True spiritual search lies beyond mere motives; then somehow it magically transcends what search is constituted of.
The pyramid of life (depicted on every U.S. dollar bill) has the all-seeing, all-perceptive eye at the very top. And your wise men don’t know how it feels to be thick as a brick.
The past and the future seem so very different (to our limited, unsophisticated eyes).
Eliot eloquently, poetically wrote: “Time past and time future allow but a little consciousness.”
When you listen to music, are you really separate from the tones and the melody?
If we marginalize the environment, neglecting it and being lackadaisical about it, it will come upon us with a vengeance, with uncontrollable fires, pandemics, tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods. Waking up too late, mankind, isn’t waking up.
The beautiful flower doesn’t care if you stop to notice it or not… and that is part of its innate beauty.
Not that it’s the worst thing in the world (by any means), but exclusively clinging to the orthodox religion that you were born with may be like feeding from a formula-bottle for your entire life.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
The formula bottle is a great metaphor, Tom. I like that
The majority of adults out there, Jim, are still (believe it or not) formula-feeding. Being stuck in a groove isn’t living.
Amber stone in the making – oh how very very beautiful Tom – and the lichen is so green warming my heart on this minus 4 degree winter Maine day…
Funny you should mention organized religion – it’s something (and surely better than nothing) but if you never move beyond those parameters a person is often stuck in one perspective – genuine seekers need to explore unknown territories from my point of view and a period of spiritual denial is probably an intrinsic part of that process – anyway I was just writing about the importance of not throwing out anything – the religion of your birth or its opposite, family stories, fairy tales, myth and personal experience – all are part of the religion that becomes your own – or at least that’s become my personal reality.
Very good points, Sara. 🙂
Personally, i don’t fall back to the Roman Catholicism that they tried to indoctrinate me with (or “as”). Even as a kid, i realized that God could not merely be held in a little box of gold and that they had the whole damn thing all wrong.
And when they say that when the 4 current gospels were chosen at the Council of Nicea (in ancient Rome) after the 4 gospels were already all the most popular… that, too, is a lie. They killed and tortured vast numbers of people who liked the Gospel of Thomas (i.e., the only early written gospel). I kind of like the G. of T. best, but like so many things, i move on and am wisely independent.
(By the way, the Gosp. of John was written as a rebuttal to the G. of T., kind of like Trump saying that he won the election.) Corruption has been going on for eons.
I as not raised Catholic so I don’t have those issues – the gospel of Thomas was a revelation to me as were some of the others – one has a story of Mary being divine – i tried the church but it seemed to be all about men – and I needed female image of divine which is why I love the early (140 AD) gospel story of her divinity… the church as a whole doesn’t seem to have much to offer but I am reclaiming my Italian roots and seeing beyond catholics or any organized religion into all that nature has to offer using the Native American cycles of the year/celtic too (have these roots too) as a kind of template – I just do what feels right – being beaten over the head by any religion revolts me… so believe me iI get it!!!!!
So good that you get it, Sara! Just go with what is felt inside… not with any myths, beliefs, or fabrications of thought/thinking.
🙂🌲🌲
Tom, I’ve been writing my thoughts down since the start of the New Year. Trying to slow down and look beyond the expected. Enjoy your posts.
Thank you, stef. Yes, look beyond the expected; look beyond the ordinary and superficial. 🙂
Stunning image!
And good food for ponderings. I personally am not a “searcher” – I am instead open, receptive, intrigued by different perspectives – luckily no one ever tried to conform me. And indeed, I become one with music rhythms at times (not all music … and not predictable … receptivity clearly a factor! Again, a matter of opening.)
Great to read, Jazz! Stay beyond regular “searching” and remain beyond the conformity of stale patterns and molds. Stay open! 🙂
“The beautiful flower doesn’t care if you stop to notice it or not… and that is part of its innate beauty.” I like that takeaway Tom.
Thank you, Linda! It, of course, applies to trees and a lot of other things too! 🙂
Yes, trees are wonderful – we’d be lost without them and without trees, no amber either.
Yes… exactly! 🌲🌲🌳🌳
Reading line after line, I’m just sitting here nodding, agreeing with everything you said, Tom. You’re a wise one. 🙂