enlightenment | Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog

All Posts Tagged ‘enlightenment’

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Walking the Tightrope of Life…

February 21, 2016

Life is very tough for most of us… and, on the tightrope of life, very few are truly balanced. They lean on their leaders, their authorities, their gurus, their priests, politicians, and systems, and (through such leaning) they never are truly balanced in the true, deep sense (i.e., on their own). Their dependence is their falling. Only when one stands alone (with true independence) from the weight of all their symbols and systems, can one truly move in a balanced, light, and free way. Most of us adamantly and desperately cling to and rely on (i.e., depend on) an image (which is really just another thought) of an “internal central regulator,” or “controller,” or “me.” This image, however, is merely an “absorbed” thought (poured into us from others). Though we habitually and tenaciously cling to it as being “central,” and our core, there is — in reality — nothing truly central about it. This learned image often nurtures illusory conflict, separation, indifference, and friction (both internally and externally); the mind can function vastly more efficiently without it; clinging to it is another primitive, fragmentary form of unrefined dependence. So, many of us have dependencies so ingrained within us we are even oblivious to their existence. Most of us are heavily burdened with cumbersome dependencies, desires, separative viewpoints, and weighty symbols and labels (that they fabricated us as) which, inevitably, pull us down. To be truly simple, light, unburdened, full of poise and stability is (these days, as in the past) a very rare thing. There are those who talk and write a lot, pretending — to themselves and to others — that their systems and ways are balanced, while (in actuality) they are merely rehashing or quoting what was poured into them (furthering the mold that they emerged from and/or accepted). Why is it that to be deeply, psychologically free and balanced is possible, but — for most humans — it occurs only very rarely? Undoubtedly, miseducation has a lot to do with it; additionally, most of us were programmed to imitate. We spend our days repeating what we absorbed from others; most of us are almost constantly mentally repeating absorbed symbols (and we also use these symbols to perceive). People inevitably get bored with the same old thing — mentally repeating absorbed symbols is, indeed, old — and then (especially these days) drugs become involved. Do drugs and alcohol (so popular in this day and age) help in regard to being truly balanced? The answer (unless you are really inebriated and can’t walk the line) is rather obvious. To be balanced is to exist as equilibrium and harmony. To psychologically be in true equilibrium and harmony, the mind must understand and transcend ignorance and conflict… and that cannot take place if one merely lives as the absorbed frameworks of separation and symbolism that most people accept (and remain in) as normal.

On the Tightrope of Life. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016

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On Eternity…

February 19, 2016

26 comments

one danced with infinity just the other day
of course,the limited and superficial never met her
(except briefly)
one would be safe to say

she always had her hat on
she always wore that dateless dress
her enduring nails reflected(ever(y)thing)
she remained brighter than(the rest)

*******************************************************************************************************************************

[The book that I wrote (i.e., “The Eternal Fountain of Youth”) deals a lot with the existent, basal nature of eternity, consciousness, and time. This book is not for the masses. Only read the book, by the way, if you are very stable and have it together, so to speak; it is extremely strong medicine. Even though the content of the book is extremely potent, it is not really dangerous; the real danger is for us to continue in our barbaric ways without changing.]

“If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way?”
― Emily Dickinson

life and death forever together. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016

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Truth…

February 7, 2016

25 comments

Truth is one of the most important things in life — truth matters — because without it, falsity reigns supreme in the dead mind. A mind of deception is in (and of) the cadaverous fallacious. So many separate groups and tribes of this little globe (and of so many similar, numerous globes) claim to bestow the truth to their members. Profound truth, however, does not belong to any tribe, or group, or leader, and cannot be told. Truth is too profound to be possessed by the indifferent masses; and the masses are often (externally and internally) in conflict — via their separative countries, borders, religions, leaders of friction, fears and perceptions involving distance from others — which is not truth. Profound truth exists beyond mere symbols, separations, tribes, and conflict. It cannot merely be handed over to another like a secondhand pair of pants. Truth is a beautiful blessing, a living dynamic which cannot be achieved by mere effort (like some kind of dead trophy). There are no steps to profound truth, for profound truth is not a dead, stagnant thing (like some static point on an inert map). It comes not to any unmoving (so-called) separate center or internal agency of manipulation. Truth’s beauty transcends space and time and mere sequential experience as patterns.

Anemone-like (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016

Anemone-like (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016

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In terms of truth…

February 5, 2016

17 comments

In terms of truth
everyone thought the world was flat
except (of course) the
wise man
who saw the world was round

In terms of space
everyone thought from separation
except (of course) the
wise man
who perceived that he was sound

In terms of experience
everyone thought they had (and were not actually) the experiences
except (of course) the
wise man
who joyfully went beyond mere experience

In the backyard. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016

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Beyond what was taught by “many others”…

January 31, 2016

33 comments

Often, in the backyard, there “is” the trees, the birds, and animals and no “me.” The space between things (then) — like the clear parts of a dragonfly’s wings — does not separate them.

Beyond what was taught. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016

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Tweetie Revisited…

January 24, 2016

28 comments

Not long ago, one posted an article about Tweetie Pie, a Yellow Naped Amazon Parrot who lives with us and who seems to have well developed comprehension and language skills. That previous article mentioned how Dr. Irene Pepperburg’s research on avian psychology suggests that many parrots have the mental understanding of a (human) 5 year old and the verbal capacity of a 2 year old. We play learning videos and movies all day long for Tweetie and the two other birds who live with her. They often, by the way, watch full length movies with as much interest and zeal as any human would. When one walks into their room during a good movie, they don’t even look at what you are doing; and they watch the movie throughout its entire duration. Anyone who lives with parrots (or dogs or other similar animals too) has the responsibility of exercising their minds and bodies daily. With parrots, one can daily hold their feet and move them up and down and around repeatedly (so they vigorously flap their wings), so that they get substantial exercise; additionally, toys and fun objects can be given to them to play with often. Being intelligent, they need a lot of attention and social interaction daily. Be sure to daily exercise yourself too; many people don’t!

I am retired, and usually home, but earlier this week, Marla and i went to the doctors. Later, that evening, i said to Tweetie, “What were you thinking about today, Tweetie?” Tweetie responded with: “About you!” I then said, “How sweet; thank you, Tweetie!” Later, while i was preparing the birds’ food next to a large perch that she was on, i said to her, “Do you want a piece of apricot?” She said, “I do.” Earlier, when we were at the doctor’s office, one of the nurses we were talking with said that her parents have a parrot that talks with good comprehension. We sure know what that is about! Whenever Tweetie talks, it always has relevant meaning; it is not just mimicry.

I used to be a teacher of students who were multiply handicapped and who had mental retardation. I know, good and well, that correctly answering a question pertaining to the abstract concept of “thinking” takes a rather high level of cognitive processing. Lately, over the last few days, one has been talking to Tweetie about simple philosophy and perception “beyond thinking.” One, of course, has kept things very simple. When i first told Tweetie that one can look at things without thinking — such that everything is “one thing” — she looked all around carefully as if she got something out of what i said. A few nights ago, i again talked about philosophical things — you know how it’s in my blood — and suggested looking at everything as not just being separate, but together as one. I held my hand, with fingers spread, in front of her, and said that each finger was different from the other fingers. Mentioning that each finger can look and act differently, i wiggled my fingers in different ways. Then i pointed out that though each finger is different, they are all connected (and not separate), and all are together as one hand. I said that all of us are like the fingers — all being as one thing. I said that it is good to go beyond thinking now and then, and to look at everything as if for the first time, without just seeing things as being separate. As i turned away from her to prepare their food, Tweetie said, “You are right!” (This was the first time she has ever said that… and we didn’t teach it to her.) She wasn’t brown-nosing, either; she is brutally honest. One day, recently, for instance, i reprimanded one of the other parrots for screaming too loud, and later in the evening, Marla opened the door to the avian room to reprimand me for having their TV on too loud. I was in their room preparing their food at the time, and said, “Marla, is like an old grouch today.” Tweetie then said, “You are too!”

A couple of days after her response to my philosophical talk, i went into their area as they were watching the Muppets on television. As i was sitting there eating a salad and watching it with them, there was an episode where western ranch hands were riding on top of cows and saying how much they loved the wonderful horses they were riding. I laughed out loud, and said, “They’re not on horses; they are riding on cows!” Tweetie said, “You are right!” She was correct about her judgement of this last (factual) occurrence; whether she was correct regarding what i said philosophically is debatable (though very interesting). Perhaps intelligent animals are more appreciative of going beyond dead symbols — and of seeing the value of direct perception — than most of us humans. Tweetie will not likely ever go through profound enlightenment; but, then, neither will the vast majority of humans. Usually, when i take Tweetie out for her daily exercising, i ask her how she is doing. Her usual reply is “Pretty good!” I’ve noticed that on those days that I’ve talked to her about going beyond thinking… she, instead, says, “I don’t know!” Perfect answer! People might easily say that i am nuts for talking philosophically to bird brains. However, i have received more intelligent responses from my avian friends, lately, than i have from local humans in our area.

