The mind may be a prisoner of its own delusions and misconceptions. To extricate the mind from the quagmire (that it is likely in) may require much more than mere reactions. Mere reactions are likely just extensions of the confusion, disorder, uncertainty, and disarray that the mind is (in). In other words, if the mind is disorderly, who is going to make it orderly?… Will it be another part of that same mind assuming to have (or be) authority or order?
Though we all have to react… merely reacting may not be a profound solution regarding fundamentally existing beyond the disorder. If we perceive our reactions without judgment, ideologies, beliefs, and images of what others have taught… that very perceiving may be beyond the realm of mere reacting. If the mind ceases to depend on standard and ordinary reactions, perhaps it may undergo a transformation wherein few reactions continue to contribute to the misconceptions and delusions that it existed as (in the past). Looking without merely having obtrusions of thought occur as reactions, however, may be easier said than done. The very way we observe things is often heavily tarnished with reactions that we are — for the most part — unaware of. A mind of pristine, untainted “observing,” however, goes beyond being merely rather mechanical and robotic. Such a mind is where true joy and true living exist. Rather crass, robotic minds — though they may say otherwise — are divorced from deep joy and insight. Deep joy and insight are not mere projections (as reactions) from a heavily conditioned mind. Deep joy and true wisdom aren’t part of what must depend; they are spontaneous and not fabricated.
It may very well be that the best joy, the best insights, and the best perceptions… are not merely what are sought (through and “as” reaction). Often, at the precise moment that one seeks to be joyous, joy is not. Most of us have relied, as we were taught, on time to become joyful and wise. However, the most profound joy and the deepest wisdom may not involve a factor that takes, requires, or involves time. Deep joy and deep wisdom are timeless and are not of the realm of mere acquisition (with and by) delayed reactions (about patterns) in time. However, in “time” the wisdom of compassion intelligently acts to help others.
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[Note: The front leg has a tannish, round area under the knee… that is its hearing mechanism. Since it has one on the left and right legs, it can hear in stereo.]
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Beautiful post 🙏
…and profound, as usual!
Much appreciated, Michael! 😊
Thank you much, Satyam! 😉
That’s an imazing piece of information – hearing in stereo? wow… I think you are talking about the difference between REACTING and RESPONDING HER. The I get hooked by something positive or negative I react …. responding requires allowing whatever to sit without judgement – when I was young I reacted and still do with wonder or sometimes if I get hooked by what I consider a stupid opinion. But happily I now know the difference even if I react, rather than respond… and can ask myself what hooked me if my reaction is negative!
amazing photo as usual! Those colors – the flower -all of it
Thanks, Sara! Hearing in stereo, when predators are about looking to eat you for a snack, is very beneficial. You can judge their distance from you and the direction they are coming from… which informs you which way to leap. 😊
yes! practical of course but isn’t there something wondrous about hearing in stereo? Of course in this horrid world most of the time I am glad that I do not!
Hearing in stereo sure has its beautiful aspect. But the news these days, with Democracy, the Constitution, and Freedom in jeopardy… i’m rather sick of hearing about that.
I’m beyond exhaustion
Yes, amazing and clear photo.
Thank you, Stephen! 😊
Not only it this a wonderful macro photo, but I always like when I learn something Tom. No wonder they are a bit “jumpy” if they hear you or others approaching their space. A beautiful canopy to chill amongst the beautiful colors.
Hearing in stereo, Linda, is very beneficial when it enables you to know which way to jump (from a predator that is approaching you). And a lot of people do not realize it, but a lot of these Katydids move to the opposite end of a vertical branch or stem when they hear you approaching… so that when you arrive, you do not even see them. Viva for stereo-separate-knee-hearing-membranes! 😊
Nice close up and observation of how it hears, Tom
Yes, thank you, Siobhan. 😊