Apparently, most people often habitually come to conclusions. These conclusions tend to be limiting, circumscribed, and they tend to put the mind into gross rigidity. Most people may be very unaware of a lot of the conclusions that they cling to. Many zealously stick to conclusions about religion, politics, tribal affiliations, and what are considered appropriate social norms. Many are even willing to die for their conclusions. Many insist that their (separate, man-made) religion is the best or that their (separate, man-made) country is the best.
A flexible, dynamic, truly living mind may be beyond the rigid framework of conclusions. Such a mind may not cling to secondhand precepts handed down by society. Such a mind may see beyond the confined limitations that conclusions manifest as. Many beliefs, being conclusions, may seem helpful and benign, but (overall) may not be. A mind riddled with a lot of stale conclusions and beliefs may actually consist of those conclusions and beliefs; such a mind may not be something that somehow separately holds those conclusions (as if they are separate possessions). Conclusions can actually constitute the mind. Limitation may constrict and stifle perception in a crippling way that nullifies whole and profound insight and intelligence. Many minds may be free of harmful drugs yet may still be severely crippled by innumerable deleterious beliefs and conclusions.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Thanks Tom.
Your post has made me think of the many of us that hold beliefs and conclusions, (political, religious, personal, inter-relationship) which are often misguided, dangerous and inaccurate. Continued errors over and over again – we never seem to learn from them!
Yes, most of us hold (and “are”) beliefs that are really separating us and causing conflict and division. Many think that these beliefs help them, when (really) they are the root of tons of problems for mankind. Potent bombs are aimed at each other (over differences in beliefs). I was at a funeral yesterday, and the brother of the woman who died, stated that if some of us were not followers of Jesus, we would not be in paradise with his sister. It’s more of that divisive “Belong to my special club… or you are a loser.”
Thanks, Tom. I appreciate your shares.
Thank you, Michele.
Spring is welcome in your photo here Tom because I sure don’t know what happened to our Spring here in Michigan lately. It is too bad that we have lost the ability to think for ourselves, but instead follow the mindset of others, even if deep down we do not ascribe to those beliefs.
Yes, Linda, we (as a society) are basically followers. We think that what we follow is superior to what people in other areas of the world follow. We were carefully molded and conditioned to react along those lines. And, hence, the separation and the conflicts/wars continue. It is all so very crass and mindless.
It’s been so very windy and smoggy lately. And the scientists say that, nationwide, innumberable species of birds are going extinct.
We have to think for ourselves – we are no longer in middle school, high school, etc. where we worry about being different from our peers.
This wind is awful – yesterday was supposed to be low winds, 7 mph and I drove the 30-mile roundtrip to Lake Erie Metropark to find it very windy, so that was no treat to be walking around with the camera. The water levels in the marsh continue to be low which amazes me as we’ve had so much rain and more rain to come … we are in this rain pattern where we have rain Tuesday through Friday … the shorebirds don’t know what to make of that … their food source for one as it was the end of May and hardly any greening of the marsh reeds yet.
I don’t fly stunt kites like i did years ago, Linda, and i can tell you that these constantly windy days are truly unnatural. Our planet is not healthy… and a sure sign of it is the number of birds going extinct each year lately. We all have to do better. I’m glad that i heat my home with Geothermal and drive a Hybrid car.
The old rhyme about “March winds” no longer applies. We have high winds daily – it makes it no pleasure anymore to battle high winds, while walking and taking photos. No, our planet is not healthy at all. This is expected to be another volatile hurricane season. Tornadoes are bigger and more frequent scientists say. We do need to do better.
With the crazy winds, i often do not care to be outdoors. Yes, we definitely need to do much better.
I often say I won’t make my walking goal, but this year I say this as I’m very far behind. We say this but ….