Eye of perception. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016

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This Movement

January 17, 2016

20 comments

True poise, as we have said, includes intelligence, compassion, awareness, humor, balance, and transcending separation and conflict. Part of the reason that many of us don’t have it has to do with wrong education; or, despite a wrong education, many just don’t care to go beyond the parameters of limitation.

In previous posts, some time ago, one wrote about the brain as being like two halves of a walnut… and about how certain surgeries splitting these two halves — by severing the corpus callosum — left each half not knowing what the other half was thinking. So, in actuality, two fields of consciousness were produced from one field, via advanced surgery. Therefore, times and evidence has changed; yet so many of us continue to cling to the erroneous (primitive) notion of a central “I,” a central “me” or controller. For a very long time now, one — when thinking — instead of using the term “I,” has been using the words of “this movement.” Of course, one doesn’t verbally say “this movement,” instead of “I,” when actually talking to others; (things are at a rather unrefined and strangely unpolished level here in the Midwest U.S.A., and the rest of the world, so one just talks to them in the way that they are familiar with.)

Clinging to the notion of a central “I,” by repeatedly using it, reinforces the perception and feeling of separation. We were taught to function in (and “as”) this separation throughout our lives; just look at all of the competition and indifference in the world. This separation includes — and involves — internal and external forms. “I” am apart from “you.” If “I” hurt “you,” “I” will not be hurt. This “I” thinks that it is apart from the fears that “it has.” This “I” is supposedly apart from the jealousy that it can later “deal with.” This “I” is supposedly something separate from the unhealthy habits that “it has.” This “I” is supposedly apart from other organisms; and it is “their” suffering. This “I” is going to quiet thoughts in order to “get something spectacular out of it.” This “I” has freedom to do whatever “it” pleases.

Instead of thinking “I,” thinking “this movement,” however, doesn’t tend to reinforce the notion of any (so-called) center (that is fictitious anyway) from everyone else. “This movement” can include — and does include, in a big way — everyone else. (Therein lies responsibility.) “This movement” need not be separate from the perceptions that take place, including butterflies and fears. Fear may not be separate from what “this movement” is; however, thinking there is an “I” that is separate from fear, controlling it or managing it freely, is conflict and utter nonsense. When “this movement” is used, it negates a lot of energy wasting conflict that inherently goes along with the separative (erroneous, crass) concept of a central “I.” Eternity, the sacred and the timeless exists, but it has little to do with robotic, fragmentary, illusory, virtual, isolated, central images; that is one of the reasons why “this movement” is sharing this.

Defying gravity. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016

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Let’s Pretend

January 15, 2016

20 comments

Let’s pretend that thoughts
that are symbols
(and all thoughts are symbols)
are what a central “I” controls

And let’s pretend that this I
(that supposedly controls thoughts)
is not another one of the thoughts
is not another one of the symbols

Let’s wonder what the purpose of this poem is
and let’s think that we are sep
a rate
from the symbols regarding this poem

Let’s pretend that thoughts
that many cling to (and “are”) as superficial habits
have even a fraction of the substantive depth and reality
that genuine heartfelt feelings have

Let’s listen to the sounds around us now
and also hear the sounds
of thinking and pretending
which are not, of course, really sounds at all

Katy with sound sensing legs (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016

Katy with sound sensing legs (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016

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Beyond the measurable…

January 10, 2016

16 comments

So many of us imitate others. We do this so much more than we realize. Everything that people see (in terms of patterns), think (in terms of patterns), and take for granted… is transferred to us. We absorb what they are. (We become what they are. Our thoughts and desires are what they are.) We absorb what they are from their teachings, their traditions, their mannerisms, and values (or lack of values). To go beyond all that is extremely arduous. However, it is very necessary if one is to be more than a mere second-hand shadow.

So many of us want to show off our accumulations to others. We think that these accumulations — often the result of grueling work at the job — reflect our ability to be successful. Real success, however, may not (unlike what we were taught) lie in material possessions, large families, or monetary wealth. To discover what is truly priceless, will one merely rely on others… who, themselves, are clones of innumerable others?

Real success, ironically, may exist beyond the measurable. However, most of our calculating minds have no clue as to what that means or entails. Most of us live in (and “as”) comparison and measurement. However, to merely accept comparison and measurement as the essence of one’s life — as so many, unfortunately, do — may be a sign of indolence and superficiality. Additionally, rigidly clinging to comparison and measurement invites (and “is”) sorrow.

Infinite joy is a measureless blessing that is beyond the grasp of mere greed and superficiality. It cannot be earned or acquired (like some silly, limited stuff), and that is part of its immeasurable beauty. Don’t ask “how to get it,” because — unlike so many of our ostentatious, limited accumulations — there is no “how to get it.”

These goats, at the county fair, were repeatedly jumping out of their stalls. They were not merely content with remaining in the limited. Should you be?

Beyond the Limited. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016

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Just Be Ordinary

January 8, 2016

13 comments

Just be ordinary

Just be what they programmed you to be

Just safely fit in and never stand out as being different

Just try to impress a large number of others who are just like you…

who are practically exact clones or copies of what you are

Just continue to perceive like you and everyone else

were taught to perceive

Just continue to constrain or manage internal fears

while thinking that they are something separate from what you are

Just try to get ahead and have a wonderful time

impressing yourself while thinking that self is something separate

from animals plants experiences others thoughts and time…

just like everyone else tends to

No Irony Here. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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In the poignant circulating of the cosmic wheel

December 27, 2015

15 comments

In the poignant circulating of the cosmic wheel

only a small portion exist pliable enough to feel

In time’s perpetual murmur along the mutated stride

only a small handful passionately perceive with eyes open wide

In the inept fervor of politic’s frantic flames

most cling to shadows rarely stuttering their names

In the isolated prearrangement of the seeing of the same

most reside as separative symbols that stylish inattention helps retain

Only the Fruiting Part. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Only the Fruiting Part. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Feeling the depth

December 20, 2015

23 comments

Many of us go through life regurgitating what was spoon fed to us throughout our youth. Many of us function and perceive in the ways that we were taught… and, therefore, what we perceive and think is tainted with (and “as”) the dusty past. Many of us, even when we are encouraged to go beyond all that — in order to, perhaps, see things freshly and anew — tend to just momentarily see the importance of it… but then go on with our lives in the same old ways. (Which means we never really observed the deep importance of it whatsoever.)

So many of us were so painstakingly drilled (and filled) with the separative systems and symbols of the past… that we tend to habitually cling to them and repeatedly depend on them. Many of us rarely, if ever, are truly silent and beyond being the absorbed symbols by which we perceive and think. Many of us are constantly relying on and calculating with (and “as”) these symbols; the very way we perceive things in the world is dictated by what these symbols are constituted of. We perceive through — and “as” — these symbols. These symbols have an inherent distance and line of demarcation to them. They inevitably tend to be fractional, piecemeal icons. However, thoughts and mentally absorbed symbols/images, no matter how substantial they may seem to be, are almost always mere partial tokens that are mere representational patterns. Many of us are slaves to these mere representational symbols. Look at how so many so-called young people constantly are texting to each other. Instead of enjoying the integrity and wholeness of a moment… they are constantly electronically writing about it to others (all the while conveying with dead words about what could have been a living, joyful occurrence).

There is a good chance that the only true depth and the only real living (in this life) is what takes place beyond mere symbols, beyond the second-handedness (and virtual reality) that symbols reinforce and foster. What is superficial will not, however, seriously see the need for transcending all of the symbols and images that people cling to. What is immersed in superficiality, unfortunately, will not likely truly see the need for going beyond it.

Projections (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Projections (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Beyond the Learned Center

December 18, 2015

13 comments

the hopping toad was the garden’s movement

toward that which wasn’t apart

from the symphonic moonlit night that was

crickets chirping as one beyond silence

while hands washed each other in blended sequence

a spacious window gazed out of itself

then one very shiny silver spoon quantified instant coffee

and the rhythmic ticking of the clock walked to the kitchen sink

right foot preceded left foot at measured intervals

as distance carefully calculated momentum

eyes moved from left to right repeatedly

wondering about the elemental purpose of this poem

Garden Hopping. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Beyond Their Weighty Burden

December 11, 2015

24 comments

Don’t let them pull you down

the cold ones and the crazy ones

the twisted politicians and the elephantine pundits

Soar away often from all their heavy patterns

concrete symbols and fixed rituals

and fly free as if you have wings

Then you’ll be beautifully glowing and warmly radiant

and (as you feel) the pulling weight of their dead images leave

be free of the burdensome gravity of their self-importance

Beyond their weighty burden (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c.2015

Beyond their weighty burden (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c.2015

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Timeless Immensity

December 6, 2015

24 comments

There is a timeless, radiant, boundless, eternal energy,

beyond all patterns and demarcations,

beyond all violence, disorder, and chaos.

