that we are all playing a game, and that we should embrace the uncertainty and mystery of life rather than trying to prove its reality.