Please don’t go through life merely sullied with the ideas, beliefs, and opinions of others (including what you may think mine might be). Wash yourself clean of all the ideological debris and perspectives of others. Otherwise, you may go through life contaminated, and the contaminated and mentally tarnished cannot see clearly (without distortion). Most see with (and “as”) distortion, which may not really be seeing at all.
Some will agree with the aforementioned statements; then they will inevitably go on adhering to the patterns and edicts of others. To perceive without contamination is an arduous thing; it may go way deeper than most of us (incorrectly) assume. For instance, many of us assume that there is a central regulator or “I” (i.e., “me”) that is in “control” over our “internally possessed thoughts” and “internally acquired feelings.” Few deeply and effortlessly realize that the “I” itself (along with concomitant feelings of “having” control) are (in themselves) no different than the other accumulated thoughts and feelings. This “I” is often seen as separate from the so-called “other” psychological images observed; it is habitually viewed as being “in charge”; few (including many psychiatrists/psychologists) consider that the “I” is itself another one of the thoughts in a conditioned series. Can one conditioned thought (psychologically separated… and projected as being different) truly be in control of the other conditioned thoughts? Many of us consciously, or unconsciously, accept separation and conflict (as the internal norm)… and we inevitably exude this out into society (which ends up in conflict and disorder). We can be better than the norm. We can blossom with (and “as”) real understanding, real intelligence.
Cone Flower in the process of blossoming (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016
Cone Flower in the process of blossoming (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Interesting, Tom.
I guess, as a sociologist, I’m acutely aware of the extent to which we are all products of social processes, practices and cultural influences. I’m not sure if you are suggesting that we could/should put these to one side or maybe just have a more heightened awareness of what may be influencing our thoughts and actions.
Thanks, Jean! 🙂
Why not both. And not just put them to one side but truly go beyond them to the extent that we are not just reactive shadows of the past. That is real transformation; the rest is just poppy-rot.
I think it’s like suggesting that we could/should stop the ebb and flow of the tides. I’m not so sure it’s possible or desirable. Also, a bit like suggesting that memory loss is very desirable. Maybe we just see things differently?
Please pardon my interruption, but I’m wondering if a concrete example might allow the two of you to find common ground.
If we think about the situation in the Middle East, there is an “Israeli story” supported by historical evidence and there is a “Palestinian story” supported by historical evidence. Both stories are “true” and yet neither is “The Truth.” To find “The Truth” we must be willing to accept that every version of history was modified (limited) by those who experienced it (to serve their own philosophical, political, or psychological needs at the time) and step instead to a “place” where every version of history is equally valid (invalid). It’s not that we forget what happened; it’s that we refuse to believe any one version of the past is better than another. Only when all of versions are accepted as flawed can each side stop standing in its own biased dogma long enough to find peaceful resolution . . .
Thank you, and may you each have a day of peace, jen
Hi Jen, thanks very much for your ‘interruption.’ As someone from Ireland which has a troubled past, I can more than understand your example and I agree that it is essential that we move beyond what are fed to us as ‘absolute’ truths. I guess I was in a good position to be able to do that in relation to the Irish Troubles as my parents came from opposite sides of the so-called ‘divide’ and got on exceptionally well with each other!
This wasn’t how I was interpreting the post ~ but if this is what it means I’m all in favour. It seemed to me that there was a suggestion that we should somehow leave the past behind. I think the past has a lot to teach us; it is part of who we are.
Thanks again. Jean
Hi Jean. I’m glad my words helped. I can’t speak for Tom, but to me, the idea is not “forget” the past. The idea is to not let the past condition us into controlled, reflexive responses — because those reflexes tend to be short-sighted and destructive (see, eg, Freud’s defense mechanisms).
Please keep in mind that the philosophy of stepping outside of absolute truths applies equally to our own personal histories and interactions and conflicts with others… and, in my limited experience, it becomes exponentially more difficult to remember and apply as the “conflict” becomes more personal!!
All the best, jen
No, the ebb and flow of the tides is part of the necessary order of the natural environment. However, saying that we must always be an obtrusion or extension of the cultural influences and practices around us is just not my cup of tea. During World War II, not everyone in Germany, despite the massive propaganda, became a devout Nazi. We can step out of the tide of an immoral society… but that takes special compassion and intelligence.
Additionally, when i write about going beyond thought, it is not at all like memory loss. A sharp, very intelligent mind sees that all thoughts — all memories — are very limited. Going beyond thought, at times, in the way we are suggesting, requires tremendous energy, insight, and awareness. This type of tremendous energy, insight, and awareness is not at all like (or equivalent to) stupified memory loss. (Plus i often say that thinking is often very necessary and useful at times… when it is needed, not merely habitual.)
Yes, not forget the past… but go beyond it with an intelligence that is not of the past. That means perceiving in a holistic, totally new way. It takes a great deal of seriousness, energy, insight, and passion regarding perceiving in a totally new way… beyond what the (old) past dictates. There is no “how” to get to that new way of seeing. Any “how” or method is likely the branch or extension of some past principles, edicts, suppositions, cultural norms, or concocted structures. To look without contamination — to look with that humility, innocence, and wholeness –means looking without merely perceiving through (and “as”) the contaminated (limited) screen that we absorbed from the masses.
Love the two photos: the second above all. Blossoming naturally is always good: sometimes the sweetest flowers bloom from the worst fumier de mouton.
