Thoughts are, as one has said many times, symbolic representations. The word “butterfly” is not the butterfly. The word “frog” is not the frog. Words are often necessary, but most of us are almost constantly churning with thought after thought, even though these thoughts are just fragmentary symbols. Symbols are tokens for the real thing; they are not the real thing, (be they words or pictorial images in the brain). In our past — in school — we were spoon-fed with words and the symbols within books (as if they were the real thing). We were instructed (for years) to believe in that symbolic/artificial methodology, accepting it as real and true.
A life that habitually clings to one series of symbols after another is, unfortunately, clinging to representations that are (in a big way) superficial. Endlessly clinging to symbols may take away a lot of the true joy, compassion, and true relationship in one’s life. Unfortunately, remaining mostly as symbols and as mental patterns consisting of symbols can tend to make the mind operate in (and “as”) stagnation. Such stagnation consists of sorrow. It is sorrow.
Instead of foolishly trying to escape from this sorrow by means of alcohol, recreational drugs, or expensive vacations, one can likely do much better by not running to outside (purchased) modalities. We can look joyfully just by looking without merely seeing through a mental screen of habitual symbols, labels, and distinctions. “Looking simply” does not require a lot of mental effort, energy, and technique. Since no effort is needed, no time is needed. But we tend to habitually and endlessly employ effort and time. We need not always take time pigeonholing everything with symbolic labels, categorizations, and separate differentiations. Going beyond constant, fragmentary symbolism, and psychological distance is joyous and liberating. In doing so, love is involved… so love then flowers. Words, as rather dead symbols, are protrusions from the past (i.e., from past learned memory). The living present is not of this learned, old past; it is fresh and beyond the old adulteration. Real meditation, without all of the silly techniques and time-oriented methodologies, is the freshness and joy of perception beyond the stale and secondhand.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
For years I’ve thought the fall (change) of mankind wasn’t eating the fruit, but the naming of the animals and flora where humans slipped into a fixed and measured reality. Life is built on arbitrary assumptions, whereas a bird isn’t really a bird but a function of nature. What is it really, beyond genome and labels?
Interesting, Jim, that you mention a bird. Bonobo apes, unlike our ape-like species, tend to be more on the compassionate side, displaying a lot of empathy and deep concern for others (including other species). I once read about a Bonobo that came upon an insjured bird… and it cradled and caringly took care of that bird until it healed. Bonobos, it seems, tend to see the creatures of life as one family, one wholeness. Why can’t we? 😉
Great article 🌹🌹
Thank you, Satyam. 😊
“The living present is not of this learned, old past; it is fresh and beyond the old adulteration.” You said it!!!
Yes, Sara, and most of us exist in (and “as”) the old past (way more than we need to). We cling to (and “are”) the old adulteration. 😉
Muy hermosa, bellísima Tom!!
Thank you, Marcela! 😊
This was very deep Tom … back-to-school learning is not just for kids. This is a beautiful shot of this Pearl Crescent Butterfly – those antennae seem to sparkle in this macros shot.
Thank you, Linda. 😊 It’s getting pretty cold this weekend but i think the insects will be able to take it. The corn is turning dry fast already and even some tree leaves are starting to fall. I sure hope that this winter will be mild and dictator-free. 😉
The blog post touches on the idea that we often get caught up in symbolic representations rather than experiencing the true essence of life. Going beyond constant symbolism and psychological distance to find joy and liberation is poignant. It’s a reminder to be present and not get entangled in habitual symbols and labels. Thanks for sharing this thought-provoking content!
On Thu, 5 Sept 2024 at 14:14, Tom’s Nature-up-close Photography and
Much appreciated, MMJB! 😊