Most of us equate nothingness with worthlessness, with triviality, with insignificance. We are terrified of psychological nothingness, and when nothingness occurs, psychologically, we hurriedly run away from it with chattering thoughts, beliefs (that are extensions of thought/thinking), suppositions, and all kinds of entertainments, including television shows (with their sports and movies), radio shows, and internet correspondences. We were all taught to be something, to constantly pursue things with motives to achieve more and more (and still more). Most of us are internally prejudiced against psychological nothingness; it tends to frighten us and we automatically run away from it.
We were taught (directly or indirectly) that the “I,” the psychological center, the ego, the inner “controller” is very substantial. To most of us — let’s face it — it is the most substantial thing of all. Everything revolves around the “I” and the “me”; to suggest that the “I,” the “me,” is very insubstantial and false would be considered blasphemy by most people. (Such talk goes against their core values, their core essence.) Has your mind ever significantly pondered about what the “I,” the “me,” actually is? Most people don’t bother to ponder about it but they merrily go on referring to the “I” and the “me” and habitually function with such manifestations (that they didn’t bother to deeply ponder about).
Without thought/thinking, there can be no internal “I” or “me.” The “I” and the “me” are dependent upon thought/thinking. Without “thinking,” there is no “I” or “me.” The “I” and the “me” are protrusions of thought/thinking and are (in fact) fabrications (i.e., extensions) of the thinking process. The mind can perfectly function just fine without the inner notion of “I” or “me,” and can often do so with compassion, holistic awareness, empathy, and intelligence. In fact, a brain that exclusively functions with or from an “I” or “me” is a brain of separation, isolation, limitation, and division. A brain of separation, isolation, limitation, division, and imitation, may be considered to be intelligent by many people, but it may not be very intelligent. The “me” is considered separate from other thoughts, people, and organisms. It functions from (and “as”) a limited, separative, isolating space that thought/thinking has concocted. It may be that this concocted limited, isolating space is what is truly illusory and (hence) essentially (in a very limited way) nothing. And it may be that a rather egoless mind — without often depending on projections of “I” and/or “me” — can function as (or “with”) a vast, boundless emptiness. Such a vast emptiness (i.e., vast nothingness) is beyond motive and may be sacred, timeless, inclusive, immeasurable, highly sensitive and intelligent, and of a bliss far from what petty minds can fabricate. A brain consisting of a limited, little ego made up of a learned and fabricated “I” tends to be rather superficial and illusory; a mind of a truly holistic, vast, dynamic, immeasurable nothingness tends to be of true intelligence, understanding, compassion, and deep perception.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Wise words and beautiful pic. Good to see you back, Tom!
Thank you, Harini, much appreciated. 🙂
Thank you for this thought-provoking post, Tom.
Many thanks, Astrid! Stay safe. 🙂
Your photography is awesome. What a beautiful bug!
Thanks, Sue. Stay safe. 🙂
Wise words and I love the jewel-like colours of your photo.
Thanks much! Many of the insects are radiant like precious gems! 🙂
I know only that in those segments of time when my body is engaged but my mind is NOT, I feel at ease with surroundings, at peace. (Of course, now I’m thinking about such and using I, I, I … )
Jazz, in holistic awareness, the mind isn’t disengaged. The mind is in full harmony with the body (with all the senses) and is perceiving without a separative process. The “I” is a separative process. The mind can exist without it.
If I were we, and thou were me, we’d get along, but while-ever it is all about I we will always be stuck, loved thisw piece Tom.
Thank you, Paul. One or two understanding it is enough. 🙂
Wow Tom, so beautiful, lucky you!
Thank you, Marcela. 🙂
I’ve read some mind bending science fiction of interactions with non-conscious sentient beings.
Yes, but this isn’t about non-consciousness. It involves a different, truly intelligent, wise, holistic kind of consciousness. 🙂
I love the mixture of an image and text to convey an idea. Kinda gives double meaning. Wonderful.
Thanks, but look way deeper than the images; they are superficial.
Beautiful writing…The problem is that our whole society is built on ego and the idea of self…Education, economy and political systems are all based on self centeredness and importance of “I” instead of “we” as a society.
Yes, faulty education has a lot to do with it. Such faulty education begins early (in the home).
[I am almost a week behind in Reader and scrambling to catch up.] This was thought provoking as usual Tom. I like the bug and I know I’ve seen the likes of him and his brethren around, but you’ve highlighted his colors and exploring nature nicely here as he contemplates whether to be brave and go over the edge.