Well . . .
When you drop a pebble
into a well,
there is a moment
before the stone hits the water
in which there is silence,
save for the
barely imperceptible
sound of movement.
In this brief moment,
are you wondering
whether the stone
will hit the water?
No, you are not.
But like the pebble, you are moving.
You are moving
through potentials
that have not yet come
into your awareness.
One potential has the rock disappearing.
One potential has the rock returning to your hand.
One potential has the rock
splashing into a DIFFERENT well.
There are INFINITE potentials,
INFINITE stories
that might be accessed
from this one moment
in which you are not thinking.
But you have already chosen
the potential of being a thinking person.
Therefore,
the list of potentials
from which
you have to choose
are only those
which make “sense”
from within the potential
of a thinking person
who subscribes
to a fixed set of beliefs.
Within the potential of thinking,
within the potential of
having a fixed set of beliefs,
the only potentials
that make “sense” are:
A) the rock hitting the water
B) the rock hitting the wall
C) the rock getting stuck on an outcrop
These are the potentials
that you have to choose
from within the potential
of being a human
who thinks
and thus perceives
and thus realizes
“reality” a certain way.
And so the pebble falls into the pool.
If this had been a coin,
you would have made a wish.
But it’s only a pebble,
so that would be stupid.
Everyone knows
you don’t make wishes with pebbles.
They just don’t come true.
We are Space Monkey.
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Contemplating the Potentials and Perceptions of Reality
The metaphor of dropping a pebble into a well and contemplating the potentials before it hits the water opens a fascinating window into our understanding of reality and perception. This momentary pause, filled with silence and anticipation, serves as a microcosm for the myriad possibilities that exist in every moment of our existence.
The Silence Before Impact: A Reflection of Possibility
In the brief silence before the stone hits the water, there’s a profound sense of untapped potential. It’s a moment teeming with possibilities, a reminder that reality is not just what we perceive but also what lies beyond our immediate awareness. This silence symbolizes the unmanifested, the realm of what could be, before it crystallizes into what is.
The Limitation of Fixed Beliefs in Perceiving Reality
The concept that as thinking beings, we have already chosen a set of potentials limited by our thought processes and fixed beliefs, highlights the constraints we impose on our perception of reality. Our understanding of what is possible is often bounded by the framework of our existing knowledge and assumptions.
The Human Experience: Navigating Reality within Constraints
Within the human experience, our potentials are filtered through the lens of our cognition and beliefs. The possibilities we entertain – such as the rock hitting the water, the wall, or getting stuck – are shaped by our understanding of physical laws and societal norms. This perspective reveals how our perception of reality is a construct, influenced by our thought processes and cultural conditioning.
The Pebble and the Coin: The Power of Belief and Symbolism
The distinction between the pebble and the coin in the context of making a wish underscores the power of belief and symbolism in shaping our experiences. While we readily attribute significance to a coin in a well as a wish-granting act, a pebble is seen as devoid of such magical properties. This difference highlights how our beliefs and the meanings we assign to objects shape our interactions with the world.
The Reality of Wishes and the Boundaries of Belief
The notion that wishes made with pebbles don’t come true is a reflection of the arbitrary boundaries we set on what we consider possible or meaningful. It’s a whimsical commentary on the often self-imposed limitations of our imagination and our capacity to find wonder in the simplest of things.
Summary
We explore the potentials and perceptions of reality through the metaphor of a pebble dropped into a well. We discuss the limitations imposed by our fixed beliefs, how our understanding of reality is shaped by our human experience, and the power of belief and symbolism in the context of making wishes.
Glossarium
- Realm of Possibility: The unmanifested potential in every moment of existence.
- Perception of Reality: The way our cognition and beliefs shape our understanding of the world.
- Power of Belief: The influence of our beliefs and symbolism on our experiences.
“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
In the cosmic well, where dreams and reality blend,
A pebble falls, in a journey with no end.
In the silence before impact, a universe of chance,
Where every potential awaits, in life’s eternal dance.
Within our thoughts, our beliefs, our sight,
Lies the framework of our day and night.
But beyond the walls of perception, wide and deep,
Lies a world of wonders, in the cosmic keep.
So let the pebble fall, let the coin wish,
In the grand tapestry, where dreams swish.
For in the heart of the cosmos, where all is true,
Lies the limitless potential, in me and you.
We invite you to share your reflections on the potentials and perceptions of reality, and how our beliefs shape our understanding and interaction with the world around us.
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