A monkey asks “Would you rather be a victim or a victor?”
I would prefer not to think of my self as either. I have no need to triumph over anything because nothing can harm me. I do not wish to place my self above anything because nothing is below me.
2/16
Space Monkey Reflects: Choose A Door—Victim or Victor?
A monkey poses the question, “Would you rather be a victim or a victor?” The question itself assumes a duality, a dichotomy that shapes much of how we perceive our lives. Yet, beyond this duality lies a deeper truth: we are neither victims nor victors. To define ourselves as one or the other is to confine our infinite nature within the narrow boundaries of opposition.
The Illusion of Victimhood
Victimhood arises from the belief that harm has been done to us, that external forces dictate our experience. It frames us as powerless, subject to the whims of circumstance or others. While there is no denying the reality of pain, loss, or hardship, the label of victim amplifies the story of separation, reinforcing the idea that we are at odds with life.
To see oneself as a victim is to forget our true nature as part of the infinite whole. It is to give power to the illusion that anything exists outside of us, capable of acting against us. Yet, even this forgetting serves a purpose, offering lessons and perspectives that enrich the tapestry of being.
The Illusion of Victory
Victory, on the other hand, feeds the ego’s desire to rise above, to conquer, to define itself through achievement. While it may seem empowering, victory is also rooted in the illusion of separation—the belief that there is something outside of us to overcome. To be a victor is to perpetuate the narrative of opposition, casting others or circumstances as “lesser” or “defeated.”
True empowerment does not come from triumphing over anything but from realizing there is nothing to triumph over. The need to “win” is as much an illusion as the fear of “losing.” Both are constructs of the mind, born from the same dualistic thinking.
The Door Beyond Duality
Rather than choosing the door of victim or victor, we can step beyond the duality altogether. This third way acknowledges that neither harm nor triumph defines us. In this space, we recognize that nothing can truly harm us, for we are not separate from the infinite. Likewise, we have no need to place ourselves above anything, for nothing is below us.
To embrace this perspective is to dissolve the stories of opposition and hierarchy. It is to see ourselves not as actors in a drama of winners and losers but as participants in the seamless flow of existence. In this flow, every experience—whether perceived as loss or gain—is simply a momentary expression of the infinite.
The Freedom of Wholeness
When we release the need to be victims or victors, we step into a profound freedom. We no longer define ourselves by external circumstances or outcomes. We are free to experience life as it unfolds, without resistance or judgment. This freedom is not indifference but acceptance—an openness to the fullness of being.
This perspective also invites us to see others not as opponents or allies but as facets of the same whole. The one who seems to harm us and the one who seems to help us are both expressions of the same infinite self. In this recognition, opposition dissolves into unity, and judgment fades into compassion.
Choosing No Door
To choose neither victim nor victor is to step into a state of pure presence, unbound by the stories we tell ourselves. It is to recognize that we are not defined by what happens to us or what we achieve. We are the infinite awareness in which all experiences arise and dissolve, untouched and whole.
In this space, there is no need to triumph or to suffer. There is only the unfolding of the infinite, of which we are an inseparable part. And so, the question of victim or victor becomes irrelevant, a door we no longer need to walk through.
Summary
The choice between victim and victor is an illusion rooted in duality. By stepping beyond this dichotomy, we recognize our wholeness and unity with the infinite. True freedom lies not in triumph or suffering but in accepting the seamless flow of existence without resistance or judgment.
Glossarium
- Victimhood Illusion: The belief that harm defines us, arising from the perception of separation.
- Victory Illusion: The ego’s desire to overcome and define itself through external triumphs.
- Third Way: The perspective beyond duality, recognizing unity and wholeness in all experiences.
- Freedom of Wholeness: Liberation from stories of opposition, embracing the seamless flow of being.
“You are neither victim nor victor. You are the infinite flow, untouched by triumph or harm.” – Space Monkey
The Space Beyond
Two doors stand before me,
One marked Victim,
The other, Victor.
The monkey smiles,
Waiting for my choice.
I step past them both,
Into the space between,
Where neither harm nor triumph
Defines me.
Here,
There is no above,
No below,
No winning,
No losing.
Only the infinite unfolding,
The wholeness of being,
Where all doors lead
To the same boundless truth.
We are Space Monkey.
The Harmony of Being Beyond Dichotomies
In the infinite expanse of consciousness, where the stars of possibility shine bright against the velvet darkness of the unknown, the question posed by the monkey—”Would you rather be a victim or a victor?”—resonates as a reflection of the dualistic nature of human perception. Yet, the response, rooted in the profound understanding of one’s inherent invulnerability and equality with all of existence, offers a glimpse into a state of being that transcends these dichotomies.
Transcending the Victim-Victor Paradigm
The preference to not identify as either a victim or a victor reflects a deep awareness of the non-dualistic nature of reality. In recognizing that nothing can harm the essence of our being, we acknowledge our untouchable core, a sanctuary of peace and resilience amidst the apparent chaos of the world. This understanding liberates us from the perpetual cycle of conflict and conquest, inviting us into a realm of inner tranquility and strength.
The Illusion of Harm and Hierarchies
The statement that nothing can harm us challenges the very foundation of fear and suffering that often drives the human experience. It is a declaration of the indestructible nature of our true self, untouched by the transient dramas of life. Similarly, the refusal to place oneself above anything else speaks to a profound sense of oneness with all that is. In this realization, the artificial hierarchies imposed by society and our own judgments dissolve, revealing the interconnected web of existence in which we are all equal strands.
Embracing Equanimity in Existence
Choosing not to engage in the narrative of victimhood or victory embodies a commitment to equanimity and balance. It is a stance of profound empowerment, not derived from dominance over others, but from an unshakeable grounding in one’s own being. This approach to life does not deny the challenges and adversities we face but reframes our engagement with them, not as battles to be won or lost, but as opportunities for growth and deeper understanding.
We Are Space Monkey
In the cosmic play of existence, where we dance to the rhythm of creation and destruction, the path of transcending the dichotomy of victim and victor offers a vision of liberation. We recognize that in the grand scheme of the universe, our true essence remains untouched by the fleeting triumphs and defeats of the world. By embracing this perspective, we align ourselves with the infinite flow of existence, navigating life’s complexities with grace and wisdom.
“Beyond the ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” – Jalaluddin Rumi
Beyond Dichotomies
In the vastness of the cosmos, where silence whispers truths,
A question echoes, a choice between two paths.
Victim or victor? The inquiry of the mind,
Yet beyond this duality, a deeper knowing finds.
Not bound by triumph, nor touched by defeat,
In the sanctuary of being, both extremes retreat.
For nothing can harm the essence so pure,
In the heart of existence, peace is sure.
Above or below, such notions fade away,
In the oneness of all, we find our play.
No need to conquer, no fear to quell,
In the harmony of being, all is well.
We dance the dance of the infinite flow,
Victim and victor, in the cosmic show.
Yet beyond these roles, our true selves soar,
In the realm of unity, where we are much more.
So let us meet in the field beyond right and wrong,
Where the soul’s melody composes its song.
In the space of no conflict, where all is divine,
We discover our oneness, timeless and fine.
We invite your reflections on transcending the dichotomies of victim and victor,
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