It is an infinite, miraculous flame that cannot merely be described

with the shadows of limited words and symbols (and all words are limited).

Though many would call it “God,” it is beyond (and has nothing to do with) held beliefs;

it belongs to no country, no world, no religion;

it has no gender; it is not of any one species, nor organization.

It did not create this universe, and it is beyond the reactions of any organisms

(of highly evolved or barely evolved types);

and their shadows cannot infringe on its unadulterated immaculateness.

Mere reactions cannot perceive it or recognize it,

for it is an action beyond all mental forms, patterns, sorrows, and devices.

No systems or methods can capture it,

for it is beyond cause and effect paradigms,

beyond what mere groping can achieve.

Its immeasurability places it beyond all mental yardsticks and psychological gauges.

It is well beyond the musty, shadowy residue of symbolic thought (and all thought is symbolic).

You cannot visit it, but it can visit you.

However, that “you,” that it may visit, must effortlessly be beyond the limitations of symbols,

residual reactions, and mechanical responses.

Desire it… and it will not manifest.

The limited cannot have a true relationship

with the unlimited.

Profound, living mystery is beyond jaded reactions

from (and “as”) the stale past.

To live without always (exclusively) depending

on the symbols and images of the stale, dead past

can be true joy.

That joy may be (or may not be) visited by that profound mystery

that is beyond time’s limitations.

Damsels not in distress. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Mother Goose Revisited…

December 4, 2015

7 comments

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

She had so many thoughts she didn’t know what to do.

She gave them all her energy without much feeling;

And kept all her deposits and left the world screaming.

There was a young man who danced in his shoes.

His still mind was glowing without having the blues.

He gave the poor broth with plenty of bread;

And kissed them all soundly and put them to bed.

Symbiosis. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Fear…

November 29, 2015

12 comments

Fear. You can run from it all you want, but — if you do — it will always be there (in one form or another).

There are intelligent forms of fear and other forms of fear that are largely unintelligent. If you are walking through the woods and see a cluster of poison ivy (and have gotten severe rashes from it before) you naturally avoid it with (and “as”) a fear that is sensible and intelligent. If you are going along with others in an activity that you don’t really deem wise or wholesome, but are doing it just to “fit in” and not be rejected (as so many do with drugs, for example)… that may stem from a form of fear that is rather unintelligent and lopsided.

So many of us were taught that we are separate from our fears. When fear takes place, is it truly something that is separate from what you are? Instead of running from fears, or merely trying to manipulate them, it may be prudent to be in relationship with them… to carefully understand them and examine them (without manufactured distance and learned concepts, without fleeing). Fear often involves time; fear feeds on (and is) time. So many have fears about what the future may be (or may not be). Interestingly — though fear feeds on, involves, (and is) time — fleeing from fear involves time.

Separation from fears may go along with separation from other aspects in life… such as hopes, aspirations, dreams, speculations, and the images of others (that one deems separate from oneself). Hate often springs from unintelligent fear, for both are intrinsically bound in modes heavily involved with separation. Mental separation breeds both hate and indifference. When there is a wall of circumference around a (supposedly) separate self apart from fear, images, aspirations, and others… friction and turmoil often ensue. We can grow and wisely flower beyond the fragmentation and needless friction — internally and externally — if we perceive beyond mere separative and primitive processes.

Instead of merely just running from boredom, or fear, or loneliness, it may be prudent to remain with them (effortlessly observing) and learn from them intimately; then (out of the intimacy) if relationship with them truly changes naturally, they may flower into what transcends mediocrity, tradition, and fragmentation; then boredom and fear are no longer what they were (as part of broken, fragmentary isolation and separation).

Fire and ice. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Double your pleasure, double your fun…it’s the right one, the Doublemint Gum!

November 27, 2015

15 comments

An antimatter universe

is a reflection of our

universe

and our universe

is a reflection of

an antimatter universe

One can isomorphically soar away

from the other

just as the other

can isomorphically soar away from one

There is always something

2 reflect upon in one

just as in one reflecting

something is always there 2

The two of us are

very far apart

2-gether

yet we are closer

than any-1

can ever imagine

Matter…Anti-matter. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Matter…Anti-matter. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Sorrow is “secondhandedness”…

November 22, 2015

19 comments

Most minds, as we were previously saying, often, unfortunately, exclusively remain as what is second-hand. So many of us merely copy the patterns of others and — with these patterns and symbols — we function and perceive. There — as has been the case for millennia — are all kinds of politicians, teachers, religious leaders, philosophical and psychological experts who are more than willing to tell you how to live. However, with all of these so-called experts and leaders, the world remains in quite a lot of turmoil, confusion, violence, and chaos. To step out of this quagmire, however, and truly be beyond it, calls for being a mind that is not merely second-hand.

From the day we were born, each of us has been encouraged to imitate, to absorb, to utilize the symbols and patterns by which — and through which — we can function well in this world. It was drilled into you that you are separate… separate from everything else out there, separate from your thoughts. With these absorbed patterns, we can dominate and succeed. Real success, however, may not be merely clinging to these basic, rudimentary things. For instance, constantly looking via separation and concrete images/symbols might make you a wealthy businessman; but it may do little to free you and the world from sorrow and the superficial. Merely ruthlessly adhering to learned separation and absorbed symbols/images leaves the mind barren and hand-me-down.

To really look and perceive as a fresh, non-imitative, compassionate, wise human being — which so few of us have ever done profoundly — is not something that you can merely rotely learn or absorb. If it is merely something that can be absorbed or soaked up by the mind… then it is not really fresh (but, rather, second-hand). So many of us have blindly depended upon others to tell us how to live and function that — for the most part — we perceive and react via second-hand methodologies, images, symbols, and patterns. Second or third, or fourth-hand, however, (especially when seeping in separation) is not real living; and perception from that is always from the dead past. Our violence, in society, stems from the learned separation, learned space of limitation, and learned separative symbols that we have absorbed and held as consciousness. Being content to remain in (and “as”) that is great sorrow, for nothing that is second-hand (and a mere reaction), mentally, is ever what is truly fresh, pristine, and joyfully alive. No wonder so many are depressed and go to drugs.

Any method, by any teacher, or priest, or guru, to help you get beyond all the second-hand images, and patterns, and reactions… is still a process involving time and learned images and systems. Only you can look afresh at (and “as”) life without the second-hand images and patterns of others. Be very careful, however, because if that “you” is another absorbed (separate) image (or set of images) that was learned, then it too is part of the second-handedness and part of the quagmire.

To look, without the contamination of the “absorbed past” does not take time. Learning the techniques, the images, or self-images, methods, patterns, and symbols of others takes time. Being second-hand takes time. When one looks through — and “as” — a learned, separative image, one is using the fossilized past… which is intrinsically (in a big way) dead; that past is a part of conditioned/mechanical/accumulated time. Going beyond being second-hand does not depend upon procedures learned from others (or from an image of self that was additionally learned). Going beyond being second-hand is not turning into some kind of vegetable; it may be true freedom and true, highly intelligent independence (from dead imitation).

Again, to look, without the contamination of the “absorbed past” takes no time; for, regarding it, there is no process or method to copy or robotically imitate. Going beyond being second-hand is timeless, and it does not depend upon procedures learned from others (or from an image of self that additionally was learned). Recognition — from stale and rather dead images that were copied over (and “as”) time — can never come upon the new, the truly sacred and pristine. What looks from mere fragmentation, symbolism, and the dead past… cannot ever perceive the timeless, the new.

Watching (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Watching (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Beyond Caterpillar… (a poem about psychological, not physical, ending…)

November 20, 2015

8 comments

[When one (while quite alive) is not merely recognizing things that were learned — including the images of self — then there is the possibility for that pure flame (which is beyond the musty, dusty, stored past) to flower without effort of any kind.]

If wondrous joy

thou doth employ

one’s being must sometimes let go

of its carriage

For being is becoming…

and always reaching

will never ever

capture the marriage

For psychologically ending

is real life befriending

which no wise unbeing

will ever disparage

Beyond caterpillar. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Regarding the sacred in life…

November 15, 2015

17 comments

It is good to be in “right relationship” with everything. All too many were educated wrongly, and they continue to view the world with a psychology immersed in separation. Beyond the basics, in education, there must be an exploration into what “right and true relationship is.” Without this the mind remains rather lopsided and trapped in falsities; then all kinds of problems emerge in society… with violence, theft, deceit, indifference, drugs, and abandonment being common.

