That original source, if it is to be discovered at all, must be seen firsthand (and directly). Seeing it through the second-hand scraps of another — including me — is never seeing it at all. The mind must be free of the contamination of others — the second-hand rubbish of others — for that seeing to take place. That seeing — of that wholeness — may have nothing to do with visual perception whatsoever. (Don’t be foolish enough and greedy enough to think that closing your eyes and sitting with crossed, pretzel-like legs will get you there!) Regarding this, the mind must be free of all the hand-me-down knowledge and systems of others and be of a sweet, pristine, innocent purity. However, even that is not enough, for the human mind cannot ever be totally spotless and original, and if that miraculous immeasurability ever occurs, it is not ever because one made it occur. It is much too immense, intrinsically intelligent, and freely mysterious, to merely be a shoddy effect from some paltry human cause. It is (though words are never the actual thing) an ineffable, sacred whole beyond mere causality. So many charlatans write in books and blogs and talk in temples about what they “think” it is. Additionally, many claim that it does not exist. Beware of all others and find out for yourself. Inquire with profound passion and never allow that passion to be quenched by mediocrity.
Fungus on Forest Floor… Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2018
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Alone as it should be, if you are able to take courage—Alone. outside of the never ending wheel of explanations is where you find yourself. Alone is where you come to realize that yes, everyone else can be wrong, and for the first time in your life you can become yourself. The walls that divide crumble down and we finally become—us
Yes, most people are afraid of standing alone. That aloneness isn’t isolation, isn’t separation. We can talk about it ad infinitum but actually doing it is another story. 🙂
Some highlights of my life have been alone for extended periods in the mountains. I spent three weeks without seeing another human. After you find yourself then it takes courage to live it. Took me a while. I’ve had several opportunities away from pressures and it is grand, but not for everyone. Great post Tom. Thank you
It’s great to alone at times. The Old English root of it is “all, wholly.” 🙂 Thanks, Jim.
Wow! If you did’t said, I sure wonder what it was!😊
Yes, one saw it on the forest floor from a distance and wondered what it was. I know that you are into photography but also try to carefully read the written text because that is highly important in this day and age. 🙂
You have such a precise lens!
Yes… but it is precision and perfection of the mind that is immensely more important. 🙂
you say it best!
So dry there in your neck of the woods, and a fungus has grown … and you were there to capture it with your lens.
It was near the river in a wooded area. The river adds some moisture in the air and the thick woods help retain it. 🙂
“Inquire with profound passion and never allow that passion to be quenched by mediocrity.”
THIS. I’m so tired of the mediocrity-worship that pervades certain academic institutions I’ve been to. How is the US ever going to improve if young, impressionable adults are constantly being discouraged from doing their best? Mindsets and behavior patterns that are acquired in the formative years are extremely difficult to unlearn later on.
Yes, the unlearning of the erroneous/miseducation parts is very difficult. Once people are brainwashed by what is false, expecting them to perceive the truth is very arduous and next to impossible.
Be perceptive (beyond rigid patterns) and caring! 🙂