That space, that limited, cadaverous space, that separates most people from what they see (and are)… it may nourish a callous indifference (though they may insist otherwise). When limited mental space exists between the perceiver and that which is perceived, then a fabricated center manifests a false radius. This is what allows hatred and indifference to take hold. This is what manifests as secondhand mediocrity and unfeeling psychological cadaverousness.
That learned, absorbed, embedded psychological space must end (without clinging to the apron-strings of tradition, customs, and learned habits). True compassion does not flower with restricted, fragmentary, small, isolated perception. It radiates beyond the ice-cold limited. Stagnant perception is the result of its own illusory psychological cage. In that dead cage, it remains (and claims to be free)… while it decorates and reinforces that cage with superficialities. That stagnation depends on (and is) the cage. (There never was a true center in control of thoughts and emotions. It — i.e., the supposed controller — is a learned protrusion of thought/thinking.) Real joy and love of life can exist beyond limitation based on falsities. Please transcend beyond psychological separation and existing as a consciousness with a limited radius based on a phony center.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
These days I am caught momentarily by golden falling leaves or witch hazel fingers – catapulted into the present by nature and by one tiny green frog who still lives in my pond -BUT I keep getting stuck – it feels like Something is pressing down on me – our indifference to nature is a thorn that continues to bleed … who is that frog? S/he’s beautiful – frogs are the perfect image for the buddha mind – a mind I don’t possess.
Well, my suggestion, Sara, is not to judge that you didn’t attain it, or can’t attain it. It’s not what can merely be attained, anyway. It’s not just another fragment or component of a cause-and-effect continuum. So don’t be concerned about whether you attained it or not. You’re close to nature; that is immense in itself! The rest may be poppyrot anyway. So just smile, be at one with the order that is there, and don’t try to soar to some fictional possession or mental realm. 😉
‘be at one’ with what is! Thanks for the encouragement Tom…. I’m enjoying the leaves but so many fall prematurely now – too inept ridden – found a spot yesterday where the ducks were enjoying the sun.. I watched them bob up and down in the still waters – they will soon be migrating… how about you? You are close to the river – yes? you must see migrating birds a lot.
Leaves are falling here too, Sara, and we are getting some much needed rain. It’s been dry for a good while. Yes, there are birds here heading south, but i also see geese heading north. Hopefully, it will be a mild winter. It’s difficult now for those people south who were affected by Hurruicane Helene; a lot of flooding occurred. Not being in a hurricane zone is, here, a very lucky thing. Keep enjoying nature and all of its blessings!
Oh, glad that you are getting rain – and yes, it’s so hard for so many now and we don’t know what’s next. the geese are gone – but the ducks are still here.. Tonight I heard a chirp just before dark right here at the bedroom window. The cardinals have been away, nesting in the field all summer and just returned tonight! They know the season is changing and made sure i knew they were back. I went out to check the feeder in the front of the house and sure enough it was empty! Chirping indignantly it seemed to me while I hurriedly replaced seed one swooped down before I got back in the house. They prefer to eat seed on the ground and I indulge them occasionally – but not too much – otherwise they bug me by coming to whatever window i happen to be closest to – how do they know???? I have given up asking. Only nature knows! hurricanes do hit here – and oh, how I hope for a mild winter too but with so much precipitation in n/east I think it’s probably unrealistic….ugh.
Please be careful with bird feeders, Sara. With the Bird Flu going around, i’d shy away from tube feeders and similar feeders. Actually, throwing seed on the ground may be the safest thing for the birds. Just don’t overdo it… or mice happen in abundance!
actually that’s what I do during the winter – but not enough for the mice to feast on at night.. I have only one bird feeder and it looks like my cabin!… maybe I should try to clean it just in case… thanks for the reminder – I do not have strange birds visiting just winter regulars – do you suppose the makes a difference?
Winter regulars are probably OK but who knows. There are other bird diseases that birds give to each other at bird feeders and that’s why i quit using bird feeders. Their feces and their beak emissions and eye emissions can spread diseases. I wish it wasn’t that way but it is. No crows in our area any longer nor seagulls. Bird flu and West Nile virus seem to be why. It’s definitely not windmills killing them, like insane (fossil fuel-money-taking) Trump claims.
actually windmills do kill birds – but bird flu is worse – a warming climate confuses migrators – and habitat loss is perhaps the worst threat of all – i don’t know about you but I have tons of birds here during the summer but few visit my feeder – most are warblers – of course the lakes are full of water birds…most of my regulars are here year round so I am banking on that.. your caveat is important though.
I live near tons of windmills, and there have been no dead birds around any of them.
I am not surprised because it is usually (maybe all?) compromised birds that run into windmills – to follow that thought through to t – he was using a few bird deaths as his argument – unbelievable crap
Yes, unbelievable crap from the convicted rapist and felon, after his pockets get stuffed with dirty $ from the nature-killing fossil fuel industries. So sad!
Tom, ‘sad’ is too kind a word – Terrifying maybe? I know that I am at the point where I am desperate to have this thing OVER – to get beyond this endless waiting..into god knows what next horror…
Tom here is my reply to your post 10/10 – they wouldn’t;t let me post it “true joy seldom comes invited”… “do nothing” – it either makes an appearance or doesn’t – and you nail it! Wonderful Tom! Was thinking about joy two days ago – Beautiful day I decided to take my little dogs with me to see the trees on the mountain – of course their agenda was different than mine and they spent their time with their noses to the ground while I followed them and looked to trees and sky – hours passed meandering -it started to get chilly so we left – it was only later reflecting that I realized I had experienced a joyful afternoon with two tiny beloveds and trees I love…Joy is a gift. Yes?
Always good stuff Tom! Very cool! #GoodWorks
Good to read, M.T.! Keep probing and pondering.
My pleasure Tom! #LoveYourWorks
It’s best to be “real” in all aspects of your life. Tom, I love your little frog, all tucked up onto this leaf nd yes, it is so quiet, that it looks almost like a statue.
Yes, Linda, but it seems that most people are so divorced from reality. They mostly (habitually) live in (and “as”) a lot of verbal symbols (which are virtual and not real whatsoever). Tell them that and they will laugh at you.
That little frog cracks me up!
People are laughable and pitiful at the same time. I feel like an old soul so often Tom. Yes, the frog did remind me of a Buddha statue, motionless and solemn looking. 🙂
Yes, a lot of people are laughble and pitiful at the same time. It’s sad but true. Buddha statue, yes, but real meditation need not involve motionlessness or a statue-like pose, thank goodness. That motionlessness is another falsity that many gullible, silly people swallow.
We both have frogs on the mind! 🙂