When you look at nature, if you are merely looking through the patterns of space and distance, are you really looking at all?
A free and wise mind that is not dependent upon things of disorder, needs neither alcohol nor drugs.
Some wise scientists have said that the truth of how the universe works probably exists far from what we have surmised and discovered. And some wise men realize that true spirituality exists far from what mundane, organized religions have maintained.
If you remain in (and “as”) mediocre acceptances all of your life… then it may be that when you die, you are just a little bit more dead.
It may be that only physically and tangibly helping others is any real form of prayer… and that praying with mere thoughts and words isn’t really praying at all.
It is easy to pass the truth by and ignore it; it is easy to see everything through separative eyes of fragmentation, division, and distance (just as you were miseducated to do).
That happy baby isn’t separate from what one is; that injured dog isn’t separate from what one is.
It may be that gross immaturity likes to fly around the world in aircraft that spew inordinate amounts of fossil fuels into the atmosphere, (thus harming all of life)… in order to see “beautiful” natural sites (with patterns that are wonderful eye-candy).
I’ve been waiting for coffee at this table for over 20 minutes, and still no coffee!
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Oh, Tom – this is super toad! I love him!
I wonder about religion …. I am sort of a nature mystic going my own way but I have been influenced by my Christian roots, Indigenous roots, Italian roots, and most of all nature and all seem to have pieces of genuine Mystery attached. For example, in Christian thought if you read the early non canonized gospels you get a very different picture from the stuff that comes later – sometimes we have to dig – I agree wholeheartedly that prayer is about action but I also think prayers can fly through the air. Love these posts!
Yes, i have a very eclectic sort of spirituality too… and i predominantly rely on my own insights (rather than depending on others). (And not that the insights are “mine,” ownership-wise.)
I am appreciative of the early Gospel of Thomas, whose readers were all butchered and killed by the government-run/orthodoxy church. Amen.
I am also appreciative of the wisdom poets, like Walt Whitman (a true nature-mystic), E.E. Cummings, T.S. Eliot, Wallace Stevens, and Stephen Crane… et al. 🌲🌲🌳😃
You and I are on a similar page – funny you should mention the Gospel of Thomas – one that actually makes sense…. Personal insight comes out of our experience – nothing could be more authentic
Exactly! 🙂
Several strands here tugging at me … and that toad! He suggests patience waiting for what’s “coming” (maybe coffee …)
But w/o needing to wait, I’ll note that I “connect” rather than “pray” – sometimes I initiate connection and other times I respond to another’s energies; “another” includes the collective aka Spirit. For me, it’s about opening to receive and incorporate what comes more than asking for anything or vowing anything.
Yes, being open is key, but not to receive anything, just being open purely and simply (beyond even motive). And, for me too, it’s the “doing”; helping others — and the environment too — needing help… by rolling up one’s sleeves and doing. 🙂🌲🌲
Good things come to those who wait? I hope your coffee came eventually. I’m hoping the toad in your photo is not a Colorado River toad. Their skin produces a psychedelic type substance. Maybe that’s why people shouldn’t consider kissing toads. 😉
Well, Siobhan, it’s not a Colorado River Toad, so i can kiss it all i want, sort-of-kind-of. Maybe it will turn into a gorgeous blond or brunette! 😁
“ then it may be that when you die, you are just a little bit more dead.”
I had a very vivid dream last night that I was wide awake, that my wife was stirring in the bed next to me—then she shook me to wake me up. Seems as though during my dream I was snoring really loud, but I honestly was laying there thinking I was wide awake. Sound familiar?
I really relate personally to your first paragraph. Here’s what I feel. When you look at a quarry, a clear cut, or some other man made mess, it is chaotic and barren, out of order, disheveled. But everyone on the planet can be shown a mountain range, a forest, a river valley with all the trees and grasses randomly and chaotically scattered about and it always looks beautiful. You’d never think to criticize it or rearrange it. It’s always perfect. Why is that? Because it’s me.
Jim, humans, as you know, tend to make a lot of things barren. That is why i was never overly fond of large cities and metropolitan areas… too much empty cement, too much lifeless concrete. Like that Joni Mitchell song with the lyrics of… “They paved paradise to put up a parking lot.” 😉
Regarding praying with words only, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to…” is, for me a lazy, grating, and tiresome rote expressions of condolence. If I ever get to the point where I need condolences, spare me the prayers and instead bring me a tuna noodle casserole.
Prayers are words, Pstachowski, and words (whether we like it or not) are symbolic, representative, fragmentary, symbols. Symbols and icons do not put food in your belly or help the environment get better. The environment will improve when we actually do things to improve it; praying for it to improve is a waste of energy. 😉
Agree. The same goes for society. Instead of praying for the refugees coming to our city, I knit them hats and scarves.
That knitting is real prayer-in-action! So awesome! 🧡
Good reflexion Tom!
The open mind and free mind, and love energy.
Thank you so very much, Marcela! 🙂
The question is “How was the coffee when it arrived?”
He toad me that it was very good! 🐸
Well, patience if a virtue – possess it if you can. That was an old rhyme I learned years ago. I like your toad and he looks patient and I’ll bet when you blinked he was drumming his “fingers” on the table in a very slightly agitated mood. 🙂
As was mentioned to Michael (above), my little, warty friend toad me that once the coffee arrived, it was very good! 🐸
You blog and pictures are so amazing!