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The animals have so little room left; and we — as a species spoiling this marvelous earth — think that we are far superior! We need to change the way we do things and perceive things!
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Flight number 492. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Flight number 492. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Look beyond the learned patterns; see beyond the limited, learned symbols!
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Together. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Together. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Insensitivity ignores nature, ignores truth, ignores others. Compassion and wisdom loves nature, perceives the truth, and helps others.
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Rarity. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Rarity. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
(This is just satire on the Rule of Thirds — the simplified form of the Golden Ratio — which is all the rage in photography realms; most everyone has used it, including myself; those of you who use it or who have written about it… please do not be offended. Note: Within the poem, switch “parts” with where “countries” occurs… and “country” with where “part” occurs.)
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the rule of thirds
came by
it divi
ded
up
the
sky
it sectioned nature’s flowing traits
with man-made lines
in graphed points of space
the rule of thirds
jumped in
it drank a fifth of gin
it cut up the world
into little
bits
and it
sucked nine squarish
chocolate mints
the rule of thirds
marked its spot
in a
tic tac toe game so hot
everyone wanted
to draw up their lines
and
everyone figured why not
the rule of thirds
squared away
it decreed a superior way
it di
vided (countries)
of the whole for itself
for its superhuman
(part)men’s wealth
precisely properly
today
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The Golden Rule. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
The Golden Rule. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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between past
and future
is another realm
but few ever live there
they are too busy
thinking “as the past”:
about the future
or regarding the past
most think that
the past changes
into the future
but perhaps neither fundamentally changes
they may not change
because each the other ‘s
the only thing that really changes
is the undefinable,infinite now
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Tongue projecting Einstein (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Tongue projecting Einstein (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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The wise mind goes beyond constant symbolic thinking. It does not — therefore — necessarily need to always be recognizing things as it was taught. Constant recognition involves constant thought, mental labeling, categorization, and residual attribute manipulation. Constant recognition is a form of reacting; and reacting is second-hand and is not essentially original.
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Together as one (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Together as one (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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the alcohol brought itself 2 a face
the movement toward the mouth was
slow
and
deliberate at 1st
then unnoticed things(which began
hap
in
ing
contin
you)
‘d
2 be unmanifested
the mouth opened 4 more
4 more
the brain closed
4 less
words mispronounced dayselves
justified 1 more
and sipped
in
2
oblivi
on
a clear
day
you can
see
4ever
the car
brought itself 2 a tree
da alcohol poem
brought itself
2 a close
the end
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Horsetail growing not far from the tree (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Horsetail growing not far from the tree (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Be very careful: The security of mere belief may be blind detachment from intelligent inquiry and open observation.
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Volkswagen Beetle (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Volkswagen Beetle (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Physical threats can be escaped from… and psychological fears are not separate from what you are.
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The Jaws of Life (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
The Jaws of Life (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Ideals cause conflict and friction in the mind. Existing without them and without conflict is true intelligence. Instead of having (and “being”) mere ideals… observe what is taking place from moment to moment (without the conflict that occurs between the “ideal” and the “actuality”… or the conflict that occurs between “fantasized images of the watcher” and the “watched”) and let understanding and learning (beyond conflict) flower. Ideals cause friction between “what you actually are” and what “you wish to be.” Profound understanding trumps ideals every time! When you clearly understand that a certain snake is venomous and extremely poisonous, you naturally avoid getting bitten; you don’t need an ideal about not kissing that snake; intelligence and understanding naturally have you act with (and “as”) caution (beyond lame, fabricated ideals).
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Green in green (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
Green in green (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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in our lush and magical garden
creatures come and go
although they’re here forever
they endlessly busy themselves
with enjoying alive
without learned thoughts
of death
or
never
.
Endlessly Busy (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Endlessly busy (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Though our situation may seem rather unlucky now and then… be appreciative for what you have (or who you are with) and are. We are very lucky to have gotten to this point in (and “as”) time and space, whomever we are.
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“I’m Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover”
(originally by Art Mooney)
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain
Third is the roses that grow in the lane
No need explaining
The one remaining is somebody I adore
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain
Third is the roses that grow in the lane
No need explaining
The one remaining is somebody I adore
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain
Third is the roses that grow in the lane
No need explaining
The one remaining is somebody I adore
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
I overlooked before
I overlooked before
Be a 4-leaf clover (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Be a 4-leaf clover (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Prelude to
a dream
between the crushed
and convoluted sheets
with their
protruding
feet
Prelude to
a dream
a placid silence
attained by pillows
Things are
not
what they seem
.
Walking on Clouds (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Walking on Clouds (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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To a truly wise mind, many supposedly tantalizing sensations are often — though not always — rather trivial and unnecessary… because a truly wise mind is fully content in itself, not needing extraneous stimuli to (eventually) make it happy. It is only a very empty cup that constantly craves being filled…
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Propeller. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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You can give a precious ring to a girl easily; but giving true loyalty, compassion, integrity, and honor is a million times more valuable.
