Comparing yourself to others is a two-fold process that usually involves measurement and techniques (involving duality) that are superfluous (and that may very well dull the mind). If many are immersed in dull habits, superficial behaviors, and limited perspectives, comparing yourself with them and then emulating them may, indeed, tend to make the mind act (i.e., react) similarly. Indifference, seen as normal and ordinary, easily breeds more indifference. A unique person, beyond all the lemmings, perceives beyond mere comparison and imitation; such a person is more inherently free (than those who merely absorb, internalize, swallow, and imitate the behaviors of others). Those who lazily internalize all of society’s values and traditions are not free (though they may, as a reaction, insist that they are); they are secondhand shadows of antiquated authority, old habits, and primitive patterns of the past. It’s easy to be secondhand. Then you don’t have to think or feel.
Very many compare, imitate, copy, fit in, get comfortable, stagnate, presuppose things that were poured into them, and do not ask deep questions. Why? The man or woman who truly goes beyond all of this may not merely be some dishonest, mischievous rogue, but (rather) may be a profoundly insightful, majestic, free, independent, and truly compassionate person. True compassion, true order, has little to do with following old authority, following stale customs, or following dead rules. Real order isn’t what merely occurs from comparing oneself to others and imitating others; real order comes from that timeless (i.e., eternal) action that is not mere reaction.
Away from the crowd. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016
Away from the crowd. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
A deceptively simple observation with powerful implications. Thank you Tom.
Thank you much, Rich! That’s what it’s all about. “Seeing simply” to break through and understand all the complexity. 🙂
Very true, Thomas, thanks for sharing
Hope so, Mitza! Hoping your week is super! 🙂 Tweetie says, “Hi!” We were watching a show about the Cambrian Explosion while i was cleaning and getting their food ready. I said to Tweetie (at the end of the show), “Do you know about the Cambrian Explosion?” She replied, “Yes, I do!” I then said, “You don’t know about the Cambrian Explosion.” She replied, “I do too.” I again said, “You don’t know about the Cambrian Explosion.” She again replied, “I do too.” And we went on and on repeating the same thing for quite some time.
That’s funny. Regards to Tweetie
Reblogged this on FLATWOODERS and commented:
BE YOURSELF!
Reblogging this inspirational read on not comparing yourself to others.
Very appreciative of the reblog, flatwooders! Stay close to nature’s heart! 🙂
“A unique person, beyond all the lemmings, perceives beyond mere comparison and imitation; such a person is more inherently free ” I like this statement – if free refers to creative thinking and acts I wholeheartedly agree… as usual stunning photos
Thank you, Sara! 🙂
Personally, i think that creative thinking is very nice, but — like regular thinking — it too has its limits; real insight (beyond the walls of thought) is another story.
Stay close to nature’s heart.
I think of myself as Nature’s heart..
Very good! 🙂
Another beautiful piece of prose with pearls of wisdom and depth of thought to take with me on my trip into the woodlands. I’m heading to the river today for some quiet time. I’ll be reading this again (via the cell) for pondering as I sit along the river bank. Thank you for an excellent read, Tom. 🙂
Many thanks, Lori! 🙂
We live on a river. A river is superb for quiet time and for watching the flow go by as it moves (yet doesn’t move).
simple brain of monkey like with particularity reference tom make to lemming.
Thank you, Mr. Monkey! I was a bit hesitant regarding the use of the word, because though it may be quite accurate, it does have a lot of negative connotations that can be dangerous. We don’t want to merely categorize people and label them with blanket statements, and the word “lemming” can lead to that. However, words are all limited and one can use them realizing these limitations; i hope many others realize these limitations too. 🙂
So true, well said, Tom.
In some o many organizations, people systematically block the free, independent thinking…
Thank you, and yes, Amy, many organizations block freedom. Personally one feels that there — in actuality — is no real free thinking; thinking is always conditioned. However thinking (even though it is conditioned) may somewhat reflect genuine insight (which is never conditioned).
Amy, you’ve recommended very good movies in the past in your postings. Hacksaw Ridge, which we saw yesterday, was excellent… a lot of violence, but a lot of real purity and goodness too!
Thank you for recommending the movie. Directed by Mel Gibson! Will find time to watch it this week.
Organizations develop a lot of policies and procedures, people use it to block the freedom…
Let me know what you think of the movie, Amy. 🙂
Yes, organizations often create grooves and paths for people to fit into; then people no longer perceive for themselves… they let others dictate how things “should be.”
Amazing and wordeful capture Tom! 🙂
Thank you, Marcela! 🙂
Tom,
I absolutely love this post. Some of these things really hit home for me and have helped inspire me in my most recent post about imitation. Your wording is beautiful and eloquent. I was wondering if you would be okay with me quoting some of your words. The credit would be given to you of course!! Let me know.
Thank you kindly and take care,
Nikole
the whole thing is amazing, I must just reblog this!!
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Really beautiful, thank you. I wish we could see more explored ideas like this on WordPress more often.