It is interesting, in a big way, about how there are a good number of people who say that they are “one with everything”… that they are “one with the whole;” yet, for most all of them, the benediction of enlightenment has never taken place. One of the fundamental reasons for this (among other things) is that even people who maintain that they are “one with everything” are still perceiving the world through concepts, symbols, and images that they have learned (and have absorbed from others). It may be that, with these conceptions and symbols, they look… and what they see is what they were taught. When they say that they are one with that… it may be that they are one with all of these myriad (learned and second-hand) images, symbols, concepts, and frameworks that others have helped to instill within (and “as”) what they are. There is nothing very profound in that.

Being “one with everything” is to be admired and appreciated. However, we have to be extremely careful with this. Because if we are merely continuing to view everything with isolated images, symbols, and concepts… being “one” with that is not sufficient; and it may not be being in “right relationship” whatsoever. Too many of us view the world through, and as, and from, symbols and learned images. One can say, as so many easily do, that everything is sacred. However, once again, we must be extremely careful with this. It could be that everything we perceive consists of recognition based on learned images, patterns, and symbols (that were taught). The truly sacred, however, may not merely be something that is within the relatively superficial realm of images, symbols, and learned patterns. Learned symbols and concepts — though very necessary for daily functioning — may not ever be in a direct relationship with what is truly sacred. That flame of timeless blessing exists beyond mere symbols and dead concepts… and shadows can never be in direct relationship with it. It is, fortunately, possible to perceive without mere learned recognition, without the shadows that such recognition exclusively consists of. Most all of us are locked in (and “as”) recognition; we see through (and “as”) second-hand symbols and patterns. We can, if we are prudent and truly perceptive in the deepest sense, perceive without mere second-hand symbols and images; then pristine, uncorrupted perception (though not necessarily sacred in itself) may open the door for what is sacred to visit. The sacred will not visit, enter, (and be in direct relationship with) what is second-hand, symbolic, stale, and rehashed. It is too fundamentally pure to be able to be in direct relationship with what is very sullied and tainted. That is one of the reasons why so few are ever directly visited by that majestic, uncorrupt, infinite energy of timelessness.

We human beings are something else! We are always thinking about and using energy (from what we taught each other). However, we are never the actual energy. That energy is timeless and (unlike the energy that we think we use) it is beyond the corruptions of man.

Eye 2 Eye. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Eye 2 Eye. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Regarding Free Will…

November 8, 2015

20 comments

Do we have free will? Most of us would get quite irritated if we were told that we do not really have it. To be free is to be unhindered; it is to not be tethered to parameters that bind, blind, and limit you. To truly be free, one must have expansive intelligence beyond common boundaries. To truly be free, the cause and effect relationships that constitute one’s environment must all be understood and accounted for (without bias or flaws from one’s past education or from one’s genetic — including mental genetic — makeup). To truly be free, there must be no distortion or fragmentation in the way that one perceives.

As it is, most of us see and react from learned (and inherited) modes involving separation, fragmentation, and views that are cemented by culture and tradition. With all this limitation, we think (and feel) that we are free. So many are enslaved — in more ways than one — without ever realizing it. To perceive that you are not free may be the beginning of wisdom that brings freedom. Merely craving for freedom, however, does not bring it (i.e., psychologically). If you are conditioned — and we all are — perceive and examine that conditioning throughout the day. That conditioning is what you are; it is not merely something that can be accurately viewed with separation, from a distance. Distortion, that sees itself for what it is (without the further distortion of imagined separation, without the projection of ideals or of fanciful utopian freedom) can — through clarity and understanding from direct relationship — change and transform. Distortion, however, that clings to learned modes of internal (and external) separation and false images of freedom (which are unreal)… likely will remain in (and “as”) the conditioning that it is.

Intelligence that (without mere separation and pre-conceived ideals) perceives the conditioning and distortion that is what it is… may transform beyond that conditioning and distortion. Distortion that merely looks (with learned separation) from that distortion and thinks that it is free… mostly remains in (and “as”) distortion. By the way… harming another organism intentionally and using the excuse that one has no free will (because of being conditioned) is a cop-out; it’s a song and dance. We are all, whether conditioned or not, responsible. We can respond either from (that spaceless place of) direct relationship and compassion (beyond mere division) and intelligent caring (beyond learned and absorbed boundaries)… or from cold indifference, learned separation, and hatred. (Separation and friction that is internal — in the brain — can express and project itself outwardly, as conflict and hatred.) We can go beyond crude, unrefined patterns. We are all capable of growing.

Ant Domain. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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There was…

November 6, 2015

21 comments

There was a man

so wise

that every time he

walked

he always limped

and the whole universe limped too

There was a woman

so whole

that every time she

blinked

the skies always settled

and the churning seas would settle too

There was a past perfect

so present

that every time it

moved

it always returned

and the bygone future returned too

There was a flower

so beautiful

that every time it

unfurled

it always opened

and the blossoming of understanding would open too

Explosion in Pink. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Explosion in Pink. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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The Curtain lies… between here and there…

November 1, 2015

19 comments

What is distance? There is distance between you and another living organism. There is distance between yesterday and today. There is distance between one cloud in the sky and another. However, is there really separation? There is, for instance, distance between your index finger and your ring finger. However, is your index finger really something separate from your ring finger? When I was very young, I used to be an avid fisherman… until I realized that the distance of the fishing line did not contribute to any separation whatsoever. Supposedly separate countries (that are divided up upon this globe), by man-made demarcations, might not be in such friction with each other if they deeply saw the interconnection involving all. Separate islands, for example, may seem very separate until one probes deeper and perceives how (under the water surface) they actually connect and are one.

Many people were taught that they control their thoughts from a distance (or from something separate). However, the actuality of the matter is that there is no distance (or even separation) between the thinker and the thoughts (if the thinker is part of thought — is a protrusion of thought — which it is). How we perceive is often (or usually) dictated by (and shaped by) thought. Many perceive — both internally and (therefore) externally — with a learned separation that is fragmentary, erroneous, self-oriented, and rather robotic. (We are not talking about foolishly blending in and walking into walls here; we are discussing about going beyond inelegant, unevolved perceptions.) Many of us “think” that we are very modern and sophisticated; but the fact may be that we are still very barbarous, deeply primitive, and crude (with gross separation and archaic division drilled into our psyches). Look, for instance, (and read the current news) at what humans are doing in the world. We can do better.

Soldier Beetles patrolling the area. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Many are in the Twilight Zone on Halloween (and the rest of the year)…

October 30, 2015

2 comments

In every miraculous eternal blink

beyond the very primitive world of think

the joy of order

and the order of joy abides

In every cadaverous indifferent stare

leaden within pre-worn underwear

the anchor of self

outweighs the swimming of we

Halloween Feat (i.e., Feet) (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Halloween Feat (i.e., Feet) (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Within the camera eye…

October 25, 2015

12 comments

It is good to be perceptive, to be observant. Many of us, who take photographs and share them, reveal certain detailed (and often unique) perceptions that we have… (that we are appreciative of). To be perceptive is to be sensitive. Even our cameras have a certain innate, intrinsic sensitivity, wherein they pick up (and convey) many of the intricacies that a scene or area displays. To be a real human being, however, calls for much more sensitivity than what a mechanical camera is capable of. Interestingly, there are many people who go through existence being perceptive in more of a mechanical, mechanistic, camera-like way. They focus upon what others have directed them to focus upon; they capture (and hold) what they were developed to capture and hold. Like digital cameras, they store the data and their depth is artificial; they assimilate and grasp according to the way they were programmed. Their stored data depends exclusively upon imprinted patterns.

A truly insightful and reflective human being, on the other hand, may go far beyond a mere mechanical, superficial existence. The depth of a truly insightful, reflective human being would be amazingly real and beyond mere simulation. Real sensitivity has tremendous depth. That depth and real love/real living may not be different things. That depth shatters the separation between the viewer and the image. That sensitivity helps others in profound ways (that are not merely what can be photographed… although photographing may be part of how that sensitivity shares). That sensitivity penetrates far deeper than what any mechanical device can calculatingly and premeditatively (artificially) capture.

Last night, this movement was observing a science program on television concerning the universe. A lot of top scientists were talking about where the universe was going. They said that there is absolutely no evidence that there exists any eternity in the universe and that it is more than likely that everything will disappear entirely (and that is that). Unfortunately, they don’t understand what certain wise individuals understand; they (to a very large extent) don’t understand their own minds, and they don’t know what most of the cosmos (such as dark energy) consists of. If a mindlenscamera is constructed and programmed by the superficial, what it picks up and captures (to share) will often be rather superficial. Sometimes superficial and two-dimensional is very nice and excellent to visit… but one wouldn’t want to exclusively live there. Superficial snapshots from distortion impress most who are truly discerning and deep (only to a limited extent). As for those scientists, well, unfortunately, they are very good at capturing and conveying what they’ve discovered from limitation.

