from the song “Heart of the Sunrise” by Yes:
Lost in their eyes as you hurry by
Counting the broken ties they decide
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Experiencing things, for most people, involves recognition and thought/thinking. Experiencing things, for most people most of the time, deals with experiences that seem to be separate from the “experiencer.” But the “experiencer” is really not something apart from the experience (though he or she seems to be separate). Without the experience, there is no “experiencer.” Most tend to look with full-blown separation and distance.
When people look at the stars, they are observing something that happened millions of years ago (which, of course, is due to the fact that it took the stars’ light millions of years to get to the Earth). So, essentially, they are looking at the past. And even when one sees things that are physically very close, one is still observing the past. Experiencing is, for survival purposes, often very useful; it often is a necessity for survival. However, merely depending on experiencing — and existing as experiencing — may not be very prudent. Merely remaining in that limited realm may be remaining in (and “as”) the past. Many cling to the apron strings of experience… and they are afraid to venture beyond that limited and separative realm. It is wise to often be experiencing things and it is wise to be beyond experiencing things. Immense wholeness is beyond experiencing (and all of the traditional separation, discrimination, psychological distance, isolation, and circumscription that goes with it).
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
gorgeous photo – for me when I am steeped in experiencing I lose my sense of self – it seems to me when I reflect afterwards that I sort of become whatever it is – hard to explain
Yes, Sara, when one, for instance, is looking at the beauty and the majesty of a huge oak tree, one’s sense of self may be in abeyance; that’s cool but it’s very temporary. Even a businessman, looking at all of the gold he has accumulated, can temporarily lose a sense of self while admiring it. Or a young child with a new toy can similarly lose the sense of self for a while. But take away the toy and things are where they were before. Depending on objects, be they natural or otherwise, indirectly (or directly) manifests a self. There may be a wholeness that does not depend upon anything; such wholeness has no cause and does not involve dependence. One does not need to go to nature — or the zoo — to get it. 😉
hmm… this is probably true as an inner experience but I would not equate a toy with a genuine merging with nature ( an outer experience – ‘both and’ – seems to me that both are part of one whole) – not for a second, but as a process of becoming all that is – don’t recognize what has happened until the experience inner or outer is over
Yes, Sara, a child with a toy is not the equivalent of a genuine merging with nature; i never said it was. However, the two, for many people, can indeed have some similar psychological effects and ramifications. Both, although they are not the same, can lead to dependence by the mind on extraneous factors.
And there may be no process of becoming “all that is,” because “all that is” is not part of a process or sequence involving achievement. (I do like your questioning and challenging nature of mind!) 😉
You are right – becoming part of all there is has nothing to do with achievement – can’t get there from here – don’t you think this is where we get into trouble with words – trying to express that which is inexpressible? And what I like Tom is that we have real conversations! And who cares if we don’t always agree? As a writer I don’t follow any blogs except the one I publish in weekly, and yours… I really look forward to your posts and then there are the pictures… oh, such joy.
Fascinating… looking at the past thru stars. 🌟
Yes, it’s nice for a while but i am not into just existing in (and “as”) the past. 😉
What a deep and thorough perspective of manifestation Tom – “Many cling to the apron strings of experience… and they are afraid to venture beyond that limited and separative realm.” So thus, what is now has already been?
Thanks much, Kym! 😊
The now is constituted of the past, the present, and the future.
🤗💖😊👍🏼🌞
Very deep Tom – not always easy to separate the two is it? I look at the mushrooms and see a bundt cake with a light glaze icing on it. Maybe I am hungry?
Yes, Linda, it’s rather deep! And yes, you may indeed be hungry! 😁
Very interesting post Tom, and the picture so beautiful!
I’m so very glad that you liked it, Marcela! 😊
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