The dictionary describes “oblivious” as ‘not aware or concerned about what is happening.’ Many are neither concerned about the environment, about stopping the current virus from spreading, nor about curtailing the injustice and discrimination going on in the world. Looking with the mechanistic brainwashing that was likely poured into you in your youth, is not awareness. True awareness transcends the mediocre, conditioned, superficial platform that society tends to educate its children with. Words are symbolic patterns, virtual reactions, and to merely look at the world through (and “as”) symbolic patterns and conditioned reactions is not real looking and is not real awareness.
The dictionary describes “narrow-minded” as ‘rigid or restricted in one’s views; intolerant.’ Many humans have rigidly clung to the restricted and limited educational patterns that were poured into them. They go through life, looking at things in pre-molded, pre-planned ways — set up by organized bureaucracy — which isn’t really “looking” at all. No wonder then, that there is much indifference and callousness taking place in (and “as”) their minds. Of course, there are a good number of people out there that have noble arrangements or professions that really help people (and animals) but the world needs far more of such people. Indifference, rigidness, and unconcern are far too rampant.
There is no rule or method to follow that enables one to truly go beyond mental superficiality and rigid methodologies. One must do it with the heart in a way that goes beyond the mere symbolic patterns of words, learned patterns of separation, and self-concepts. The true living heart has no boundaries and does not cling to man-made limitations.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
GORGEOUS image! And wise words – especially words are symbolic patterns, virtual reactions … largely poured into us (by parents, peers, social media, employers …
Your words here, also symbolic pattern – pattern of questioning, of allowing self to confess “I don’t know … I need to look closer … I need to be open to changing my associations.”
living my life as a learner I am constantly intrigued by ” I don’t know”….thank goodness I don’t and have the joy of being able to research the whys!
Yes, Jazz, we need to be open to changing our associations. 🙂
We have identified with thought/thinking. We ARE thought/thinking. That is what we were educated to be. Is that all? Good God, no it isn’t. But we were conditioned to remain and stagnate in that dreadfully limited realm.
Oh such a wise wise post Tom.
“Many humans have rigidly clung to the restricted and limited educational patterns that were poured into them.” Is this, I wonder, a way to stay safe in a world gone insane? People certainly are not open to new ideas or to being accountable for ANYTHING. I am appalled by human stupidity/arrogance/ cruelty on a daily basis – why is it we refuse to learn? – There’s more than conditioning involved here. It’s like we want to self destruct – look at this covid idiocy – totally preventable… our ongoing 40 year refusal to acknowledge the reality of climate change has brought us to a frightening edge where suffering is ahead for all species on this planet. WHY? Conditioning certainly – I wonder if we as a species are losing brain cells – the capacity to think –
And surely we re not encouraged to engage with life on a heart level – which is as you point out – the solution to this apparently unsolvable dilemma.
Thanks Tom – I need sanity in my life.
Thanks so much, Sara. 🙂
Yes, the Covid idiocy… it involves something that — intelligently — can be preventable and treated with compassion for others. But, apparently, there is not a lot of intelligence and compassion for others. And so many are getting Long Covid, wherein brain degeneration takes place, such that such nefarious people will come up with even more absurd excuses and hateful messages. It’s frightening!
Keep your head above the muck, Sara, and be a glowing oasis in this world that’s on fire.
By the way, that columbine photo is amazing.
🙂
“The true living heart has no boundaries”
Love that.
Thanks, Zsoro; it’s true. 🙂
Oh my goodness Tom, this should have been an Op-Ed in one of the major news forums. Ok, there’s so much to this that is a “Drop the Mic” moment. 🎤 I especially love “symbolic patterns and conditioned reactions is not real looking and is not real awareness.”
Your summation is perfect, “One must do it with the heart in a way that goes beyond the mere symbolic patterns of words, learned patterns of separation, and self-concepts. The true living heart has no boundaries and does not cling to man-made limitations.”
In light of everything going on around the world, things are not perfect, yet that doesn’t stop us from opening, and I mean truly “opening” our hearts and minds with what is real, not what is coerced with brainwashing, but for that which is liberating and sustainable. Great post for today my friend. Thanks for breaking this down into bite-sized pieces! 💖🤗👌🏽☺
So great that you continue to be appreciative of what is here, Kym! 🙂
Like was mentioned to Sara, the world is on fire and those of us who are aware have to be an oasis of goodness and awareness despite all of the chaos. It isn’t easy. But that is OK. Society wants people to fit into the norm and the dead-in-the-head conditioning, but be very diligent to not let that happen. The conditioned, fragmentary approach has not worked. The world is going down the drain largely because of it. People need to wake up and change… but people don’t want change; they become lackadaisical and prefer to remain in stagnation.
Keep your eyes open and be caring and insightful, Kym! 🙂
Thanks a million Tom. We have to keep our eyes open and our awareness entuned. We have to pay attention especially when others don’t. ❤️🤗 🥂 Thanks so much my friend!
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You called it once again, Tom. 🌷
Appreciate that, Nancy! 🙂
Yep. As Korzybski said, the map, though possibly useful, is not the territory, and the word is not the thing it describes. “To use words to sense reality is like going with a lamp to search for darkness.” (Even the words in this comment and on this page.)
Yes! The finger pointing to the moon is not the moon. 🙂
What a beauty flower, the art of nature!! Lucky you Tom!
Thank you much, Marcela! 🙂
Unfortunately so many people are not in tune with what is going on around them; instead they get by, wearing blinders, lurking about, oblivious to the world slowly crumpling around them. The photo is stunning Tom – from the jeweled, iridescent bug to the wisps of spider web around the flower … a delicate and dainty look at what we are missing by staring straight ahead wearing those aforementioned blinders and not stopping and stooping down.
Yes, Linda, so many are oblivious to the world crumbling around them (from man’s abuse). So few stop to look at the magnificent natural wonders that are all around (even in their own backyards). By your Blog, Linda, it is obvious that you are not going past nature, with blinders on.
Yes, we are destroying what gifts were given to us … humans are nothin’ special sometimes. Thank you Tom. I am happy I decided to take the time out from going back to work on site and that way incorporate a walk into my day and that morphed into the longer excursions. I was lucky growing up to have a Creek and a meadow at the end of our street. It was developed into a mall just before we moved to the States in 1966. Many hours were spent there as a youngster, likely the foundation for many years of enjoying nature once again.
Yes, Linda, i too had such a fortunate nature-foundation, spending a lot of time — due to my mother being sickly — as a kid at my aunt’s motel in the country (that was surrounded by beautiful areas of nature). Chasing frogs then… and today i enjoyed taking pics of a beautiful tree frog! 🙂
Wow! Such an amazing snapshot, it’s true that a genuine heart has no boundaries and doesn’t attach to man-made limitations.
Thank you for sharing
Glad you see something there (especially in the writing). Thanks and take care, Deepak. 🙂
Just had a conversation about how people get stuck, and when things don’t make sense they continue to try and make sense of the same old erroneous material no matter the evidence or reality.
Yes, it’s very sad, Paul. There’s a lot of that going around, like a contagious disease.
Yes, with no prevention or remediation.
Trying not to be rigid so that I can experience the universe to the fullest 👌
Good! 🙂 Don’t just do it via effort, but by effortlessly and passively observing.
I’ll definitely do that. I think I already started. Thank you sir 🤝