So, what transforms beyond the limited focus of the camera-i… is real integrity. Real, living integrity comes about only when the mind naturally becomes orderly beyond some dead blueprint or formulated mold. When real integrity comes about, the universe and its deepest magic comes to you; you don’t have to seek it. True integrity, which is wholeness, allows for (that deep order which is the entire universe) to flower within. That brings true bliss and enlightenment. The limited camera-i cannot do it, for what it perceives is little, separate snapshots here and there (according to some limited, manufactured programming). When real wisdom occurs, then the camera-i doesn’t merely try to capture things (with what it focuses on)… because then its instrument is not separate from all the mystery that takes place in the world (and all the mystery that is beyond place).

Tree Frog on brownish house siding (blending in quite nicely). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Halloween Arachnid

October 18, 2015

16 comments

To be in rapport with truth, one must (obviously) be parallel to the nature and dimension of truth. Profound (not relative) truth may not at all be something that is merely acquired… like some kind of result (by way of a process), like some type of petty thing that comes about (by way of accumulation or calculated endeavor). The immensity of profound truth is not of the realm of standard and ordinary results. So, in a very real way, this negates a lot of what people do (in terms of ordinary meditation and orthodox religion… all of which provide you with concrete ways to come upon truth).

A very serious, truly intelligent person (unlike the indifferent masses who are caught and lost in rather superficial details) is extremely interested in the profound truth. If that interest is a deep passion to find out without merely depending on others, then that passion may be beyond mere accumulation and calculated endeavor. The others depend on people of “authority” to tell them what to do, how to behave, what and how to think, etc. However, an individual with that rare passion (that does not depend) is truly standing alone. (“Individual” means single and not dependent.) An individual who does not merely depend upon the symbols, images, and patterns that others provide regarding truth… may be truly standing alone.

You know, when I was a follower, going along with the crowd regarding orthodox traditions and all that popular stuff… nothing happened. Nothing truly miraculous occurred whatsoever. It was only after one had gone beyond all the bourgeois orthodoxy, beyond all the popular cults, beyond all the gurus, experts, and specialists, that something very special, immense, enlightening, and extraordinary happened. Of course, people can say, “Well this bloke is merely deluding himself, imagining something or fantasizing about something profound.” There exists palpable proof consisting of reflections (over the years) of the actuality of this; but people need to go in depth and discover it for themselves. People each need to take the initiative and examine deeply for themselves; if they don’t do it (with tremendous passion) there is plenty of the ordinary for them to mundanely continue to experience (and remain as).

Most of us do not realize the depth of the accumulations that we have psychologically absorbed from others (who, themselves, absorbed from previous others). With this stockpile from the antiquated past, we look; and what we perceive is circumscribed by the extreme limitations of symbols, patterns, images, and fragmentary, archaic concepts. (One has stated this time and time again.) To be truly independent calls for going far deeper than merely going beyond outside authority… because the processes and ways of outside authority are in (and constitute) what you actually are. (Our “inside authority” is an extension of — and it is — the outside authority.) Our very concepts of self and of time are composed of crass, primitive patterns stemming from the musty past. (When you look through the lens of the musty past, what you see will be very distorted.) Only in the unconditioned intelligence of standing alone does the deepest magic truly manifest. This standing alone does not merely seek a result; it does not merely attempt to catch truth in its web designed for contrived results to acquire; there may then be (within it) intrinsic beauty that is not merely acquired through calculation.

Halloween Arachnid. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Stonecrop

October 15, 2015

13 comments

stonecrop

by any other flower

being

(if only for an hour)

beyond many

a gift

beyond foolish narrow time

living

(and always forever fine)

beyond any

Stonecrop (Sedum causticola) (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Stonecrop (Sedum causticola) (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Beyond the gilded cage…

October 11, 2015

9 comments

Existing in fallacy is to remain clinging to learned or absorbed false systems or mistaken beliefs. A truly dynamic, liberated mind is one that likely transcends beyond all (given) beliefs and manmade patterns… being a mind that perceives without contamination that has been absorbed from others. It is easy to exist in a slapdash way, merely allowing others (many of whom want power and control) to tell you how to do things. However, unless one looks with the purity of non-contamination, then what one perceives and believes in may merely be extensions of what others (with motivations involving power and suppression) have planted. When one supposedly has a belief, it is very likely that one is that belief… not merely something separate (from some kind of manufactured distance) “having” it.

The beauty of real innocence and pure perception (which is what is truly unsullied) is that they — together as one — are beyond secondhand values. Real innocence transcends self-importance, pompous display, and it goes beyond mere accumulation. In mere accumulation — including the gathering of images and beliefs — there is a “getting more and more,” which inflates the self (via increments of images, internal components, and others’ patterns). With uncontaminated, innocent perception, there is a seeing beyond the self and the accumulations that fill (and make) the self. It may be that profound relationship goes beyond any mental accumulations that constitute the self. Real relationship and true selflessness may not be two different things.

Dragonfly and Damselfly. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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On the nature of nature…

October 4, 2015

12 comments

It is great to go out and enjoy nature, being very appreciative of all that nature offers. There is tremendous beauty and order in nature. Even the more brutal, violent things that occur in (and “as”) nature are part of a larger, overall order that is truly immense. Those who are not at all interested in nature, who are not interested in the outdoors and in the many diverse plants and animals, are not to be envied; they are missing something in their lives; really, a life without “life” may not be much of a life at all.

When one experiences nature, how does one experience it? If one merely experiences it as an outside “observer,” then there is a very good chance that one is looking with distance and separation. However, if one looks passionately, deeply, without the contamination from the way that one was supposedly “educated,” then there may be real perception, real contact and relationship with (and “as”) what nature is. Then you and nature are not merely two separate things. Nature is alive; but if you look at it through a bunch of dead (learned and absorbed) images, are you really perceiving the immensity of nature? It is easy to look via distance and separation, and with learned, dead concepts and say, “Oh yes, indeed, I am one with nature, one with the whole!” However, that may be rather meaningless unless one profoundly goes beyond what was instilled in (and “as”) one throughout the past. With (and “as”) the past is how most of us view nature. We look with preconceived symbols, stiff images, learned distance and separation, labels, and lifeless concepts absorbed in the past… and so we are not really looking much at all; instead, our perceiving is contaminated. Our very concept of self — that thinks it is doing the looking — is (in itself) a learned, separate, rather defunct thought/set of thoughts.

Interestingly, through intense awareness and keen insight, if one gets to that point (which really isn’t a “point” at all, by the way), then one is beyond where boredom, depression, and indifference can take a hold. Without being dependent upon dead, internal images and symbols, one is where real life, fortunately enough, truly blossoms, just as it does in profound nature. Then one doesn’t need to take mind-altering drugs or cling to artificial, unnatural, man-made things, leaders, and systems. (Many, unfortunately, are like walking graveyards, and they don’t even realize it.) Then — unlike most, who were taught to cling to (and supposedly live as) dead symbols, musty conceptual images, and stagnant, repetitive patterns — one is where real living flowers. Then one doesn’t even need to constantly experience nature (or constantly experience anything, for that matter)… because there exists a flowing vitality, immensity, and intensity that is beyond (at times) the need for images, experiences, and “absorbing more and more, and still more.”

Silver-spotted Skipper (or something beyond a mere label). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Beyond the whole of merely the bowl…

October 2, 2015

13 comments

it was hiding in plain sight

the unconditionedwhole

but she never really saw it

like she did the littlegreen bowl

it was always to be seen

beyond cadaverous illusion or disjointed dream

but separative frag ments can not be it

like a drop ped b owl that was gre en

it’s popular to show off your wares

to all you know, to many friends of natty seg ments

but real joy is not to splinters shown

nor can be vis u ally ad mired by bro ken frag ments

Bowl Mushroom (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Bowl Mushroom (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Where living and dying are one

September 27, 2015

15 comments

So many of us live in — and “as” — fear without ever fully realizing it. Most of us remain in the structures and patterns of what we were taught… and comfortably remain there; we are either afraid or indifferent about going beyond. The older we get, the more set in our ways we get. So many of us — as we age — lose our mental pliability and flexibility; we become rigid, rather robotic followers of old, worn-out traditions that supposedly exist to save us and protect us. (Unfortunately, many of these traditions keep us in our place and fill certain individuals with power, money, and prestige.)

