Many of us go through life regurgitating what was spoon fed to us throughout our youth. Many of us function and perceive in the ways that we were taught… and, therefore, what we perceive and think is tainted with (and “as”) the dusty past. Many of us, even when we are encouraged to go beyond all that — in order to, perhaps, see things freshly and anew — tend to just momentarily see the importance of it… but then go on with our lives in the same old ways. (Which means we never really observed the deep importance of it whatsoever.)
So many of us were so painstakingly drilled (and filled) with the separative systems and symbols of the past… that we tend to habitually cling to them and repeatedly depend on them. Many of us rarely, if ever, are truly silent and beyond being the absorbed symbols by which we perceive and think. Many of us are constantly relying on and calculating with (and “as”) these symbols; the very way we perceive things in the world is dictated by what these symbols are constituted of. We perceive through — and “as” — these symbols. These symbols have an inherent distance and line of demarcation to them. They inevitably tend to be fractional, piecemeal icons. However, thoughts and mentally absorbed symbols/images, no matter how substantial they may seem to be, are almost always mere partial tokens that are mere representational patterns. Many of us are slaves to these mere representational symbols. Look at how so many so-called young people constantly are texting to each other. Instead of enjoying the integrity and wholeness of a moment… they are constantly electronically writing about it to others (all the while conveying with dead words about what could have been a living, joyful occurrence).
There is a good chance that the only true depth and the only real living (in this life) is what takes place beyond mere symbols, beyond the second-handedness (and virtual reality) that symbols reinforce and foster. What is superficial will not, however, seriously see the need for transcending all of the symbols and images that people cling to. What is immersed in superficiality, unfortunately, will not likely truly see the need for going beyond it.
Projections (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Projections (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Well said, Tom. I always enjoy your depth of thought! 🙂
Thanks, Lori! Thought does not have the real depth… but only somewhat reflects what occurs much deeper than thought. 🙂
Also, Lori, since we know that you love deer and spend a lot of magical time in nature… please be careful with regard to Lyme Disease. My cousin got bit by a little tick just by working with her raspberries in her well kept yard (that has no trees or big bushes) that a deer visited. She became very languid and full of arthritic pain and had skin sores. Read about it – it is getting much more prevalent – and use spray and tie something around your pant bottoms to your socks. Be extremely careful, please!
I’m very careful… I have noticed some years we have a bigger tick population than others. Fortunately, I have managed to keep safe.
Good! I am going to be a lot more careful! Scary stuff for sure! I love bugs and creepy crawlies… but this is something else!
I agree with Littlesundog, Thomas and love your photo, regards Mitza
Good, Mitza! May you soar beyond superficiality and ordinary values! 🙂
thanks, Thomas. I have never been superficial in my life, but it’s sometimes hard to find friends like this. 😦
Yes, Mitza! I know all too well what you mean! Even when I would go to meditation groups (that took some driving to get to from our very rural area) the people there were hung up on rather childish things (like the ringing of bells, and dead mechanical practices). Many of my relatives are hunters who stalk animals to kill them… yet claim that they love nature. It’s a weird world for sure!
so true, and awesome picture 🙂
So glad that you are appreciative of both! Thank you! 🙂
I like how you interpreted your lovely photo in version 2.
Thanks! I do 2! 🙂
Man tell monkey that it too bad human creature not come with uninstall program and delete key.
If most of us keep following insane politicians and keep killing ourselves with instilled separation in mind… we will delete ourselves soon enough.
And, yet, how can we express the joy of transcending without the use of words and images!
Yes, we must use words… but the tools are not the treasure. Most of us get obsessed all about the tools and perceive little of the real treasure.
Tom: Nice narrartive, great image, color and PW. My wife just came back from a walk and from behind our six foot, backyard fence she noticed how beautiful our large, front yard pine tree is. We’re always viewing it from below – never appreciating its height and shape.
Thanks, Dan; much appreciated! Pine trees are beautiful trees indeed! 🙂
Being aware and open to hidden depths is a place full of possibilities. 😊
Yes, Val! It’s too bad that so many are indifferent about it!
So poignantly true!
🙂
Tom: Thanks for the, like, on my Elm Drive Images, adjustment to my sales site name.
From ArtistWebsites.com to Pixels.com.