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And violets are blue… (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
2D3157 And violets are blue… Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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There was an after
which occurred
following a before
which occurred
as a now
and then
a movement contemplated
itself before
and after
someone else did
not care
two pins
about
the distance
involving
pastandfuture
as well as
the distance
involving
themandus
.
Pinkingly (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Pinkingly (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Deep mysteries can be understood if one goes beyond the superficial and accepted ways of seeing.
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Excerpt from Emily Dickinson’s first poem — Valentine Week 1850:
****Awake ye muses nine, sing me a strain divine,
Unwind the solemn twine, and tie my Valentine! ****
Oh the Earth was made for lovers, for damsel, and hopeless swain,
For sighing, and gentle whispering, and unity made of twain.
All things do go a courting, in earth, or sea, or air,
God hath made nothing single but thee in His world so fair!
The bride, and then the bridegroom, the two, and then the one,
Adam, and Eve, his consort, the moon, and then the sun;
The life doth prove the precept, who obey shall happy be,
Who will not serve the sovereign, be hanged on fatal tree.
The high do seek the lowly, the great do seek the small,
None cannot find who seeketh, on this terrestrial ball;
The bee doth court the flower, the flower his suit receives,
And they make merry wedding, whose guests are hundred leaves;
The wind doth woo the branches, the branches they are won,
And the father fond demandeth the maiden for his son.
The storm doth walk the seashore humming a mournful tune,
The wave with eye so pensive, looketh to see the moon,
Their spirits meet together, they make their solemn vows,
No more he singeth mournful, her sadness she doth lose.
The worm doth woo the mortal, death claims a living bride,
Night unto day is married, morn unto eventide;
Earth is a merry damsel, and heaven a knight so true,
And Earth is quite coquettish, and beseemeth in vain to sue.
Now to the application, to the reading of the roll,
To bringing thee to justice, and marshalling thy soul:
Thou art a human solo, a being cold, and lone,
Wilt have no kind companion, thou reap’st what thou hast sown.
Hast never silent hours, and minutes all too long,
And a deal of sad reflection, and wailing instead of song?
There’s Sarah, and Eliza, and Emeline so fair,
And Harriet, and Susan, and she with curling hair!
Thine eyes are sadly blinded, but yet thou mayest see
Six true, and comely maidens sitting upon the tree;
Approach that tree with caution, then up it boldly climb,
And seize the one thou lovest, nor care for space, or time!
Courting the Flower (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Courting the Flower (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Occasionally dying (without effort or methodology) — psychologically — to thinking… is harmless, bright, and intelligent. Constantly, mechanically, habitually reacting as mere symbolic thoughts is rather cadaverous and is the equivalent to clinging to superficial shadows.
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(In Socrates’ parable of the Cave — within Plato’s Republic — people were born in a cave, and they were fettered with chains… and forced to merely see and learn the details about shadows cast on the cave walls from puppets and a fire that they didn’t see behind them. One of them was taken — at one point, by force — first to see the fire… and then out of the cave into the true light of day… into a truer reality; then he came back down into the cave with the others. When he — the man who returned back — pleaded with them to look beyond the shadows, they called him a fool, and continued giving prizes to those who could best guess which shadows came before or after. Such is life.)
Silhouette of a Sage (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Silhouette of a Sage (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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There are innumerable charlatans out there — claiming all kinds of ludicrous things — so take the following with a grain of salt. Don’t believe anything; find out for yourself.
A being who truly experiences enlightenment is someone who is visited by that immeasurable, holistic energy which, if anyone would be filled and visited by it, would make one feel a trillion times more alive than what occurs as regular consciousness; and one so visited would feel the undeniable, sacred quality of that indescribable, eternal energy. Thoughts (being symbols) are always “about” energy; they are virtual (in a big way), are symbolic representations, and are never the actual energy. (If one continues to crave enlightenment — turning it into a mere desire — it will never happen. Just be open, orderly, and passionate about life, and it may happen.)
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Stepping Stones (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Stepping Stones (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Flowing movements(callingthemselvespeople)
see these actionsmovements(here)unfoldinglymove
and label it as me a nounstuckrocklikewithinagroove
Evolving observings streaming
and there’s a thinking that
themselves are firmandfixed
There’s metamorphosis movingbursting
here within and all around call
but learned chrylalis concentrated separations
continue to divide pigeonhole label and
stiffen cement and densify all
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Unpinned (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Unpinned (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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When thinking is absent… the “thinker” is not. Going beyond the thinker and thought — which are both one and the same — is a psychological dying. However, this dying makes way for a new field of living and awareness (that is vast, profound, alive, compassionate, and insightful). When thinking does occur — and it is often very necessary — there is no need to conceive of a “thinker” separate from thought; doing so creates more fragmentation and is a waste of energy. Not wasting energy is intelligent and very prudent. To understand the whole, there cannot be mere fragmentation and a waste of energy. When energy is not wasted there is that possibility that the whole of intelligence and universal order will manifest. Only in complete order is there a possibility for the sacred to visit. It cannot — and never will — merge with what is fragmentary and of conflict (which is what all thought and thinking intrinsically is).
