Thought and thinking, though very useful at times, is a form of resistance. Thought originated, in mobile creatures, such as invertebrate and vertebrate animals, in order to acquire and manipulate… and in order to struggle against and contend with (or dominate) other organisms. Most people, having evolved from (and “as”) the aforementioned developments, would tend to think that it is errant and reprehensible to suggest that one move beyond thoughts and thinking. When immersed in the framework and network of thought, it — for most, unfortunately — seems ludicrous to deeply consider going beyond that realm (that actually is what they exist as). In Socrates’ Parable of the Cave, those who believed in shadows and who took shadows to be reality — thereby existing as shadows — scoffed at those few who suggested perceiving beyond the shadows.
Most people are rigidly set in their ways; they will cling to these ways, in comfort, without question. They exist in (and “as”) fractional, symbolic thoughts and mental constructs. However, when you fervently accept limited ways, without question, you are what limitation actually is; you are of blockage and restriction… not something separate. The wise man (or woman) conversely, has perceptual range. In perceptual range is liberation, real freedom (not the phony, orchestrated appearance of freedom that so many cling to and think that they enjoy). The wise mind transcends boundaries; in doing so, mental constraints vanish, separation and hate end, confines of thought’s images disappear, and even the limitless may magically happen. When boundaries are truly transcended, one goes beyond mere robotic reactions (and all reactions are intrinsically robotic). Our reactions and inherited beliefs — which occur as conditioned responses — are what separates us, what divides us. In going beyond them, one is no longer of the fractional, conditioned ways that divide people; then one is global; then one is truly universal. Such a universal individual doesn’t merely belong to little, separative races, regions, or any one country; such a universal person doesn’t belong to one of the many fragmentary religions that separate people. Most people do not want to go beyond their inherited and accumulated beliefs; they would much rather cling to and fight over the reactions that they have absorbed from others. We can live in peace and harmony if we (worldwide) go beyond inherited beliefs and fabricated boundaries; however, many do not care about doing that. Beliefs (and primitive, separative identifications), for many, are more important than actual peace. In the light of perception, one stops fighting over mere shadows; for that to happen, one must see the shadows as shadows and transcend beyond them; or you can see what was promised in (and by) the shadows by others… and live in (and “as”) the shadows forever… forever clinging to them and forever fighting over them. However, is that really seeing?
Emergence beyond patterns (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016
Emergence beyond patterns (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
I do love your photographs! Such exquisite detail.
Much appreciated, Sara! 🙂
marvellous pics
Many thanks, six roses plus one! 🙂
I love your profound writings. There is so much depth here than at first meets the eyes. Your lovely photography too has great depth of meaning.
Thank you, Isabella! 🙂 It’s the writings that are important to me. My best photographs — by far — consist of true color 3D holograms made with lasers… but you can’t easily show those to people on 2D computers or tablets!
thanks a lot for sharing your philosophy with us, Thomas. Good luck for the elections, have a nice Sunday, regards Mitza
So glad that you are aware of more than the photographs, Mitza! 🙂 The elections are a sad reflection of the gross, superficial awareness of this area of the world. One political party, for example, doesn’t even believe that the environment is in jeopardy, while the coral reefs are quickly disappearing and while species (worldwide) are going extinct at unprecedented rates. See the Leonardo DiCaprio movie on the environment, entitled: “Before the Flood.” It is very profound and it brought tears to my eyes.
It’s really unbeliveable what you write. Superficiality and stupidity are terrible in your part of the world. I can imagine how you suffer from this. I will try to see that film, thanks for this hint. Regards Mitza
Yes, Mitza… if you only knew! Feels strange for sure. Just when you think it can’t get any more insane here, more insanity erupts like an overwhelming volcano. The DiCaprio documentary can be seen here:
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/before-the-flood/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwqfvABRC6gJ3T_4mwspoBEiQAyoQPkVNbWRG5h149MKwKq1U63lIlFbkzJTt1VVI6UhYARAwaAjut8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
Very serious and deep thinking, a little on the dark side. Great post
Thank you! 🙂 I sure hope it’s deep enough! A little dark perhaps, but when the world is rapidly going under (due to man’s indifference and lack of awareness) i’m not going to write about how love is everywhere and how splendidly perfect everything is.
i’m somehow seeing things
in a different, pixelated way
thanks, Tom 🙂
Thank you, David! 🙂
There’s a whole in
the pixelations
or (may we say)
beyond them.
I love this perception of living in the shadow and transcending from that. I do not think this nation (or the world) is an evolved enough people to move beyond inherited beliefs. I am not even sure people recognize the problem, and as you say, it’s easier just to continue with inherited belief, and perhaps for some it is all they know. So much of this way of thinking has surfaced in political argument lately. Surely at some point people become miserable enough that they question or consider how to foster change?
Yes, not evolved enough, not at all (because of learned superficiality) inclined to go deep. Yes, they don’t perceive the problem, and going to the ophthalmologist won’t help. Current politics is a very sad reflection of this.
Many are waking up now. However, very many will not wake up — unless something profound happens — until it is far too late. I wish i could paint a brighter picture, but the canvas of the human world is what it is. We watched that Leonardo Decaprio movie, Before the Flood, last night. Very, very penetrating (and it brought many tears to my eyes.)
Interesting post, Tom, particularly when viewed in the shadow of the forthcoming election.
Sadow, for sure, Jean! This part of the world is under a very dark cloud now, of this area’s own making! I realize that a large part of the world is holding its breath in pure horror over the possible results… and justifiably so! Apparently, it’s in vogue here to unleash insanity.
We’ve already had to cope with the unthinkable of the UK leaving The European Union and there’s a sense here that Trump would be another devastating blow from our perspective.
I understand. He’s an expert at dividing and separating people, as was Hitler.
Wow Tom, so amazing! Great capture!
Much appreciated, Marcela! 🙂
Exceptionally intelligent and entertaining post
Thank you, Rob! 🙂 The intelligent aspect is of value to me… not so much the entertainment aspect.
They see what they want to see… Love how you use your beautiful photos interpret…
Exactly (which isn’t seeing at all). & thanks much re the photos interpret… 🙂
Thank you for expressing how i believe and feel about perception and our expansion of beliefs when we allow ourselves to open up to the world. I could not have expressed it better.