Understanding the whole cannot occur merely by the sequential movement of fragments. Parts can never perceive the whole or deeply be in communion with it. And, unfortunately, it is all too easy for the mind to play tricks on itself; for instance, it can stick to the notion of a controlling center (called “me” or “I”) that it thinks is the essence of itself. From this supposed “center,” it seems to operate. However, this so-called center is another fragment, a learned obtrusion of thought/thinking, and dependence upon it creates limitation and circumscription. However, almost all of us reinforce it… usually unaware that that is what we are actually doing. We feel safe and smart by doing so, but (in reality) it is neither safe nor intelligent. A false center creates separative distance and boundaries; a false center contributes to conflict (internally and externally), which creates havoc in the world.
Only a subtle, sensitive, keenly perceptive mind can go beyond the notion of a central ego, a central controller (that seems separate from the thoughts it supposedly thinks… that seems separate from others). Such a perceptive mind is then of compassion and wholeness. It no longer is wasting its energy on illusory separations, divisions, isolating beliefs, and absorbed false concepts. Freedom is not circumscribed… (and a psychological center has a limited radius). What is limited is not in true communion with eternity and boundlessness.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Good article well done
Thank you, Waleed! 😊
“What is limited is not in true communion with eternity and boundlessness.”…. I don’t know what eternity means… the fungus you picture is in dynamic relationship always changing and aren’t we too? But I have to say I am totally stuck this time of year… waking in the pre-dawn to enjoy the sky show and the arrival of the first birds – my favorite winter pastime – i feel in tune with everything that is – which disappears the second I engage in research with blaring headlines of some new atrocity or maybe buying ‘stuff’ – I am forced to remind myself that I have pieces of all this inside me too but I still can’t make the leap and admit it. Ugh. being human is hard.
Just stay in tune and in harmony with the nature that is around you, Sara… and you will be doing fantastically. And please don’t make a struggle out of things; just enjoy each moment for its own intrinsic beauty.
The news is nuts these days. We need to be an oasis in all of the dark insanity! 😉
When insanity becomes the norm nature’s sanity/complexity becomes our refuge – you and I know that…. thankfully.
Yes, Sara, the order of nature is what we can rely on. 😉 Modern man has forgotten all about the great Earth Mother.
PS LOVE that picture – what fungus is this??? Fungus like nothing else attach us to the reality that life is constantly changing forms…
Might be a Mazegill mushroom but i’m not sure.
Fungus Maze is amazing Tom – I thought as I looked at it, it was a type of larval explosion in a pond. 🙂
It’s definitely an awesome fungus type, Linda! 😉 They seem to have a preference for Oak trees. Fungi and plants sure have wonderful symbiotic relationships that have been going on for millions of years.
I love how your picture brings your message home. I can make out fragments in that maze but I also see it as a whole 🙂