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Beyond cities (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
Beyond cities (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Breaking News:
Scientists — those fellows who are ever so clever — say that the universe is spiraling and expanding… and we have found concrete evidence of that (as illustrated in the accompanying photographs). The new, solid evidence supports the theory that the universe — at its current degree of expansion — is optimally suited for supporting life.
😉
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New, hard evidence:
New hard evidence! (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
New hard evidence! (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Though experience is often very necessary, a truly wise mind is intrinsically fulfilled — without motive — and doesn’t always need to be experiencing; but a happy infant usually depends on its toys.
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Simply beeing. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Psychologically speaking (without fictitious, crass separation):
In seeing… the see-er is the scene; in hearing… the hearer is the heard; in learning… the learner is the learned; in driving… the driver is the driven; in thinking… the thinker is the thought; in reading (this)… the reader is the read.
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Jack and the Bean Stalk (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
Jack and the Bean Stalk (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Many have assumptions that the “I” is the central controller of thinking; but, the “I” is actually another one of the conditioned thoughts. Not fully realizing that causes all kinds of illusion, fragmentation, mischief, and needless conflict. One thought — even though it purports to be central — does not, in reality, truly govern, dominate, or keep “other” thoughts in subservience. Profound wisdom and intelligence goes beyond that needless falsity and is then composed of magnificent order that is far more parallel with that of the true, overall order of the universe.
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Topsy-turvy (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
Topsy-turvy (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Profound truth and what is sacred and timeless cannot ever be found second-hand, nor by clutching to patterns; that is why it cannot be discovered by clinging to another’s authority — neither religious, political, social, nor a (learned, though essentially illusory) central ego’s authority — but only directly, effortlessly, spontaneously. That is one reason why — for so many — it is so very elusive.
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At the summit (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
At the summit (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Give a dog to a bone
give a flower to some water
give a child to a hug
give a reader to the blog
give a charity to some dollars
give the question to the answer
give the itch to the scratch
give the darkness to some light
give some spider to a color
give the world to yourself!
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Give some spider to a color (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
Give some spider to a color (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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What is belief? Is it necessary in terms of understanding the whole, or is it something that is not very intelligent? In terms of religion, there are many who believe in their various Gods, and these beliefs — unquestionably — have a lot to do with what was handed down to them from others. Each one has his or her own inherited beliefs. So many (each) think that their God is best, that their country is best. Beliefs tend to divide people. Many wars have been fought over, and about, firm beliefs. One wonders — when beliefs have caused so much havoc and conflict in the world — why we still desperately cling to them.
In terms of spirituality, as was suggested, there are many who believe in their own particular God. Atheists believe that there is no God; they say that God doesn’t exist. Please don’t go off and get overly upset about this… but if one’s images of one’s God are composed of learned concepts and if one’s ideas that there is no God are constituted of concepts… then — in a fundamental way — there really is no big difference between ardent religious believers and atheists; they are both filled with their own particular, absorbed concepts.
To really (passionately) inquire — beyond all this vast array of disagreeing and conflicting beliefs — is something totally different. Then handed-down concepts or absorbed abstractions and procedures don’t influence and hinder one’s perception. Someone beyond these is truly open (and not contaminated by some process or conclusion). If you are on a quest to really find out the true nature of the whole of everything, will you follow someone’s technique, religious process, or anti-religious process… “map” of how to get there? If you follow their methodology, that means that you strongly suspect or “believe” that they hold the answer… the “special map.” However, if you aren’t truly aware of the answer, how could you possibly accurately know, or believe, that they have the answer?
Simply inquiring and perceiving, without an accumulated procedure (involving time), and learning about one’s self — without belief — without dependence on anyone’s system, or tradition, or “special map”… is not merely another belief. Belief (including following the methodology of others) takes time; it’s the residual result of an accumulated, residual process. Immediate perception (not clouded by learned beliefs or concepts), and insight concerning the self and/or deep truth, may not be (or be part of) an accumulative process whatsoever; time essentially has nothing to do with it. You know, when you actually see the sun, you don’t have to believe in it. There are billions habitually walking around with (and “as”) accumulated symbols, patterns, and images… learned from others over time. People love symbols; they are mesmerized by symbols, and most people are “thinking,” by way of mental symbols (which are what thoughts are), nearly all of the time. But the word “sun” isn’t the sun. Accepting symbolic beliefs, images, and concepts as the primary basis of your existence may not (unfortunately) be deeply intelligent, and it may lead to more conflict in the world; it may be like clinging to dark, cloud-like, second-hand, empty shadows (that never allow one to truly see the light). One can be open and beyond all that; few ever do it.
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BZZZZZZ… Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 