Integrity, in the dictionary, means wholeness, soundness. Wholeness is being complete. Wholeness is not one fragmentary image involved with thinking that it is related to other fragmentary images. A fragmentary image that maintains, with a series of ideas and imagery, that it is “one” with other fragmentary images (that it sees out there) is merely deluding itself… and is still reinforcing fragmentation. Wholeness is absolute. One definition for absolute, in the dictionary, is “unconditional.” Though the truly sacred is what cannot ever be thoroughly defined by limited words, it is — nevertheless, for what we must use here to communicate — inherently unconditional. All words are symbolic and limited, and there is a supreme sacredness beyond all words, beyond all man-made, clever attempts at silence, beyond all the divisive religions that separate man (and lead to war).
Its unconditional beauty is beyond the limited patterns and clockwork paradigms of this universe. Few are ever visited by it, for it is not what inhabits separation, fear, jealousy, indifference, and falsities. A practiced or calculated silence designed to “get it” will only manifest false, self-created manifestations, not that profundity. The conditioned — no matter what technique is used, no matter what expert is followed — will never bring about the unconditioned. Conditioning must end (through uncharted, non-concocted understanding and natural self -awareness), and not “to get something.” Sitting cross-legged (with your eyes shut) in order to achieve something “special” merely reinforces acquisition and the greed of the self. If observing takes place naturally, quietly, without always trying to achieve, without learned separation and abstractions, without merely always groping to get… then, perhaps, that sacred, eternal movement may explode through the organism; if not, it simply doesn’t. One must be indifferent about whether or not it comes; that can only take place if the mind is whole and sound… (and that timelessness, that sacredness need not appear just because the mind is whole and sound). The ending of conditioning occurs when awareness exists beyond mere acquisition, beyond mere symbolism, beyond limitation, and beyond the mere glorification of a fallacious, psychological center. The repetitious notion of a controlling center is a misrepresentation, and is a furthering of the conditioning actually taking place; it is an extension of erroneous conditioning. Few of us realize about the real joy of psychologically dying to an inner psychological center, to inner psychological greed; the image of a central controller (i.e., a central boss that dominates) is a big part of (primitive, inelegant) greed. Going beyond that is real wisdom and joy. Such joy is bliss without motive… and it is not a mere result… is not a mere reaction.
Vertical Climbing (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2017
Vertical Climbing (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2017
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Tom, thank you for that perspective on “unconditional”. Often I think of unconditional as the acceptance of things as they are. Not being “conditioned” opens up a whole new idea for me about freedom and responsibility. Thank you.
Yes, Maria… acceptance has nothing to do with it. With this, what is there to accept? Perceived phenomena are there and are not separate from what the mind is… so acceptance is of little significance. Of course, a lot of superficial conditioning still exists in one who has done this… but it is not at a level where the mind merely reacts from past experience or knowledge. Without merely clinging to ingrained patterns and blueprints, the mind can be free to perceive without seeing from what is from a residual, limited mold… and that is a very profound thing. 🙂
So much here, I can’t find a comment to fit in this small space that would cover it all. I was struck by the way it comes up so often that language is unable to convey meaning and Truth and said in such a way that the writer disappears in the course of expressing it, and the reader too. All the way through there’s a sense of transparency and lightness in what could be a hefty piece of writing. Great! The second image has something of this too, the ground the insect is standing on, a quality of color with the essential parts of it removed – almost like a new color altogether.
Thank you, tiramit! 🙂 It can be very difficult, at times, because language is always limited and merely symbolic (i.e., the word is never the thing) and we are writing about something that is beyond all measurement, definition, and categorization. That may be a key to understanding, though, as it invites the mind to go beyond measurement, definition, and categorization. We are so habitually used to those, however, that it is an arduous thing to hit the nail on the head about doing otherwise… kind of like telling a diehard member of a cult that he or she is not really free. We’ve all been indoctrinated to give credence (inwardly) to a dominant ego or center which, in reality, is an unnecessary projection of thought (that reinforces conflict and that causes immense deception).
The way you’ve defined “unconditional’, I conform fully on that.
The pictures are great… 🙂
Thank you, MSM! 🙂
Please remember, though, that the word isn’t really the thing.
Great blog and pictures! While reading your words my mind was making the association with my experiences and could resonate and agree with what you mean. I suppose one can fully comprehend a description if one has gone through a similar experience. It is so beautiful when I find through someone’s words just “That!” which I could not describe. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, SFS! 🙂 Also read beyond mental associations.
Thank you. I have tried to look for your post but I still have not found it, I have arrived at April 2015. I am very interested to read it, maybe you can send me a link.