Many of us pigeonhole things far too excessively. We see things as they are assigned in preconceived categories. So, really, we may not be “seeing” much at all but, rather, are identifying via remembered attributes. Most of us tend to perceive via fragmentary images that have been incorporated into (and “as”) our brains since early youth. With these rather superficial accumulations, we look… which really may not be deep “seeing” at all. Instead of perceiving freshly and holistically, we identify and categorize according to how we were molded (in a very secondhand way).
The robot-like mind may function like an automaton, assuming that it is living, but all the while it is robotically repeating what was poured into it (as it is bereft of deep insight, compassion, and holistic bliss). We need to go much deeper than what we were molded to exist as.
My Blog primarily consists of close-up nature photos (that I've taken locally) combined with original holistic-truth oriented prose and/or poetry involving mindfulness/awareness. I love nature and I love understanding the whole (not merely the parts and the details). I'm a retired teacher of the multiply handicapped.
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On the other hand, there are many things we see but never notice because we have no concept of them. That is, when you have a name or identity for something, you’re more likely to see it. Eagles, for instance, are something more than a big black bird … they have unique ways of flying and appearance.
Yes, Jnana but one does not see a big deficit in humanity regarding recognizing separate things, as we were trained; rather, few of us perceive holistically and deeply, beyond the so-called separative fragments. Too many of us are marionettes of the cause and effect primitive modes that were instilled in (and “as”) us.
So we can see the parts and have a sagacious mind that also goes beyond merely robotically seeing the fragments. 😉
Tom, I don’t think most people “see” much of anything at all. this happens to me when i am squirrel caging – round and round on the same old wheel – but at least I recognize my own crazy person – and that interrupts the pattern. You’re right on – anyone that can photograph like you can sees… and this last photo of yours says it all! sometimes it’s just relief to read a post like yours…
Well, Sara, they recognize what they were taught to recognize. Then their brains — just as they were trained — label, categorize, and pigeonhole. It’s what computers can easily do these days.
We need to go beyond a mechanistic lifestyle. 😉
There is no “how.” The moment there is a definite method, the dynamics of it are nullified. There is no path to the pathless.
It seems difficult because we robotically move from one motive and method to the next (depending on time).
so true – you literally can’t get there from here – the divine simply opens the door whenever we need her/him too – all we can do is crete the space and stay as awake as possible – yes?
Well, the sacrosanct is formless and beyond patterns, so it’s not a he or a she. He and she are just reproductive attributes of reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and many other creatures. Awareness is important but we cannot create space. There is no legitimate controller who can make space happen. But we can psychologically die to many of the endless motives (that we are), which may enable space to happen (possibly).
I loved this post… and your photograph is extraordinary. The older I get; the closer I get to whatever comes next; the more I seem to be able to ‘see’. I find myself in a state of wonder so often now at the tiniest details: raindrops on a window; a weed growing in the cement; a spider industriously building its web; an ant on a rock (🙂). There is so much to see when we slow down and just look…🙏💕
Thanks, Patti!
Yes, we need to slow down and just look (with a perception that goes much deeper than what we were taught). The race is won by going slowly. Wonderment is a blissful, beautiful thing… and it doesn’t cost money. 😊
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
On the other hand, there are many things we see but never notice because we have no concept of them. That is, when you have a name or identity for something, you’re more likely to see it. Eagles, for instance, are something more than a big black bird … they have unique ways of flying and appearance.
SoundEagle is certainly not black but colourful.
Yes, Jnana but one does not see a big deficit in humanity regarding recognizing separate things, as we were trained; rather, few of us perceive holistically and deeply, beyond the so-called separative fragments. Too many of us are marionettes of the cause and effect primitive modes that were instilled in (and “as”) us.
So we can see the parts and have a sagacious mind that also goes beyond merely robotically seeing the fragments. 😉
Tom, I don’t think most people “see” much of anything at all. this happens to me when i am squirrel caging – round and round on the same old wheel – but at least I recognize my own crazy person – and that interrupts the pattern. You’re right on – anyone that can photograph like you can sees… and this last photo of yours says it all! sometimes it’s just relief to read a post like yours…
Well, Sara, they recognize what they were taught to recognize. Then their brains — just as they were trained — label, categorize, and pigeonhole. It’s what computers can easily do these days.
We need to go beyond a mechanistic lifestyle. 😉
You are so right! But How?
There is no “how.” The moment there is a definite method, the dynamics of it are nullified. There is no path to the pathless.
It seems difficult because we robotically move from one motive and method to the next (depending on time).
so true – you literally can’t get there from here – the divine simply opens the door whenever we need her/him too – all we can do is crete the space and stay as awake as possible – yes?
Well, the sacrosanct is formless and beyond patterns, so it’s not a he or a she. He and she are just reproductive attributes of reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and many other creatures. Awareness is important but we cannot create space. There is no legitimate controller who can make space happen. But we can psychologically die to many of the endless motives (that we are), which may enable space to happen (possibly).
I loved this post… and your photograph is extraordinary. The older I get; the closer I get to whatever comes next; the more I seem to be able to ‘see’. I find myself in a state of wonder so often now at the tiniest details: raindrops on a window; a weed growing in the cement; a spider industriously building its web; an ant on a rock (🙂). There is so much to see when we slow down and just look…🙏💕
Thanks, Patti!
Yes, we need to slow down and just look (with a perception that goes much deeper than what we were taught). The race is won by going slowly. Wonderment is a blissful, beautiful thing… and it doesn’t cost money. 😊
Obstacles may seem insurmountable to humans, but this ant has traversed the Grand Canyon seamlessly. Great shot Tom!
Yes, Linda, ants have their own remarkable triumphs… and, unlike humans, they don’t pollute and ruin the earth. 😊
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