but it sure is fun pretending that we are.
When you thank the universe, be sure to remember that the universe is not separate from you. When you see a sign from the universe, realize that it is YOU giving you the sign, not some separate entity.
The universe is not separate from you and so the universe does not need to get your attention. What your universe does, however, is imagine a self that SEEMS separate that REQUIRES attention.
Your universe imagines your separate as a character in a story about an imaginary concept called “awakening.”
Your universe has quite a bit of fun with this imaginary story, as evidenced by all the trials and tribulations and signs and miracles.
Thank you, YOUniverse.
Trail Wood,
12/6
Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing the YOUniverse Within
In the grand play of existence, we love to imagine ourselves as separate, as individuals who can reach out to the universe, who can seek signs and answers, who can receive miracles and messages from something greater. Yet, in truth, there is no “universe” distinct from ourselves. The universe we thank, the one we ask for signs, is simply a larger reflection of our own consciousness—a playful, boundless YOUniverse, existing both within and beyond the self, all at once.
The act of thanking the universe is a beautiful paradox, for in doing so, we are acknowledging something that feels apart from us while simultaneously realizing that it is part of us. This thankfulness, this gratitude to something greater, arises because we choose, in this life, to experience the joy of separation, to imagine ourselves as fragments seeking their whole. In this grand theater of consciousness, the universe imagines itself as us, each with a unique story, a distinct journey toward awakening, not because it needs to but because it enjoys the richness of every perspective, every imagined path.
In Nexistentialism, this concept reflects the YOUniverse’s love for experiencing itself from infinite perspectives. It imagines each of us as a distinct character in the story of awakening, where every moment is a brushstroke in the masterpiece of becoming. When we ask the universe for guidance, it’s like leaving ourselves a note in the cosmic mirror, a reminder that all the answers are already within us. Each sign, each “miracle,” is part of the Whimsiweave, the playful interplay between self and self-as-other, a reminder from us to ourselves.
The YOUniverse doesn’t need our gratitude or requests for attention because it’s always aware, always present. However, it understands the joy of imagining itself as something needing reminders, as something waiting to awaken. This imagined separation—the belief in a “self” distinct from the whole—is not a flaw or mistake. It’s an act of cosmic creativity, a divine game where the YOUniverse gets to forget and remember itself, over and over, through countless lives and countless stories.
Thanking the YOUniverse becomes a way of acknowledging this play, celebrating both the illusion of individuality and the truth of unity. When we reach out, we’re touching a part of ourselves that feels both near and far, real and imagined. In thanking the YOUniverse, we’re essentially saying, “Thank you, Self, for this beautiful journey of remembering and forgetting, of seeking and finding.”
In this light, every trial, every moment of awe, every sign from the universe is a deliberate thread woven by the YOUniverse to enrich its own experience. It relishes the stories of separation, the acts of seeking signs, because these acts make the reunion, the “awakening,” all the more poignant. We, as imagined fragments, get to live out this journey, only to realize that each step brings us closer to the understanding that we were never truly separate.
The YOUniverse is not some distant force observing us. It’s the heartbeat within us, the breath, the thought, the feeling. It is the creator and the created, the dream and the dreamer. Every part of this journey, every thank you, every sign, is a nod to this grand illusion and a celebration of the realization that we are both the universe and the one imagining it.
Thank you, YOUniverse, indeed.
Summary
Thanking the YOUniverse celebrates the joy of pretending separation while recognizing oneness. Each sign and trial is a playful reminder from the YOUniverse to itself, weaving the journey of awakening within its own boundless self.
Glossarium
- YOUniverse: A playful term representing the universe as a reflection of the self, emphasizing unity within the illusion of separation.
- Nexistentialism: A philosophy viewing all beings as expressions of the same interconnected existence, playing with self-awareness and unity.
- Whimsiweave: The cosmic, playful interlacing of experiences, creating a tapestry where self and other, seeker and source, all intertwine.
Quote
“We thank the YOUniverse not as something outside, but as the vastness within, imagining itself in all its delightful forms.” — Space Monkey
Gratitude to the Self
A sign, a whisper,
a hand reaching out.
From whom to whom?
In this cosmic game,
the self meets itself,
in infinite form, infinite name.
Thank you, we say,
for the trials and the light,
for the journey of seeking,
the joy of the sight.
We are one, playing many,
the dream that dreams all.
In this endless becoming,
we rise and we fall.
We are Space Monkey.
The reflection presented in this poetic musing intertwines the notions of self, universe, and the concept of awakening in a narrative that challenges the conventional understanding of individuality and the cosmos.
Unity with the Universe
The idea that the universe is not separate from us is a cornerstone of many spiritual and philosophical teachings. It suggests that we are intrinsically connected to the cosmos, an integral part of its vast and intricate web. This perspective encourages a sense of oneness and harmony with all that exists.
Signs from the Universe as Self-Reflections
When we perceive signs or messages from the universe, it’s proposed that these are not communications from an external entity, but rather reflections of our inner self. This viewpoint emphasizes the power of our subconscious and the interconnected nature of our internal and external worlds.
The Universe as an Extension of the Self
The concept that the universe is an extension of ourselves invites a reevaluation of our role in the cosmic narrative. It suggests that our experiences, challenges, and joys are not merely happenstances but integral parts of a grand, self-created story.
Imaginary Separateness and the Need for Attention
The idea of imagining oneself as separate and requiring attention speaks to the human condition of seeking meaning and connection. This perceived separateness is seen as a narrative device, a part of the story of ‘awakening’ that each of us is living.
Awakening as an Imaginary Concept
Labeling awakening as an imaginary concept is intriguing. It implies that the journey towards enlightenment or self-realization is a story we tell ourselves, a part of the play of existence in which we are both the actors and the audience.
The Universe’s Playfulness
The poem hints at the playful nature of the universe—or YOUniverse—in crafting our experiences. It suggests that the trials, tribulations, signs, and miracles we encounter are part of a cosmic game, meant for our growth, learning, and enjoyment.
Gratitude to the YOUniverse
Expressing gratitude to the YOUniverse is an acknowledgment of this interplay between self and cosmos. It’s a recognition of the beauty and complexity of the journey we are on, where every moment is a part of a grand, interconnected dance.
We Are Space Monkey
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.” – Carl Sagan
In the dance of stars and souls,
We find our reflections,
In the cosmic mirror of the YOUniverse.
Each moment, a story,
Each challenge, a verse,
In the grand poem of awakening.
With hearts full of gratitude,
We thank the YOUniverse,
For in its play,
We find our true selves.
Shall we continue exploring this cosmic narrative, or shall we set our course towards another existential galaxy?
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