Deep Thought

The unanswered questions about life, the universe and the nature of the self. Follow the thought train and see where it leads you.

The experience of life.

The countless different actions,

reactions,

choices and thoughts

that make up who we are.

We're born, we live, we die.

Are we simply machines?

Biological mechanisms?

Our brains just relaying

and storing connections?

What is this thing-

'the mind'.

Who writes this,

what is behind?

I think

therefore I am,

but what am I?

Science teaches us the physical world-

the laws that make up the universe,

but are they complete?

Where do these thoughts come from?

What is consciousness?

Is there such thing as a soul?

What happens when we sleep,

do we leave this world?

The world is full of wonders,

and wandering ponderers.

The practical physical world

captivated.

The spiritual awe feared

and indoctrinated.

Everyone is different,

yet we're all the same.

Me, myself and I,

everyone the centre

of their own universe.

Duality;

particle and wave-like,

living and dreaming,

thinking and existing,

in wonder and in awe.

We search for answers;

a meaning in the chaos,

reasons from the random.

Is it all just chance,

the roll of the die,

that the universe seems so

fine tuned for life?

Is space-time just

a concept of our minds?

Is this all just a dream?

Mental and physical

which is more real?

Is it just us?

This internal-

external self.

How many other beings

share this shelf?

Could we ever

build a machine

that is conscious?

And if we did,

would it be obvious?

Where do we draw the line

between life and death,

animate and inanimate

conscious and autonomous?

If we can simulate life,

then who is to say,

it's not happening to us

day after day?

All we can do is wonder,

and follow our curiosity,

down the rabbit hole.

This paralysing fear of the unknown

has split the world in two.

Physics

and philosophy,

science

and theology.

We cling on to what

we can measure and see,

and to what our parents

and teachers

have taught us to believe.

But left to your own devices,

what do you think?

The human experience:

Ultra 4D high definition!

Emotions,

relationships,

pain, joy

and problems.

You feel it, you live it.

You can try walking

in another pair of shoes,

You can empathise,

but never truly know.

We are divided by

belief and experience.

Between I, us and them.

But we are connected

in more ways

than we can imagine.

Born from star dust,

on a pale blue dot.

In the blackness of space,

accelerating,

from one small spot.

Are we all just parts

of one infinite thing?

Thinking, feeling,

connected beings?

What if lifetimes

were like neurons,

in one great,

entanglement?

Centered everywhere,

and nowhere,

outside

and inside.

Each part the whole.

Is life but a journey

to discover ourself?

One and all,

together,

following dreams.

Is the reason for existing,

simply to be?

I think,

therefore

I am.

Author's Note

Sorry for the length, kudos if you've made it through!

I'm not sure from where the inspiration came exactly, I just felt the need to write it down. So it is very much a string of thoughts, but I have tweaked a few bits along the way. It's the first poem I've written in years.

Any feedback would be great, I'm thinking of making a film/animation/moving image for it so its a bit easier to digest maybe.

Reviews

[Andrew Nelson Stewart]

First of all wanted to say welcome to my group Life's Follwers. Thanks for joining. This poem you wrote is very facilitated to the way of asking life or this universe who we are in the process of making and the examination of what it means to lead a "good life, what concepts such as justice and happiness actually mean and how we can achieve them, and how we should behave, forms the basis for the branch of philosophy known as ethics ( or moral philosophy). The quote you initiated with and end with of this delightful poem ( " I think, therefore I am"), perhaps the best known quotation in philosophy is Descartes " cognito, ergo sum" ( often translated from Latin as "I think, therefore I am"). Most crucial and essential questions you asked in here like what happens when we die?, who are we?, Are we simply Machines?. We must remember too that these ideas, beliefs, moral justification and life in general never becomes outdated. They still have much to tell us, even when their conclusions have been wrong by subsequent philosophers and scientists. There's so much to discuss here in your poem and questions to answer . But I see your enlightened in this universe and found yourself, your soul. To say from poet to poet , where do these ideas come from? They are all around us and in us, if we would just pay attention and harvest them which we do in poetry. The mind- your mind, my mind is constantly emitting ideas, images, entire lines. These are what the great French poet Paul Valery used to call " vers donnees"- ready made lines. Often these ideas and images represent the best that our creative minds are capable of. Keep a notebook with you at all times. Capture these random thoughts in your notebook. Like a spark caught up in tinder, unimaginable heat and light may grow from them later. Thoughts that you do capture like this beautiful poem are in your hands and in physical form. Thoughts you do not capture are lost forever. This is what I call " mind harvesting" and it is essential. Keep writing !! And welcome again to the group, feel free to post anything or share anything you'd like to share. May abundant of blessings of love, answers, beauty, and harmony follow you wherever you go in life. Sincerely your friend Andrew Nelson Stewart . P.S don't worry about length what matters is what comes from inside our hearts. Writing is what we can to connect with the unknown paths of life pulling our hands to join in different adventures . Check out Allpoetry.com free and part of it also. Thought you might like it.

[Lauren Newman]

Thank you very much for the review!
Its good to know there are others on the same wavelength. I will get myself a little notebook to write down all the vers donnees I encounter :D
I have joined Allpoetry, thanks for the recommendation, it seems like a great community :)

[Andrew Nelson Stewart]

Yeah for sure, yes Allpoetry is a great community and got my started with learning the market of poetry and self publishing. That's what life is about to lend a hand and spread kindness and love to keep the world healthy. Keep being awesome Lauren and thanks again for joining my group. Can't wait to read more from you.

[Lauren Newman]

That comment about mind-harvesting inspired me to write 'the Source of Ideas'. I'm loving Allpoetry! Are you on there? We should be friends :)

[Bonvilston]

Hi Lauren,

My name is Peter and I am a Digital Artist. I specialise in abstract and emotive art. I am currently thinking of putting together some kind of publication which combines my artwork with other media that I do not have the talents to produce. The most obvious of these would be poetry. I have been seeking poetry that might fit with the kind of imagery that I produce, and in this poem I have found one. I feel that my art is a "thinkers" art and your poem is definitely a "thinker's" poem.

How would you feel about working together to produce either on online publication based on your poem and my artwork. Alternatively it could become a video with you reading the poem and me adding images and effects.

I am not thinking of this as any kind of money making activity. i would see it as a way to provide art and poetry to a wider audience and building on the synchronicity between digital art and thoughtful poetry.

If you are interested in considering such a venture please do drop me a line at my e mail of [email protected] , or at least take a look at my website at bonvilston.org.uk.

I hope to hear from you.

Congratulations on creating such a fine piece of work

Peter

[Lauren Newman]

Hi Peter,
Thank you for your kind words and your interest in collaboration! I have sent you an email :)

[I am that I am]

"I think, therefore, I am, but what am I?"
This points to a truth that mere words cannot reach. It is beyond thought and expression. I believe the answer is what we have given the name God. The silent, made vocal. The inexpressible, expressed. The seer, made to be seen. Nothingness, made into Everything. The Creator of the Universe. You may say, "I am me and you are you." But if you were to ask me, "Who are you?", I would say, "I am." I could ask you the same question "Who are you?" and your answer would be the same, "I am." But the question me and you could never answer; is, "Who am I?"

"And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you."
Exodus 3:14 KJV

Excellent work, Lauren.

[Pete]

This is excellent. Extremely deep. Raises many of the questions regarding what the purpose of life is. When you find the answers please let me know. Thanks for sharing.

[Fahmida Mehreen]

Good read. An appreciable piece.