To exist beyond conditioning… what does that mean? We are all so easily influenced. Most of us have been shaped — since childhood — to think and react in certain ways. We don’t want to admit it, but most of us have been manufactured and molded to be what we are.
The intelligent mind goes beyond the standard patterns and acceptances; it wisely questions things. To look beyond the norm requires freedom. A mind tethered to “run-of-the-mill conclusions” is incapable of real freedom. And “doing whatever one wants” may not be real freedom. True freedom is a reflection of intelligence… and intelligence involves deep compassion and responsibility. It is selfishness that is caught up in a rut (and not free). The intelligence of action often exists beyond mere reaction. Reaction is conditioned. Action is holistic insight beyond the claws of mediocrity.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Perseverance, remembrance, and marching onward remind us that we don’t live in the past… awesome work always my brother! Love and Light God Bless ❤️💯🙏
Yes, M.T., we need not exist in the dead past. Hoping that your week is spiritually insightful! 😊
“Dare to be different” comes to mind.
Yes, but not just to be different… but to discover something priceless and of sacred immensity. 😉
beautiful picture 👍
Thank you, Neeraj Singh!
Espectacular, wow, so beautufil, lucky you Tom! Love the colors!
Means a lot coming from a photographer like you, Marcela! 😊
Wow thank you fo sharing!
Appreciate it, Ana. Thank you!
March to the beat of a different drum always! What an exquisite-looking butterfly Tom and it is resting in cedar (maybe?).
March to the beat of a different drum always! What an exquisite-looking butterfly you have captured here Tom and it is resting in cedar (maybe?).
Yes, Linda, it may be prudent to march to the beat of a different drum… but please don’t ever try to be different just to be different. Do it to probe deeper, without all of the past conditioning, so that one is truly pure and unspoiled. Then, perhaps, if you are lucky, something truly magical and immense takes place. 😊
Thanks about the butterfly… and it’s wings are not ragged or torn!
Well, I’ve always tried to follow my heart, difficult as it is sometimes Tom. The beauty of getting older is the need to be your own person is much easier now as you don’t have to think and do like your peers or be counted out (even though I was bullied horribly for being different, i.e. a foreigner from Canada, just across the River). The butterfly is flawless. (P.S. Once again I am on your actual blog site.) Perhaps in a few days, I’ll unsubscribe and subscribe again – perhaps that will help.)
Good grief, Linda, that is so unreal that they bullied you for being from Canada. People can be so ignorant and insensitive. Borders are man-made concoctions anyway. Really, they are largely illusory. When i was in grade school, one of the students came in a bit later than at the beginning of the school year. He was from some foreign country (like Germany) and couldn’t speak English. I showed compassion for him and took him under my wing… teaching him what the names of things were in English. Now, the current Administration is going after foreiners like crimminals; it’s tragic really. Anyway, the U.S. is supposed to have a serious deficit in the population in a few years. People won’t be able to do necessary jobs if we kick them all out. It’s insane!
Yes, it is very sad Tom. People (students AND the teacher) laughed at my Oxford English pronunciation of some words, Canadian expressions and the like. But, in the case of a foreign person who is trying to learn English, one of the most-difficult languages to learn as there are so many words that have double meanings, but same spellings, or sound the same – it’s a nightmare, so you have to give credit to anyone that can speak more than one language.
yes, agree…and a beautiful capture
Much appreciated, Sylvia! 😊
You say it so well and your photos are priceless. I really enjoy them. My ability to articulate how I feel about what’s going on in the world has a lot to be improved on but I’m in full agreement here. I live in a wasteland of intelligent life; the only purple dot in a sea of red. I’ll let it go there.