.
If one cares to understand the entirety (i.e., the completeness) of the universe as a whole, then one must essentially be complete in oneself. One can’t be complete in oneself if one merely perceives fragmentarily, with conflict, separation, and with mere conceptual images that were learned. So many try to spread their conceptual images of what they themselves absorbed (in terms of what they believe wisdom and truth to be). However, truth is never secondhand, and it is never what one merely rearranged or calculated from what one absorbed from others. Too many (online and in books) try to point the way to truth, when — throughout their entire life — enlightenment never occurred. Many merely share what they were brainwashed with (or “as”), which isn’t (usually) real substantial sharing at all. When the blind lead the blind, both eventually end up in the ditch. Writing about facts and about certain basic things like “love for others” or about “love of life and all of life’s creatures” is good (from others) and admirable; however, when they go beyond that and spill into delicate philosophical areas, without having gone beyond secondhand concepts or realizations, that is something else.
Profound truth is never secondhand, nor a free ride; you have to do the work. Don’t adhere to what anyone says about what the truth is; discard all leaders, gurus, sages, religious cults, and all those popular lemming groups. Find out for yourself. If you don’t find out for yourself, then what is discovered will (more than likely) largely be conceptual or rehashed… which is no substantial discovery whatsoever.
.
In the pink. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Not In the pink. (Digital Charcoal). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Great pictures and words Tom.
Thanks very much, Sonya!
I totally agree Tom. I try only to write about what I have experienced and learnt directly, first-hand, in my life. What I share might not be meaningful for everybody because they might be on a different path, which requires other approaches. It’s for each of us to see where our truth lies and to use our life experience to put any spiritual/philosophical techniques and theories we learn into practice. None of us gets it right all the time. The most important thing is to try. I tend to minimise the time I spend on overly abstract levels of any spiritual theory (how deity or the Universal consciousness is perceived) precisely because there is no way to prove it or live it unless we experience a moment of enlightenment. Still those theories are nice to have as a background, but the learning ground is in the here and now, and each of us has our own “inner teacher” inside us to guide us. Greetings always, Sam 🙂
I understand what you are saying, Sam. However, most of us don’t realize how deeply conditioned we are and — even when we think we are being careful and sticking to basic facts — we are often (deeply) ingrained in falsity. Practice and effort have nothing to do with profound understanding; yet, to many of us, that seems strange and erroneous. Real enlightenment is a majestic immensity that profoundly shakes one’s whole foundation. With it (but not necessarily part of it) comes insights that are far different from what we perceive normally.
You are right… none of us gets it right all the time. However, most all of us are barking up the wrong tree (fundamentally), and we think we are on to something. It is so easy for the mind to be saturated with the wrong patterns (and to think that those patterns are splendid). The mind has to intelligently question what was poured into it over time. In going beyond that (what was poured into it, forming it) time is (though this sounds strange) transcended.
Your words are very true and your photos very beautiful – as usual – Tom, regards Mitza
Thanks, Mitza! It’s the words that matter most!
yes, that’s right, Thomas. You are really a philosopher.
you have to do the work, so true! Like how you use the beautiful butterfly shot to reflect.
Most of us don’t care to do the work!
This is a lovely post, Tom. I have read it a couple of times this morning, reflecting on how much learning and observing that I must do yet… feeling led to delve deeper and stop occasionally to consider it all. It IS difficult work, but these days I seem to be more cognizant of what the experience is about for me personally, understanding the lessons, and making realizations comes easier. I feel like a late bloomer in waking up finally… but better late than never I say!! 🙂
Lori, a very elderly man, during the last week of his life — if he is blessed enough to receive tremendous insight and that immeasurable energy, beyond the shallow pool of superficiality — supasses what billions never discovered.
lovely photos, and I loved the words “Truth is never second hand” !
Perfect clarity, void of philosophical gobbledygook 😉