When fear exists, are you something separate from what that fear is? Most of us were taught that we are separate from our fears, desires, and systems of thinking. A truly wise human being can realize that fear (and what he or she is)… are not two separate things. (Of course, one is not merely just “fear.”) We run from our fears without truly facing them, without really being in an orderly relationship with them. A man might say, “I am dealing with my fears.” Therein, a learned image, involving self, is a separative part of a conditioned system that includes conditioned fear. However, one part of a conditioned system cannot “get rid of” (or “adequately resolve”) another part of a conditioned system. There might be alteration, subjugation, and the appearance that it did (get rid of something), but two wrongs don’t make a right, not in the long run. Ultimately, there is still disorder in (and “as”) what uses disorderly (i.e., false) means as a way to resolve psychological issues.

Real, pristine awareness, without needless friction, can shed a light on things and renew the mind (helping it to exist as order). However, if one is burdened with needless friction, conditioning, and false separation (and overburdened with symbols) — such as a concept of “me” or “myself” being something separate from the fear — then conditioned, learned images interfere with that spontaneous, pure awareness that is not merely a part of some (man-made) or primitive process of reaction. So, the enlightened being perceives without all that accumulated rigamarole that takes time. Transcending false values and conditioned reactions need not take time; but using erroneous, internal, false procedures depends upon time. For instance, with a wise being, there is often an intense awareness wherein conditioned, manmade (internal) symbols instantly (without taking time) dissipate (without some separate, internal entity trying to end them). (Any images “trying to end them” are merely part of the whole of the conditioned structure. One part of this conditioned structure thinking it is separate from another part — trying to control it — furthers erroneous division and extends conditioning.) So, with an entity who is truly wise, there exists a timeless “dying” or “ending” of the conditioned. No separate image of self or absorbed method is doing this; (otherwise it is merely just a part of the conditioning). Most people (in their acceptance of tradition and as part of their conditioning) put “dying” far away from daily life. However, a truly perspicacious individual is daily dying (with a huger than huge smile)… psychologically dying to (and “as”) false, dead symbols, methodologies, and rudimentary reactions. Such timeless dying (beyond any archaic, dead methodology of the stagnant past) is what is truly living (in the deepest, true sense). Observation without a pattern, without a method, without learned separation and symbols… is effortless and does not involve a technique to robotically practice over time. The masses, with their conditioned, fossilized methodologies and antiquated systems: that may be where the nasty (most real) kind of death is. That (unfortunately) is the fossilized matrix where most of them are buried, while thinking they are alive. Unfortunately, for the most part, pointing out about leaving it, to them, is like explaining the value of gold to frogs.

So, in this, living and dying are one. (The previous statement has a double meaning.) However, for the masses, they are something separate… as are so many things (for them), including their limited concepts of self.

Tree Frog climbing around the porch (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Tree Frog climbing around the porch (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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There was this me… and every time this me looked…

September 25, 2015

5 comments

There was this me

and every time this me looked

it saw what me was looking at

(This me was very orthodox…

being brought up by orthodoxy,

being cultivated by — and “as”– orthodoxy)

This me thought it was something separate

from the perceptions that it was taught it “had”

There was this movement without a center

and, when looking was taking place,

perceiving was what was…

without some separate center

doing the perceiving

(This nonme was not very orthodox…

having psychologically died t0 — and “as”– orthodoxy)

There was this primitive conditioning

and every time this cadaverous conditioning looked

it saw what it was programmed to primitively see

There was this freedom from the known

and often — beyond indoctrination —

it moved livingly/compassionately/sagaciously

without a static blueprint

without some canned and pickled doctrine

that — in rigidity — it would blindly cling to

Above and below. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Infinite potential…

September 20, 2015

21 comments

(This posting is dedicated to the late Professor David Bohm, Theoretical Physicist, who specialized in Quantum Mechanics. I used to have some very good one-on-one conversations with David.)

In quantum mechanics, when a separate observer looks at (or tries to measure) subatomic phenomena, the (endless) waveform collapses and there is an object that, for instance, exists in a distinct place, duration, or time. (The waveform can exist at many places at once and has qualities of infinity.) We are perpetually measuring things, even when we are not fully conscious of doing so. Labeling things, identifying things, naming things, existing from one word-oriented symbol to the next… are all (in their own way) forms of measuring, categorizing, and assessing. We were taught that the observer is doing the measuring, doing the categorizing, and doing the assessing. However, is the observer truly separate from what the measuring, categorization, and assessment are constituted of? Without measurement and assessment, without the usage of symbolism, the (separate) observer does not exist. (Selfishness, by the way, requires the measurement that forges and invents a separate observer; therein, limitation is involved.)

Measuring (and all that type of process) is necessary at times. Measuring, calculating, labeling, assessment (and all that) was drilled into us throughout our education. However, they never taught us, or seriously suggested, that there are times when we can go beyond these things. They had us live in thought, exist in thought, and worship thought. They never suggested that we need not put all of our eggs in that one basket… the basket of thought (as measurement, categorizing, and assessing). They never suggested that thought and thinking is a tool… (and need not be the essence of the organism). You know, when you make tools all important, and forget about the living thing, you become rather robotic and mechanized… rather unalive. Our “self concepts,” too, are all (basically) learned symbols. Symbols are not the actuality; a description of an insect isn’t the insect. But so many of us exist from one symbol to another; even when we look at things, we tend to see through (and “as”) a screen of learned symbols.

We can exist beyond symbolism, measurement, and tool utilization… though symbolism, measurement, and tool utilization is often very necessary and prudent. This is not some fanciful living the the here and now. (Psychologically clinging to the here and now is rather like the collapse of the waveform; often involved in it are learned measurement, categorization, and assessment.) Most minds will not be appreciative of this. Most minds were indoctrinated by measurement (“with” and “as” measurement). This is unfortunate, because the measureless has a quality of true infinity to it. Limited — rather virtual — symbols (involving “self” or “not self”) can never capture or grasp that nonsymbolic, real, illimitable quality.

Empty Exoskeleton of a Grasshopper (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Empty Exoskeleton of a Grasshopper (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Fitting In…

September 13, 2015

9 comments

It’s easy to “fit in”… to merely accept what the crowd (i.e., what the masses) say is the truth. It’s easy to comfortably “fit in” and lazily go along with what special groups say. That is where many find security and that is where they are all too willing to absorb what others maintain. Nazi Germany — and the way its people would blindly follow — was an example of this. But to intelligently question everything, to stand alone, to deviate (psychologically and profoundly) from the norm is not easy; it is very arduous and it is where one puts security aside. Many will not at all care for this; they will maintain that their special group has the answers; however, this (true independence and standing alone) may be the only way to come upon actual truth; otherwise one is stuck with old, secondhand, stagnant, and primitive values and traditions (which hamper real, legitimate discovery). Most are too conditioned, too rigidly formulated from the mold that society utilized to fabricate their structure; they will — one way or another — dismiss any real invitation to independently probe deeply.

Most will not ever realize that the very way we observe things is heavily conditioned. It is ironic that some, in the past — like the historic Christ (as can be seen in The Gospel of Thomas, Q, and the pre-narrative Mark) — transcended beyond normality and invited others to look within and find out for themselves… and that, after they died, others (over time) intentionally distorted and twisted their message in order to maintain power, authority, position, money, security, and control.

No one but you can discover the uncontaminated truth. However, if that “you” is a product of what was learned… then it will likely only find by way of limitation, contamination, and “secondhandedness.” (One’s very concept of self, for most, is a learned image/symbol, or a set of learned symbols.) When distortion looks… what it perceives is of distortion. The masses and the patterns of their world are full of distortion. Very few independently and sagaciously go beyond that, but (to be truly wise and not deceived) going beyond is absolutely necessary.

Clustered and apart. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Will you join the grasshopper looking at the dancing ant?…

September 10, 2015

3 comments

One must

put up barriers

keep

oneself

in time

On the lighted stage… (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

On the lighted stage… (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Something to reflect upon…

September 6, 2015

9 comments

As she brushed

her long, flowing, blond hair,

she continued to admire her radiant beauty

in the large mirror.

However, she didn’t

reflect enough

around that superficial mirror.

She never realized that

the beauty that she was

a part of extended as

the trees, the butterflies,

the bees, the rocks,

and the fish.

Her mind was apart from the whole

which, when it’s all said and (never) done,

may be apart from

the real beauty.