Thank you much, Roger! 🙂 Yes, we can all ascend from the darkness and dirt of the world; in that is the beauty!
Strive always for the light: and that’s why I love the Impressionists and how the light falls on their canvases. Love your photos too.
I enjoyed this post, Tom. It was just what I needed to ponder this morning… thank you for your thoughtful prose.
Thanks, Lori! Over a cup of coffee or tea, i hope! 🙂 I’m more than appreciative that you are into far deeper stuff than the superficial photos!
Your prose is inspirational and often is just what I need to read at the time. You’ve been helpful in more ways than you can imagine. It is one of those connections that makes me marvel at the Universe!
Yes, “marvel at the Universe!” Be empty and pure… and that immensity may visit you! If that ever happens, then what most people marvel at will seem like silly shadows and utter nonsense! 🙂
I wish you that your words are read by many people and start a rethinking. And I wish that many can blossom with (and “as”) real understanding, real intelligence, Thomas. From your lips to God’s ears. Have a nice day, regards Mitza
I’m very with you on this, Mitza! My words are not what i care about or what is really important… but people rethinking and blossoming with (and “as”) real understanding and real intelligence is!
We are back to normal (away from the dry conditions). Thanks 4 sending us some rain! 😉 Tweetie continues to demolish that new toy!
The problem is that statistically intelligent people are less than others. The others don’t understand what you write or mean due to lack of education and this “cattle mentality”.
Tell Tweetie she’s a naughty girl, hehe
Tweetie is naughtier than you think. She was misbehaving against Marla. (It’s a jealousy thing… because Tweetie is also a female.) I gave her a long lecture about why she should behave. Then i asked her, “Are you going to be good now?” She said, “Yes, to you!”
sometime monkey wonder what word real really mean like in real understanding & real intelligence. simple brain of monkey not big enough for monkey = phenomenologist so monkey guess monkey always have bafflement about realness. monkey agree though that it = 100 % excellent idea for avoid robopathy & explore own being in universe or multiverse or whateververse.
Good points, Mr. Monkey! 🙂
To me, realness is beyond the shadowy and false. It is beyond mere learned separation and conflict. For instance, the word “flower” is not the flower, but someone who merely reads volumes about flowers, but never really goes out to smell, tenderly touch, and help any to grow is stuck with dead symbols and not with actualities. Plus, can one perceive the flower without learned separation? A whole lot of people live in their world of mere concepts without ever deeply going beyond. I would say more… but quit reading, and go hug your wife! (Transform into something that that second photo alludes to.) 😉
among the redwoods
i will be one
of them,
today!
thanks Tom 🙂
Which might be very good, David… but be careful; don’t make the mistake of associating one image with big, beautiful, and powerful ones. 😉
So true. Mind can be complicated, thus it’s difficult to analyze…
Love this flower, well done.
Thanks, Amy! 🙂
Analysis separates the analyser from the analysed.
Such a perfectly looking flower.
Perhaps intelligence is also about beauty, or the other way around, and nature can offer so many examples. 🙂
Intelligence which includes compassion is beauty in action! 🙂
Interesting. And I wonder about all those that seem to take as their own – the ideology and concepts they saturate themselves with while choosing media outlets. Talking politics here…. I can listen to most outspoken people for just a few minutes, and I find myself saying to myself: “FOX” or “NY TIMES” or “CBS” and feel they (the person) are not really themselves, but now possess an idology driven by others. Or, are they (we) all simply a product of our chosen environment…. Is that REALLY who “I” am or “They” are.
I tend to respect as genuine, (whatever that is) those who remain low key, less vocal.
Thanks for the thoughts. Oh, and nice flowers. M 🙂
Yes, MV, a lot of people, i feel, are reacting shadows in response to what their environment produced… and they are products of entities — many of whom are barbaric — within (and “as”) that environment.
Yes… low key, less vocal… those may be the ones with the compassion and lack of greed and power; but society picks the loud-mouths! 🙂
Tom, I agree wholeheartedly that all thoughts and memories are very limited as are all social constructions but the point I was trying to make is that while it is great to be able to step outside and look at the biases etc that we have, I’m not sure that any of us can fully cast away all the social aspects that have fed into making us the people that we are.
(I suspect we have a lot more in common than you may think from what I have said!)
Yes, Jean, we have a lot in common probably. 🙂 Yes, we are all caught in that social/cultural net (to some point). However, if the mind is passionate enough, intelligent enough, sagacious enough… it can (while seeing all this) psychologically die to the past and look as if for the first time. Time even, in such an aware (intelligent) mind, is not much of a factor (whatsoever) because the past is not dug up, the future is not merely a projection from the past memories, and the present is not a bridge from the past to the future (as it is in so many). Then (pure) real awareness may exist exceedingly away from what any culture, society, or group of humans ever formulated or concocted. 🙂
Ah don’t knock the bridges out of it on me! Not called Social Bridge for nothing!!
Just wanted to say that I love your blog! Your photography is wonderful! Love it!
Hi Tom, what a beautiful blog. I’m glad you are sharing your insight with others. Photography and mindfulness are my things too. What I admire is that you communicate this somewhat radical thought (that the I is another thought) with others so elegantly. I’m wandering, have you ever come across J. Krishnamurti?
Exquisite cone flower images! And wise words.