Most minds, as we were previously saying, often, unfortunately, exclusively remain as what is second-hand. So many of us merely copy the patterns of others and — with these patterns and symbols — we function and perceive. There — as has been the case for millennia — are all kinds of politicians, teachers, religious leaders, philosophical and psychological experts who are more than willing to tell you how to live. However, with all of these so-called experts and leaders, the world remains in quite a lot of turmoil, confusion, violence, and chaos. To step out of this quagmire, however, and truly be beyond it, calls for being a mind that is not merely second-hand.
From the day we were born, each of us has been encouraged to imitate, to absorb, to utilize the symbols and patterns by which — and through which — we can function well in this world. It was drilled into you that you are separate… separate from everything else out there, separate from your thoughts. With these absorbed patterns, we can dominate and succeed. Real success, however, may not be merely clinging to these basic, rudimentary things. For instance, constantly looking via separation and concrete images/symbols might make you a wealthy businessman; but it may do little to free you and the world from sorrow and the superficial. Merely ruthlessly adhering to learned separation and absorbed symbols/images leaves the mind barren and hand-me-down.
To really look and perceive as a fresh, non-imitative, compassionate, wise human being — which so few of us have ever done profoundly — is not something that you can merely rotely learn or absorb. If it is merely something that can be absorbed or soaked up by the mind… then it is not really fresh (but, rather, second-hand). So many of us have blindly depended upon others to tell us how to live and function that — for the most part — we perceive and react via second-hand methodologies, images, symbols, and patterns. Second or third, or fourth-hand, however, (especially when seeping in separation) is not real living; and perception from that is always from the dead past. Our violence, in society, stems from the learned separation, learned space of limitation, and learned separative symbols that we have absorbed and held as consciousness. Being content to remain in (and “as”) that is great sorrow, for nothing that is second-hand (and a mere reaction), mentally, is ever what is truly fresh, pristine, and joyfully alive. No wonder so many are depressed and go to drugs.
Any method, by any teacher, or priest, or guru, to help you get beyond all the second-hand images, and patterns, and reactions… is still a process involving time and learned images and systems. Only you can look afresh at (and “as”) life without the second-hand images and patterns of others. Be very careful, however, because if that “you” is another absorbed (separate) image (or set of images) that was learned, then it too is part of the second-handedness and part of the quagmire.
To look, without the contamination of the “absorbed past” does not take time. Learning the techniques, the images, or self-images, methods, patterns, and symbols of others takes time. Being second-hand takes time. When one looks through — and “as” — a learned, separative image, one is using the fossilized past… which is intrinsically (in a big way) dead; that past is a part of conditioned/mechanical/accumulated time. Going beyond being second-hand does not depend upon procedures learned from others (or from an image of self that was additionally learned). Going beyond being second-hand is not turning into some kind of vegetable; it may be true freedom and true, highly intelligent independence (from dead imitation).
Again, to look, without the contamination of the “absorbed past” takes no time; for, regarding it, there is no process or method to copy or robotically imitate. Going beyond being second-hand is timeless, and it does not depend upon procedures learned from others (or from an image of self that additionally was learned). Recognition — from stale and rather dead images that were copied over (and “as”) time — can never come upon the new, the truly sacred and pristine. What looks from mere fragmentation, symbolism, and the dead past… cannot ever perceive the timeless, the new.
Watching (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Watching (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
very true, Thomas. Love that little spider with the many eyes, regards Mitza
Thanks very much, Mitza! Jumping spiders are one of my very favorite types. They are (with all those eyes) very perceptive and alert… and they are very agile and precise on how and where they jump! 🙂
that’s right, Thomas. If we had so many eyes maybe we would be perceptive and alert, too and could jump. But how would we look? Just kidding, have a nice day, regards Mitza
i think i’m seeing
those spiders
like i’ve never
seen them
before 🙂
Very good! Too many people have been conditioned negatively against spiders. In actuality, they are very beautiful and amazing in many wonderful ways! 🙂
To look, without the contamination of the “absorbed past” does not take time.
this one really sticks. Reminds me of being childlike, open. So close to us we tend to forget it and look outside. And yet, all can be done without effort. Great inspiration Tom! thanks for reminding.
Yes the “absorbed past,” as accumulated symbols and images is the result of (and is part of) time.
It is good to be childlike, in terms of innocence and unadulterated perception; but merely acting immature (on the other hand) is not the way to go either. There has to be a wise mixture. Effortlessness (and deep consideration) is often prudent. 🙂
You make me think of ‘No man is an island …’ John Donne.
Thank you! That’s a great poem! It is one of the many superb poems — besides many by others such as Whitman, Cummings, Eliot, and Shakespeare — within the book which I had written. Poets often transfer more wisdom than philosophers. 🙂
We must be on the same page today… I just published on a Green Lynx spider in my basil patch. Thank you for words of wisdom to ponder. I often read your work a few times, allowing it to seep deeply in the crevices of my aging brain! 🙂
Lori, your love of animals really shines through… as revealed by your wonderful posts! When you are close to nature, you are close to what is sacred and mysterious in life! Too few go far enough there.
Reading the words more than once reveals that you are very serious and not merely (as so many are) drifting; that is something to be very thankful for! 🙂
You brought up a great point, Tom. It does take maturity to gggo beyond being second-hand…be true freedom and true, highly intelligent independence.
This macro image is incredible. 🙂
Yes, Amy, we can have fresh, child-like innocence and maturity! 🙂
awesome macro
Thank you! 🙂
You were pretty close to that spider TOM.. Great picture.
Thank you, Sonya! This one had more lenses focused on me than I did on her! 🙂
wonderful post — (of course we only say such things when we think alike 🙂 and in the end, your post is against opinion too)
stunning