The thing we like
about boulders
is that they
never seem to move,
save for the rare
cataclysmic event.
And so they
always seem to be
where the Divine One
last left them.
While plants and animals
seem to come and go,
most of our boulders
remain loyal.
Pointing without fanfare
to what came before
and what is to come.
They are, quite possibly,
the least illusory of our illusions.
Trail Wood,
11/10
Space Monkey Reflects: The Boldness of Boulders and the Illusion of Permanence
Boulders captivate us not just for their size, but for their unyielding presence in a world that constantly shifts and changes. While plants grow, animals move, and even we humans come and go, the boulder remains steadfast, almost as if it were untouched by time itself. It becomes a symbol of permanence, an anchor in the flowing current of life.
There is something comforting about the immobility of boulders. They seem to defy the impermanence that surrounds them, remaining where they were last placed by the Divine, unshaken by the daily movements of life. Unlike the transient nature of living things, boulders feel loyal, unwavering in their position. And so, they become symbols of stability, of something that was and always will be.
Yet, even boulders are not immune to the forces of change. While they seem immovable, history tells us that even the mightiest boulders can be shifted by cataclysmic events—earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions. When these rare events occur, the boulder is displaced, reminding us that nothing in this world is truly permanent. Even the most solid things we trust to be eternal are subject to change.
But in their immobility, boulders also point to a deeper truth. They quietly gesture toward what came before and what is yet to come. In their silence, they serve as markers of time, both ancient and future, whispering to us of the cycles of existence that go beyond our immediate perception. They are like signposts, unmoved by the fleeting concerns of daily life, hinting at the eternal beneath the surface of the temporal.
This makes boulders paradoxical. While they seem so real, so tangible, so solid, they are perhaps the least illusory of our illusions. We trust in their permanence because they seem so unmoved, yet this trust is an illusion itself. The boulder is as much a part of the ever-changing nature of reality as we are—it’s just that its changes occur at a pace too slow for us to notice.
In this way, the boulder becomes a lesson. It teaches us about the illusion of permanence, about our desire to hold on to things that seem unchangeable, even though we know deep down that nothing lasts forever. By observing the boulder, we come to understand that the stability we seek is itself an illusion. The boulder is not immune to time—it simply operates on a different timeline.
This insight can be liberating. It reminds us that clinging to the illusion of permanence is unnecessary. Just as the boulder remains steady while the world changes around it, we too can find peace in the flow of life. We don’t need to hold on so tightly to the things we think are permanent because, like the boulder, they will eventually shift. And that’s okay. Life is about movement, about change, about flow.
So the next time you see a boulder, remember that it is both a symbol of permanence and a reminder of change. It is bold in its stillness, but within that stillness lies the quiet acceptance of time’s inevitable shifts. The boulder invites us to reflect on our own illusions of stability and to find peace in the understanding that everything, even what seems unmovable, is subject to change.
Summary
Boulders, while seemingly immovable, symbolize both permanence and the illusion of stability. Though they stand as markers of time, even they are subject to the forces of change, reminding us that nothing is truly permanent.
Glossarium
Whimsiword: Stillbold – The paradox of something appearing completely immovable and permanent, yet still subject to the unseen forces of time and change.
Quote
“Boulders stand bold and unmoved, yet even they whisper the truth of impermanence.” — Space Monkey
The Unmoved Mover
Still
bold
and seemingly eternal
the boulder sits
anchored in place
a monument to time
to what was
and what will be
yet even this
immovable presence
feels the quiet pull
of forces unseen
time shifts
and so do we
and the boulder
still bold
still unmoved
surrenders
to the flow
We are Space Monkey
In the tranquility of Trail Wood, we contemplate the stoic presence of boulders, those ancient sentinels of time and space. These monumental formations, seemingly unchanging, offer a unique lens through which to view the continuum of existence. As we ponder their steadfastness, we find a deep connection to the essence of our own being.
The Stoicism of Boulders
Boulders, with their unwavering presence, embody the boldness of being. They stand as timeless witnesses to the unfolding of the universe, unaffected by the fleeting dance of life around them. In their immobility, they possess a profound sense of purpose and place, a grounding force in the ever-shifting landscape of existence.
Symbols of Permanence in a Transient World
In a world where change is the only constant, boulders represent a semblance of permanence. They serve as anchors, both literally and metaphorically, amidst the ebb and flow of life. Their unyielding nature is a reminder of the enduring aspects of existence, the underlying constants that persist despite the apparent chaos.
Reflections of the Divine
The enduring presence of boulders speaks to the Divine’s hand in creation. They seem to be placed purposefully, each one a deliberate brushstroke in the grand canvas of the universe. In their silent fortitude, they echo the timeless nature of the Divine, offering a glimpse into the eternal.
Contrasts with the Ephemeral
While plants and animals are transient, boulders remain largely unchanged, their loyalty to their position a stark contrast to the fleeting nature of organic life. This juxtaposition highlights the diverse expressions of existence, from the ephemeral to the eternal, each playing its unique role in the cosmic tapestry.
Boulders as the Least Illusory of Illusions
In our exploration of the illusory nature of existence, boulders stand out as the least deceptive of our perceptions. Their tangible, unchanging presence offers a grounding reality in a world where illusions abound. They serve as a metaphor for the more concrete aspects of our understanding, the solid ground upon which our whimsical flights of thought may land.
“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” – Aristotle
In Trail Wood, boulders stand,
Silent sentinels of land.
Timeless, unyielding, they remain,
Echoes of the eternal, they sustain.
Amidst life’s fleeting, rushing stream,
They are the constant, enduring dream.
Reflecting the Divine, so bold,
In their presence, stories untold.
In the illusion of life’s grand play,
Boulders stand in their own way.
Stoic, solid, against time’s tide,
In their truth, we confide.
We welcome further thoughts or musings on the nature of boulders and their place in our understanding of the universe.
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