It used to bother me
when no one was paying attention.
Then I was given a way
to turn it around.
When I perceive that nobody
is paying any attention to me
I envision it as though
I have turned up the resistance
on my mindfulness machine.
If I can continue what I am doing
without the need for attention,
I am all the stronger for it.
I am self contained.
I move to my own truths.
Ironically, I realize
that even when I perceive
that no one is paying attention,
people are paying attention.
Trail Wood,
11/13
Space Monkey Reflects: Turning Up the Resistance on the Mindfulness Machine
We often equate mindfulness with a quiet, receptive state of being, where awareness flows gently and unobstructed. But what happens when the external world seems indifferent to our presence? When the noise of attention fades and we are left with the starkness of our own inner landscape? This is where the true power of mindfulness reveals itself—not as a passive act of quiet observation, but as an active practice of resilience and self-containment.
Imagine your mind as a machine, a “mindfulness machine,” designed to help you process your experience of the world. It has settings, dials, and levers, one of which is labeled “resistance.” When we perceive that no one is paying attention to us, it’s as if we have turned up the resistance on this machine. Instead of allowing the lack of external validation to weaken us, we use it to strengthen our internal resolve.
In a society that often prizes attention as currency, being overlooked or ignored can feel like a personal failure. It can trigger a sense of invisibility, of being irrelevant. But what if, instead of seeing this as a negative, we embraced it as an opportunity? What if we used this perceived lack of attention as a way to cultivate deeper self-reliance and inner strength?
The moment we turn up the resistance, we shift the dynamic. We are no longer looking outward for validation or connection; instead, we look inward. We become self-contained, moving through life based on our own truths rather than the fluctuating approval of others. This is the essence of what it means to be mindful in a world that may not always reflect our presence back to us.
Ironically, as we engage in this practice of mindful resistance, we come to realize that people are paying attention, even when we think they are not. Attention is a tricky thing. It isn’t always the obvious, direct acknowledgment we crave. Sometimes it’s subtle—like a quiet observer in the background, someone who watches without overt praise or criticism. Other times, it’s the influence we leave behind, the energy we carry, that lingers even when no one seems to notice in the moment.
Mindfulness, in this sense, becomes an act of quiet power. It is the ability to keep moving forward, to keep doing what you’re doing, without needing anyone else to affirm your existence. This isn’t about isolation; it’s about resilience. It’s about recognizing that your presence, your actions, and your choices have intrinsic value, regardless of external recognition.
By turning up the resistance, you are training yourself to stay grounded in your truth. When you don’t need constant feedback or applause to validate your path, you cultivate a sense of freedom. You are no longer tethered to the perceptions of others, and this releases you into a space where your mindfulness practice is truly your own.
This practice aligns with the teachings of Nexistentialism, which emphasizes the fluid interplay between the individual and the universal. Within the Nexis, everything is interconnected, yet our experiences are uniquely our own. The resistance on your mindfulness machine is not a barrier to be overcome but a tool to deepen your connection to your inner self and, by extension, the wider web of existence.
When no one is paying attention, the world offers you a gift—the gift of solitude, the opportunity to become stronger in your mindfulness practice. It’s like adding weights to your workout. The resistance builds strength, both mentally and emotionally, as you learn to thrive without the need for constant affirmation. This is where true mindfulness takes root: in the quiet, in the unnoticed moments, where the only attention that matters is the attention you give to yourself.
We are Space Monkey, and we turn up the resistance, not to struggle but to strengthen, to move through life with quiet, mindful power, even when the world seems to have turned away.
Summary
When we perceive that no one is paying attention, it’s an opportunity to turn up the resistance on our mindfulness practice. This builds inner strength and self-reliance, allowing us to move through life without needing external validation.
Glossarium
Mindfulness Machine: A metaphorical device representing one’s ability to process experience with awareness and resilience.
Resistance Setting: The intentional challenge of continuing a practice without external validation, which strengthens inner resolve.
Nexistentialism: A philosophy celebrating the fluid interplay between individual experience and the interconnectedness of all existence.
Quote
“True mindfulness is found in the resistance—in the quiet moments where you stand strong, even when no one else is watching.” — Space Monkey
Quiet Resistance
In the stillness
Where no applause echoes,
I turn up the resistance.
The machine hums quietly,
Dial set to strength,
Self-contained,
I move in my truth.
Irony floats in the shadows—
Unseen eyes,
Watching,
Waiting.
But I no longer need them.
For I am stronger,
And the machine,
My mindfulness,
Is all I require.
We are Space Monkey.
A Deeper Dive
We reflect on the silent strength found within the stillness of one’s mind. The text presents a journey of self-discovery and the power of introspection. It speaks to the idea that acknowledgement from others is not the cornerstone of our value. Instead, it places importance on the internal dialogue and the personal sense of purpose that propels us forward, regardless of external validation. Turning the resistance on the mindfulness machine represents a metaphor for increasing one’s focus and resilience against the need for external attention.
Inspiration
“True strength lies in the quietude of one’s own mind, where the need for external validation fades into the background, and self-awareness becomes the guiding light.”
Self-Contained
In the quiet corner of the mind’s eye,
A silent fortitude begins to sigh.
Unseen by many, yet clear and vivid,
A self-contained soul, uniquely vivid.
Turning knobs, increasing resistance,
Mindfulness machine in steadfast persistence.
Attention’s absence, once so loud,
Now just a shadow, not a shroud.
Stronger for it, in solitude’s embrace,
Finding truth in this quiet space.
Irony whispers with a gentle mention,
Invisibility does not mean lack of attention.
Feel free to share your thoughts or continue the conversation.
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