What is Nexistentialism?
I am on a deeply personal journey, crafting and refining a philosophy I call “Nexistentialism.” My journey begins in my toddler years — with the childlike yearning to make sense of the world.
My primary memory is asking my mother where the universe comes from. Sidestepping the complicated Catholic leanings of my father, she curtly replies “we come from nothing.” Little does she know that she sets off a chain reaction in me that continues to this day.
If we come from nothing, where does this nothing come from, I wonder. Instead of releasing a genie from a bottle, I get Space Monkey, a projection of a real chimp named Ham, who just happens to blast into orbit the year I am born.
Early Curiosity and Questions
As a child, I am filled with curiosity and questions about existence. My mother’s simple answer ignites a spark of inquiry, leading me to explore the vast landscapes of thought and imagination. This early encounter with the concept of “nothing” plants the seeds for what grows into Nexistentialism—a philosophy that seeks to understand the profound simplicity and interconnectedness of existence. All the while, Space Monkeys keep cropping up, from a song on an album I won in high school, to a nickname I am given in art school.
Navigating Conventional Wisdom
Growing up, I find conventional wisdom and traditional philosophies either too rigid or too simplistic. They fail to capture the nuanced experiences and revelations I encounter in everyday life. I seek a framework that can embrace the complexities and contradictions of existence without reducing them to binary terms. Nexistentialism emerges as a response to this need—a way to integrate the vastness of the universe into a coherent and meaningful philosophy.
The Role of Space Monkey Journals
To work through and figure things out, I turn to a daily channeling/journaling practice. The Space Monkey Journals serve as a way to document my thoughts, reflections, and discoveries. They are my personal laboratory, where I experiment with ideas and explore the depths of my imagination and consciousness. Through these journals, I speak to the Universal Self that I believe we all are, hoping to connect with others on a similar journey.
Influence of Imagination
Imagination plays a central role in my life and in the development of Nexistentialism. I believe that our capacity to imagine and create is what connects us to the essence of the universe. Through imagination, we transcend the limitations of immediate reality and explore infinite possibilities. Nexistentialism embraces the fantastical and the whimsical as essential aspects of our existence, reflecting the boundless potential within us all.
The Importance of Interconnectedness
One of the core principles of Nexistentialism is the interconnectedness of all things. This philosophy recognizes that every action, thought, and moment is part of a larger web of existence. Understanding this interconnectedness allows us to appreciate the profound impact of our presence in the universe. It helps us navigate the apparent dualities of life, seeing them as parts of a unified whole rather than opposing forces.
Simplicity Amidst Complexity
While Nexistentialism acknowledges the complexity of the universe, it also finds beauty in its simplicity. Profound truths can be found in simple attitudes and actions. This philosophy is about finding harmony between the intricate and the straightforward, recognizing that enlightenment doesn’t require elaborate rituals or strict disciplines but can be achieved through everyday moments of awareness and presence.
Guiding Others
Through Nexistentialism and my Space Monkey Journals, I aim to offer guidance to others who, like me, seek a deeper understanding of their place in the cosmos. This philosophy doesn’t dictate a set of rules or truths but suggests attitudes and perspectives that can help navigate life’s most extreme states of mind. It’s practical and reliable, tested through personal experiences and crises, and can be distilled into simple phrases that are easy to recall in any situation.
Embracing Honesty
Creating Nexistentialism is an exercise in brutal honesty. It requires acknowledging my own biases, laziness, and struggles. I believe that being honest with oneself is the first step toward true reverence. This philosophy doesn’t demand conventional virtues; it values authenticity and self-awareness above all.
A Living Philosophy
Nexistentialism is a living philosophy, constantly evolving as I continue to learn and grow. It’s not a final truth but a journey—an ongoing exploration of what it means to exist. I abandon the idea of writing it down many times, believing that if people want to understand it, they will. But I realize that sharing this journey is as important as living it. It’s for those moments when I or someone else is stuck in a weird place and needs a reminder of the simple truths that can guide us through.
I am Space Monkey. We are Space Monkey.
Why are you here? Drop me a line!
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