Green Tree Frog in Flower. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Green Tree Frog in Flower. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Beyond the here and the now…

August 23, 2015

3 comments

Most of us, in existence — because of the way we were educated (or miseducated) — are immersed almost exclusively in the conceptual, rather than in what is of real energy and substance. Our concepts (and our perceptions that are based on concepts) are almost always about virtual patterns and images; they are seldom (or never) of the essence of actual energy. Our modes of consciousness are almost always based around “patterns” within energy; we are seldom (or never) pure and unadulterated energy. Certain people and groups maintain that you should strive to exist in the “here and now” to better come into contact with that pristine energy (or the essence or source behind all things). (They’ll give you all kinds of techniques or methods for getting to the “here and now,” which is so ludicrous, as if a technique from the past can fabricate the present.) Really, for many, the “here and now” is often the result of more concepts, more propositions and proposals put forward by others to absorb and react to. Then such a “here” or such a “now” becomes a learned frame of mind or mindset (that seems to be divorced from the past), but that really is an extension from (and of) the past. Perhaps the conditioned recognition of the “now” (as being separate from the past and the future) requires reactions (from the past) that negate the actuality of really being in (a now that is not merely part of the past). So there is a strong possibility that the moment you recognize that you are in “the here and now”… you really aren’t in (or of) it.

Most of us are endlessly talkative (to ourselves), endlessly chattering (or visualizing mental images) throughout the day (and night, as we sleep). We thrive on these endlessly chattering patterns… we are these endlessly chattering patterns. We are used to being the past, endlessly restructuring itself from (and “as”) patterns that were learned and absorbed. If the mind (naturally, without method or effort) is quiet (at times) throughout the day, (extremely aware and alert, but without endlessly chattering to itself internally), then at night it can really rest and sleep (without any continuing and habitual, conditioned chattering). Then, when it sleeps, dreams (and the many absurd patterns that they entail) need not take place; then the mind can really rest and gather energy, without friction, without fears, inner struggles, needless conflict, and all that clutter. Then, when such a mind wakes, it is naturally (without any effort whatsoever) quiet. In that quietness, there is no conflict, struggle, friction, control, or domination. Then there’s no recognition of a “now” separate from the past or the future; but there is an intensity (an intelligent awareness) without dependence upon anything — not even dependence upon recognition and knowledge (which so many are frightened to leave) — (and this includes being beyond the patterns that were poured into it when it was younger). Then, when it looks, it doesn’t merely robotically perceive what was taught. Such a mind is truly alive and doesn’t exclusively perceive through (and “as”) the screen of the learned/programmed past.

Downsideup. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Post

The substantial… (Multi-Photo)

August 20, 2015

13 comments

If one cares to understand the entirety (i.e., the completeness) of the universe as a whole, then one must essentially be complete in oneself. One can’t be complete in oneself if one merely perceives fragmentarily, with conflict, separation, and with mere conceptual images that were learned. So many try to spread their conceptual images of what they themselves absorbed (in terms of what they believe wisdom and truth to be). However, truth is never secondhand, and it is never what one merely rearranged or calculated from what one absorbed from others. Too many (online and in books) try to point the way to truth, when — throughout their entire life — enlightenment never occurred. Many merely share what they were brainwashed with (or “as”), which isn’t (usually) real substantial sharing at all. When the blind lead the blind, both eventually end up in the ditch. Writing about facts and about certain basic things like “love for others” or about “love of life and all of life’s creatures” is good (from others) and admirable; however, when they go beyond that and spill into delicate philosophical areas, without having gone beyond secondhand concepts or realizations, that is something else.

Profound truth is never secondhand, nor a free ride; you have to do the work. Don’t adhere to what anyone says about what the truth is; discard all leaders, gurus, sages, religious cults, and all those popular lemming groups. Find out for yourself. If you don’t find out for yourself, then what is discovered will (more than likely) largely be conceptual or rehashed… which is no substantial discovery whatsoever.

In the pink. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Not In the pink. (Digital Charcoal). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Post

It’s taking off time… (Multi-Photo)

August 16, 2015

5 comments

It’s taking off time

4 the bee.

4 U 2 soar, beyond being and unbeing,

there must be taking off time

4 U.

U can’t be there

if U are not taking off time.

A mere sequence of accumulating

patterns and experiences in time

isn’t soaring;

it’s unsoaring-merelybeing.

Every now and then

(beyond the mere groping after sequential patterns or the mere running away from patterns)

take off some time

(beyond conflict) and soar.

Taking off time. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Taking off time. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Post

Fishing…

August 12, 2015

5 comments

Fishing for insects

in the lake so blue

did you realize

that what your eye can catch is you?

Are you searching for truth

as you sit in your chair?

Do eye realize that what is here

is an extension of what’s out there?

Fishing for insects. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Post

Be Balm

July 24, 2015

11 comments

In an oscillating universe, if an entity does not get it together and transcend mediocrity psychologically, then the consequences remain infinitesimally dull, like a seed that never germinates. If one flowers and grows, the winds of enlightenment may be truly endless.

Wild Beebalm. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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Internal disorder is projected outwardly…

July 20, 2015

2 comments

Interesting, isn’t it, about how perfectly the universe works with orderly sequences creating the higher elements via nuclear fusion, with supernovas (creating rare elements) and the like, all with immense order and precision? Yet isn’t it curious how we humans — many of us — live in tremendous disorder, with wars, violence, deceit, damage to the environment, manipulation via power, and all kinds of disorder that is willing to let others be harmed? So amongst all of the order, there is the continuing disorder of man; and that needs to change.

Facing it. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Post

Limitations….

July 19, 2015

4 comments

One of the fundamental problems — which was observed even when one was rather young (in college days) — was that people who were trying to transcend beyond the self (in order to meditate or merge with the whole) were still clinging (in various ways) to the notion of a central “I” or central “ego.” Innumerable people would each say things like: “This is my form of meditation which I practice daily.” Or: “I am observing my behavior throughout the entire day.” Or: “I watch thoughts as they take place and vanish from consciousness.”

Separating the “I”, psychologically, from the rest of thought/thinking and maintaining that it has control is a waste of time and energy, and it contributes to friction and separation within (and “as”) the mind. A dog perpetually trying to catch its own tail wastes energy (though in such a case it may at least be getting some needed exercise). As was stated before (in previous posts)… one can function quite easily without the ego (which is, in itself, inherently false anyway). Thoughts are tools used by organisms in order to achieve certain ends. Maintaining that there is a central agency that is “separate from and controls these thoughts” may not be at all accurate. (See my previous posts about the corpus callosum.) Thoughts are conditioned responses; the manifestation of the “I” or “me” is another conditioned response, another thought or projected symbol. Ego projections overly utilizing the “I” or the “me” are manifestations of brains that have some transformation or evolving to do. The ego, being a falsity, tends to create an erroneous psychological radius and circumference around itself… (which tends to involve separation, learned space, and indifference). Nullification of the “I” or the ego does not destroy boundless intelligence nor the eternity and timelessness of dynamic wisdom.

Though one can still use the term “I” in conversations with people, one may not — if one is fully aware — use it as a reference to a central point. When not talking or communicating with others, this movement — while thinking internally — often uses “we” instead of “I.” Or one can use the term: “this movement” (instead of “I”). Of course, the “I” can represent all of one’s thoughts; but one is actually far more than conditioned mental reactions… and far more than some temporary, biological mass. This isn’t some kind of mental game. If we were educated wrongly and cling to primitive falsities, we will remain in what is a circumscribed circumference that perpetuates limitation and disorder.

Ant on Lichen. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Post

Effortlessness… (Multi-Photo)

July 12, 2015

8 comments

Effortlessness is essential in regard to being a mind that is open to real wisdom and harmony in (and “as”) the universe. Effortlessness occurs when the mind is not merely regulating and performing things from what seems to be a center (i.e., central point) and as mere fragmentary reactions. Effortlessness exists beyond measuring and copying (i.e., imitating what was learned). The moment one knows or thinks that one is in a state of effortlessness, effortlessness is likely negated. In effortlessness there is no imagery of an observer separate from the observed; and in deep effortlessness, the observed undergoes a transformation into what exists beyond mere categorization and rote recognition. A wise individual in effortlessness is not merely lazy; on the contrary, true effortlessness is tremendous, majestic/intelligent action; one can do many things while effortlessness is taking place, wherein the acting and the actor are not two separate things. One can be diligently watering and caring for some garden plants, for example, and be in a state of effortlessness. There can also be effortlessness while sitting or sleeping.

Involved in all this is an effortless psychological dying from moment to moment. Deep psychological creativity manifests as a measureless, unbridled dying from moment to moment. Only a mind engaging in such psychological dying can be renewed from moment to moment, without merely carrying the burden of the past. A mind that is not of such dying is likely stuck in the past, (which is stale, rehashed, and what is truly fundamentally dead). A mind that clings to being a separate observer, that clings to merely being “known and accumulated patterns that react” (and project themselves from a supposed center that was learned), is not likely to be the joy of the measureless and the freedom of profound depth. A mind of effortlessness, unlike innumerable other minds, does not often waste energy (with internal friction involving conflict, fields of separation, and mere fragmentary struggles).

