Looking is easy. Anyone can (and anyone does) do just that. They can easily look at separate things…. things at a distance. But seeing is another matter. Seeing — real seeing — involves perception beyond all of that separation that you genetically inherited over eons of time (i.e., generations of experiences) or obtained from storing what was personally learned; it exists beyond what was gathered from accumulated learning. Seeing is not from accumulation; it surpasses and is phenomenally much more than what mere accumulation can offer. Most people look at what they were taught to recognize. Seeing cuts through barriers, surpassing them. Seeing puts the unfeeling, obtuse notion of “me” separate from “everything else” aside. But a lot of people are afraid to feel. They don’t have the courage or the moxie to feel. Real perception melts away the self and allows compassion to flower (beyond a dead consciousness). Real living involves real seeing… real perception.
Looking is easy. People, who merely look, throw bombs. Real perception — instead — is deeply compassionate.
Don’t be just anyone.
Silver-Spotted Skipper with extending proboscis … Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2018
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Thus, even the blind can see.
Absolutely yes! 🙂
So dam true!
Thanks, Ken… yes! 🙂
Reblogged this on Becoming is Superior to Being and commented:
Tom’s words of wisdom.
Much appreciated, Ken! 🙂
And I’ve noticed that the more I see, the more I see, and the more I notice. Attentiveness to what’s around us can become increasingly instinctive, and it’s so delightful when it happens.
Yes, awareness is very special but i think that (oftentimes) little details don’t matter regarding this. Additionally, in the deepest seeing, there is no “I.” 🙂
Decades ago I was in a program that took inner city teenagers to the redwood forest. A few of the kids did not know that wood to build houses came from trees. They only knew and saw concrete and steel.
So good that you did that for them, but how sad that they did not know that many houses come from trees. They probably rarely came in contact with living trees! Large, overcrowded cities are so unnatural and seem rather creepy to me.
Eye opening words Tom! And the photograph is fabulous!
Thanks much, Sabine! Much appreciated! 🙂
I agree with kennetuner, Thomas, so damn true, regards Mitza
Awesome, Mitza! 🙂 We are in for some nasty, snowy weather (with very high winds) tonight, snow included. Maybe it won’t hit us too hard!
This is beautiful, and it made me cry. What a better world it would be if we all stopped to see. I used to look, but the last few years have taught me to see, because I know how precious life is–not just mine, but the lives of everyone and everything. I see birds and study their behavior. I see deer and talk to them, convincing them that I’m not scary, and they let me come closer–one day I hope to actually have one allow me to touch it. I see the circle of life which is sometimes difficult to watch, but I understand now that it’s how we see–not what we see–that makes us who we are and how we deal with the difficult things in life.
Yes, it’s so much better when you truly commune with nature… and communing with nature means that nature is felt with empathy and real oneness, not merely seen with separation and indifference. 🙂
Great color grading
I’ll tell that to the butterfly! 🙂
Such a perfect post, text and photo, everything so clear. A wonderful description and explanation of “compassion”. 🙂
We hope so, Nicole! 🙂 They need to discuss compassion and empathy with nature much more in schools, not just about math and reading. It would be a much better world than what is sadly taking place.
It’s perfect…love it ..😍😉😊
Well, if it was perfect it would profoundly change the world! It’s far from perfect… but thank you! 🙂
😌😊
Wonderful lesson! Seeing takes practice and time and an open mind. People rushing and glued to digital media will struggle. Ah, so sad what gets missed.
Thanks, Eilene… and yes, very sad!
So true. I don’t wanna be anyone. Nature has so much to offer and we should appreciate.
Yes, and we must go way beyond what nature offers too. Nature, though often extremely beautiful, is full of conflict, violence, and ruthless competition. Many of us are just an extension of that violence; we can go beyond that! 🙂
Nice to see your post 👍
http://Www.trekkingcambodia.wordpress.com
I didn’t notice the difference between looking and seeing. Your comment impressede a lot. Thank you
Very much true.