Most of us look with (and “as”) separation. Within almost each of us, there psychologically exists what we assume to be a “central I” that assumes that it is in control of its thoughts (from a separative distance). This so-called “central I” additionally fundamentally sees things (as if from a point) with a radius between it and the external world.
Love does not readily occur in a mind that is fundamentally based on separation. Psychologically, the perceiver is not separate from the perceived. Separation is often reinforced by fragmentation, conflict, and non-holistic perceiving. A wise mind of profound intelligence may transcend such fragmentary, separative, and divisive psychological behaviors. Such a mind is not fundamentally stuck in conditioned disconnection and illusory partition.
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.
I have a number of interesting hobbies, such as fossil collecting, sport-kite flying, 3D and 2D close-up photography, holography, and pets. Most of all, I am into holistic self-awareness, spontaneous insight, unconventional observation/direct perception, mindfulness, meditation, world peace, non-fragmentation, population control, vegetarianism, and green energy.
To follow my unique Blog of "Nature Photos and Mindfulness Sayings" and for RSS feeds to my new posts, please access at: tom8pie.com (On my regular Blog posting pages, for additional information and to follow, simply click on the "tack icon" at the upper right corner... or, on my profile page, you can click on the "Thomas Peace" icon.)
Stay mindful, understanding, and caring!...
Oh that beautiful butterfly…. OH Tom..Last night I had an experience that is painfully common during the summer… I walk out into the dusk as shots ring out over and over destroying the evening chorus.. run back to the house to get my ear protectors so that at least I can enjoy the golden lights, the greening BUT no sound…worse my body feels the deadly intrusion of bullets sound or not and this is when I cannot transcend my misery. LOUD NOISE destroys cells in our body for the doer and the receiver – no possibility of loving for me.
Are they target practicing, shooting critters, or both? Oh my, that seems really mindless. Sorry that you have to be aware of such barbarism, Sara. Ignore them the best you can.
Oh gosh – most are shooting in the DARK just to make NOISE – some to kill animals out of season – no one gives a damn… the kind of noise that destroys brain/body cells – theirs too – last night high schoolers put on a show screaming and hiking horns for more than an hour – and it will get worse with coming heat wave and then the dreaded EXPLOSIVE 4th of July weekend that celebrates America’s freedom to do exactly what it pleases at anyone’s expense – what a joke
Thank you for the words Tom, but more so for the beauty of this Red Admiral Butterfly in the vibrant flowers. I have only seen one Swallowtail and a handful of Cabbage Whites so far this Spring – maybe next week’s heat wave will bring out the butterflies.
Thank you, Linda! I saw one Yellow Swallowtail so far, and i ran into the house to get one of my cameras. Of course, when i came back out it was gone. If you go out photographing, please stay hydrated and don’t stay out there too long in the heat! š
That’s a shame Tom – I know it would have been a stellar photo. Thank you – I am not looking forward to this heat wave at all and I hope it does not bring severe weather along with the heat spikes. I likely will not go out three days next week or go earlier than my usual time. I still go out fairly early even though I’m retired – calmer, more peaceful and critters are out foraging then.
Be careful in the upcoming heat, Linda. It’s going to be crazy hot. The news is always filled with terrible reports about floods, heat waves, tornados and such… yet there are plenty of climate-change deniers out there. Ludicrous! Drink a lot each day.
Thanks Tom – I got in a lot of steps this weekend (and a lot of photos too to use in upcoming post). I knew that I will not be walking much this week … this is extreme heat and if I’m out early it likely will be to do some watering. The grass will be brown and dead … not great for “firecrackers in the neighborhood”. Hope we get some rain before the 4th of July holiday. I try to drink a lot of water – my parents never let me have pop growing up, just milk and juice (to avoid cavities, although juice will give you cavities if it is sweet), so I don’t mind filling up on water.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Oh that beautiful butterfly…. OH Tom..Last night I had an experience that is painfully common during the summer… I walk out into the dusk as shots ring out over and over destroying the evening chorus.. run back to the house to get my ear protectors so that at least I can enjoy the golden lights, the greening BUT no sound…worse my body feels the deadly intrusion of bullets sound or not and this is when I cannot transcend my misery. LOUD NOISE destroys cells in our body for the doer and the receiver – no possibility of loving for me.
Are they target practicing, shooting critters, or both? Oh my, that seems really mindless. Sorry that you have to be aware of such barbarism, Sara. Ignore them the best you can.
Oh gosh – most are shooting in the DARK just to make NOISE – some to kill animals out of season – no one gives a damn… the kind of noise that destroys brain/body cells – theirs too – last night high schoolers put on a show screaming and hiking horns for more than an hour – and it will get worse with coming heat wave and then the dreaded EXPLOSIVE 4th of July weekend that celebrates America’s freedom to do exactly what it pleases at anyone’s expense – what a joke
As E.E. Cummings wrote: “Ain’t freedom grand?!” š
freedom is like conservation – tricky words that desperately nee unpacking.
Wow so beautiful and amazing capture Tom! The colors are beautiful!
Thank you, Marcela, and keep up with your excellent photography! š
Thank you for the words Tom, but more so for the beauty of this Red Admiral Butterfly in the vibrant flowers. I have only seen one Swallowtail and a handful of Cabbage Whites so far this Spring – maybe next week’s heat wave will bring out the butterflies.
Thank you, Linda! I saw one Yellow Swallowtail so far, and i ran into the house to get one of my cameras. Of course, when i came back out it was gone. If you go out photographing, please stay hydrated and don’t stay out there too long in the heat! š
That’s a shame Tom – I know it would have been a stellar photo. Thank you – I am not looking forward to this heat wave at all and I hope it does not bring severe weather along with the heat spikes. I likely will not go out three days next week or go earlier than my usual time. I still go out fairly early even though I’m retired – calmer, more peaceful and critters are out foraging then.
Be careful in the upcoming heat, Linda. It’s going to be crazy hot. The news is always filled with terrible reports about floods, heat waves, tornados and such… yet there are plenty of climate-change deniers out there. Ludicrous! Drink a lot each day.
Thanks Tom – I got in a lot of steps this weekend (and a lot of photos too to use in upcoming post). I knew that I will not be walking much this week … this is extreme heat and if I’m out early it likely will be to do some watering. The grass will be brown and dead … not great for “firecrackers in the neighborhood”. Hope we get some rain before the 4th of July holiday. I try to drink a lot of water – my parents never let me have pop growing up, just milk and juice (to avoid cavities, although juice will give you cavities if it is sweet), so I don’t mind filling up on water.
Very cool Tom!
Thank you, MT! If you get a chance, check out the famous poet E.E. Cummings’ art at:
eecummingsart.com š
You’re very welcome my dear friend Tom! #LoveYourWorks