Only a mind of effortlessness is what is immersed in profound grace. Minds not of such grace are involved with friction, conflict, rigid images, separation, and psychological energy wastage. A mind full of feelings of domination from a (supposed) central point is composed of patterns of subjugation and tyrannizing influences that eclipse pristine perception and waste time and energy.

Insect in Lily. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Insect in Lily – crayon version. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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The beauty of the unknown exists beyond the confines of that nest… (Multi-Photo)

June 26, 2015

15 comments

When we are young, we are like fledglings, depending on the those who are more mature to help us to do well and survive. However, at some point, we (if we are to really soar in life) have to leave the nest. As human beings, many of us never actually leave the nest; we continue to depend. We cling to the ideologies, patterns, religions, politics, traditions, and habits imprinted upon us by others; and so we never really independently soar. Most of us “feel safe,” nested in their ways and traditions. For human beings, however, true enlightenment is never merely within the circumscribed confines of a limited, little nest (or prepared space). Most of us are afraid to take the plunge, to let go of all the habits and traditions that we have been nesting in. Most merely cling to symbols, words, representations, ideologies, and learned concepts of (and including) a central “I”… and never ascend from being supposedly “safely nested” in those limited conceptions. That is why most never soar, and it is as simple as that.

Hatched and Hatching. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Unhatched. Photo by Thomas Peace c.2015

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Time and Timelessness… Quartet #1: Burnt Norton

June 14, 2015

2 comments

BURNT NORTON (by T.S. Eliot)
(No. 1 of ‘Four Quartets’)
I

Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is unredeemable.
What might have been is an abstraction
Remaining a perpetual possibility
Only in a world of speculation.
What might have been and what has been
Point to one end, which is always present.
Footfalls echo in the memory
Down the passage which we did not take
Towards the door we never opened
Into the rose-garden. My words echo
Thus, in your mind.
But to what purpose
Disturbing the dust on a bowl of rose-leaves
I do not know.
Other echoes
Inhabit the garden. Shall we follow?
Quick, said the bird, find them, find them,
Round the corner. Through the first gate,
Into our first world, shall we follow
The deception of the thrush? Into our first world.
There they were, dignified, invisible,
Moving without pressure, over the dead leaves,
In the autumn heat, through the vibrant air,
And the bird called, in response to
The unheard music hidden in the shrubbery,
And the unseen eyebeam crossed, for the roses
Had the look of flowers that are looked at.
There they were as our guests, accepted and accepting.
So we moved, and they, in a formal pattern,
Along the empty alley, into the box circle,
To look down into the drained pool.
Dry the pool, dry concrete, brown edged,
And the pool was filled with water out of sunlight,
And the lotos rose, quietly, quietly,
The surface glittered out of heart of light,
And they were behind us, reflected in the pool.
Then a cloud passed, and the pool was empty.
Go, said the bird, for the leaves were full of children,
Hidden excitedly, containing laughter.
Go, go, go, said the bird: human kind
Cannot bear very much reality.
Time past and time future
What might have been and what has been
Point to one end, which is always present.

Garlic and sapphires in the mud
Clot the bedded axle-tree.
The trilling wire in the blood
Sings below inveterate scars
Appeasing long forgotten wars.
The dance along the artery
The circulation of the lymph
Are figured in the drift of stars
Ascend to summer in the tree
We move above the moving tree
In light upon the figured leaf
And hear upon the sodden floor
Below, the boarhound and the boar
Pursue their pattern as before
But reconciled among the stars.

At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless;
Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is,
But neither arrest nor movement. And do not call it fixity,
Where past and future are gathered. Neither movement from nor towards,
Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point,
There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.
I can only say, there we have been: but I cannot say where.
And I cannot say, how long, for that is to place it in time.
The inner freedom from the practical desire,
The release from action and suffering, release from the inner
And the outer compulsion, yet surrounded
By a grace of sense, a white light still and moving,
Erhebung without motion, concentration
Without elimination, both a new world
And the old made explicit, understood
In the completion of its partial ecstasy,
The resolution of its partial horror.
Yet the enchainment of past and future
Woven in the weakness of the changing body,
Protects mankind from heaven and damnation
Which flesh cannot endure.
Time past and time future
Allow but a little consciousness.
To be conscious is not to be in time
But only in time can the moment in the rose-garden,
The moment in the arbour where the rain beat,
The moment in the draughty church at smokefall
Be remembered; involved with past and future.
Only through time time is conquered.

III

Here is a place of disaffection
Time before and time after
In a dim light: neither daylight
Investing form with lucid stillness
Turning shadow into transient beauty
With slow rotation suggesting permanence
Nor darkness to purify the soul
Emptying the sensual with deprivation
Cleansing affection from the temporal.
Neither plenitude nor vacancy. Only a flicker
Over the strained time-ridden faces
Distracted from distraction by distraction
Filled with fancies and empty of meaning
Tumid apathy with no concentration
Men and bits of paper, whirled by the cold wind
That blows before and after time,
Wind in and out of unwholesome lungs
Time before and time after.
Eructation of unhealthy souls
Into the faded air, the torpid
Driven on the wind that sweeps the gloomy hills of London,
Hampstead and Clerkenwell, Campden and Putney,
Highgate, Primrose and Ludgate. Not here
Not here the darkness, in this twittering world.

Descend lower, descend only
Into the world of perpetual solitude,
World not world, but that which is not world,
Internal darkness, deprivation
And destitution of all property,
Desiccation of the world of sense,
Evacuation of the world of fancy,
Inoperancy of the world of spirit;
This is the one way, and the other
Is the same, not in movement
But abstention from movement; while the world moves
In appetency, on its metalled ways
Of time past and time future.

Time and the bell have buried the day,
The black cloud carries the sun away.
Will the sunflower turn to us, will the clematis
Stray down, bend to us; tendril and spray
Clutch and cling?

Chill
Fingers of yew be curled
Down on us? After the kingfisher’s wing
Has answered light to light, and is silent, the light is still
At the still point of the turning world.

Words move, music moves
Only in time; but that which is only living
Can only die. Words, after speech, reach
Into the silence. Only by the form, the pattern,
Can words or music reach
The stillness, as a Chinese jar still
Moves perpetually in its stillness.
Not the stillness of the violin, while the note lasts,
Not that only, but the co-existence,
Or say that the end precedes the beginning,
And the end and the beginning were always there
Before the beginning and after the end.
And all is always now. Words strain,
Crack and sometimes break, under the burden,
Under the tension, slip, slide, perish,
Decay with imprecision, will not stay in place,
Will not stay still. Shrieking voices
Scolding, mocking, or merely chattering,
Always assail them. The Word in the desert
Is most attacked by voices of temptation,
The crying shadow in the funeral dance,
The loud lament of the disconsolate chimera.

The detail of the pattern is movement,
As in the figure of the ten stairs.
Desire itself is movement
Not in itself desirable;
Love is itself unmoving,
Only the cause and end of movement,
Timeless, and undesiring
Except in the aspect of time
Caught in the form of limitation
Between un-being and being.
Sudden in a shaft of sunlight
Even while the dust moves
There rises the hidden laughter
Of children in the foliage
Quick now, here, now, always—
Ridiculous the waste sad time
Stretching before and after.

The Rose Garden. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Post

Beyond learning from the old past… (Multi-Photo)

June 4, 2015

2 comments

Instead of going

out

and seeing a tulip

go out

look at everythingtogether-

withoutseparateformslabelsnames-

andwithouttherebeinganyseparation-

fromwhatyouactuallyare

you can

and

with a very

sep

rate

ego

see

what

you

were

taught

sep

tion

Whatever. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Whatever (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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To look, without all that slop, on a fine Spring Day… (Multi-photo)

May 10, 2015

3 comments

To look, on a fine Spring Day,

at what you are not

from what you are…

takes an assimilated separation

of “me” and “not me.”

But that looking isn’t “looking”…

it’s merely repeatedly hurling what was absorbed.

To really look, on a fine Spring Day,

at what’s real,

is to look without separation,

without the gobbled “known.”

And that means looking

without the ingested “me” or “I”…

for otherwise, it’s habitually regurgitating

what was consumed.

Together as one. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Together as one. (Color Pencil rendition). (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Post

Nothing is hidden from that otherness… (Multi-Photo)

April 15, 2015

12 comments

For the sacred to visit you and be palpable, your innocence must be discernible and unmistakable. That innocence must penetrate far beyond crude conventionality. That innocence stands alone and is different… not for the sake of being different, but because it perceives deeply beyond the ordinary.

Open for business. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

Open for business. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015

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