(Two photos this Halloween time)
Existing beyond mediocrity occurs when perception sees deeply, beyond the run-of-the-mill indifference and superficiality. To merely dwell in (and “as”) words — which are sequential, fragmentary symbols — as if they are the real thing… is accepting shadows as substantial, legitimate realities.
To mostly live as sequential, fragmentary symbols (occurring mentally) is not, perhaps, living at all. Accepting what is dead and cadaverous as “reality” may be foolish and may be clinging to the superficial and “unalive.” If unending experiences consist only of recognition, pigeonholing, categorizing, and symbolic orchestration, then such reactions may be limited, robotic, and conditioned. Going beyond this does not take time (psychologically), for psychological time is extension after extension of the conditioning and mediocrity. Fragmentary, sequential, representational words may often be needed. However, to exclusively depend on them (and exist as them) may be foolish, rather unalive, and nonsensical.
To perceive with (and “as”) an inner silence — beyond symbolic words and their limited distinctions — may manifest as a wholeness and immense awareness beyond superficiality. Then words (as symbols) have their place but do not dominate consciousness (as endless conditioning). Then, as we’ve said before, deep intelligence and compassion are manifest, alive, and act rather than merely react.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
“then such reactions may be limited, robotic, and conditioned” Tom when I read these words I feel despair because I think cross culturally people choose again and again to deliberately maintain lack of awareness. Isn’t that what brought us to this point in time where chaos reigns as the feast of the dead begins… When I fall into this conditioning against my will I can feel the misery – yesterday was such a day – at the end I took my little girls for a brief walk in the dark – it had been raining all day and had just stopped – as we came down the forested road I was suddenly suffused with the scent of balsam and pine – it stopped me – I couldn’t get enough of that sweet air – and for those moments I was swept away from my conditioned self…it was like a blessing. I don’t choose conditioning but I still get caught by it… and so wish I didn’t.
Conditioning, Sara, is comfortable and the lacksadaisical masses easily fall into it (and manifest as it). Will has nothing to do with it. Will is largely a primitive myth (which doesn’t mean that one can just go and lead a disorderly life; that would be a lack of intelligence). Don’t wish too hard to go beyond conditioning. Just simply be aware of it (as well as everything else) and enjoy nature and life.
Ah Tom such good advice – just be aware – at times I lose that piece of what we might call common sense! Thank you!
I like that “unalive”, I like to think of death as “eternal relief”
Relief, Michael, occurs when one gets one’s business done on the toilet. Defecating eternally is not my cup of tea, but (hey) everybody’s different. Ha ha!
#GoodWorks
Thank you, M.T. and Happy Halloween!
You’re very welcome my dear friend Tom! Happy Halloween! 🎃👻
My my Tom – reading this on Halloween gives me the heebie jeebies. The images are scary and truly, the spider is scarier.
Don’t be scared, Linda. It’s just an Agiope Spider. I’d let them crawl all over me while walking through the brush around the local pond. I even had them crawling around my face. I never had a problem. They look scary but they are harmless. Happy Halloween! 🕷🕷
Okay, I will believe you, but will pass if that’s okay. All those colors on one little body! Back at you Tom!
“after extension of the conditioning and mediocrity…” Isn’t it amazing the depth of the truth in that? Great rumination my friend and I think our friend Beetle Juice would have some wise words to say about that, especially in this crazy, abnormal time we are living in. 😝
We sure live in a crazy, abnormal time, Kym! The upcoming election scares me… and i’m not easily frightened. Yes, what a wacky world we live in! Many people are losing their moral compass and are truly like conditioned, cadaverous monsters. Happy Halloween! 👺🕷🕷
Thank you for sharing your profound thoughts, Tom. Your insights on moving beyond superficial perceptions and the limitations of relying solely on words are truly thought-provoking. Embracing inner silence to achieve deeper awareness resonates deeply, and it’s inspiring to consider how this can lead to genuine intelligence and compassion. I appreciate you sharing this perspective.
Great images! That spider is amazing.
I’m late to the party… but Tim Burton got a great second part with that huge bug indeed! Beautiful spider (I know, spiders are not bugs…).