This is a fossil i’ve had for quite some time. It’s a fossil Badger from the Miocene Period (around 12 million years old) from the Gansu Province, China.
Badgers are very tidy, orderly, well-groomed animals and keep their deep burrows and bedding scrupulously clean. They sometimes team up with Coyotes to hunt. What the Coyotes can’t catch, because the prey scurry into holes… the Badgers dig up. What the Badgers can’t catch, because they can’t sprint fast, the Coyotes capture.
People ought to, instead of being so competitive, be more cooperative. Additionally: Most Badgers understand that going deep is prudent; i wish a lot more of those (humans) satisfied with the superficial – instead of just getting upset about petty details, though making a mess of their lives while neglecting the whole – would be more orderly and go deeper!
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12 million year old Badger Fossil, Miocene Period, Gansu Province, China (many of my friends are fossilized!) … photo by Thomas Peace 2014
. Deep intelligence sees that the psychological dichotomy between the “controller” of ideas and the “ideas” is essentially fallacious and illusory; one’s ideas and feelings are what one actually is… not — as we were erroneously taught — something at a distance that one “has.” Your reactions and thoughts are not truly separate from what you are. Conflict inwardly can project as conflict outwardly.
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At an end and a new beginning… female Widow Skimmer Dragonfly … photo by Thomas Peace 2014
. Years ago when one was in parochial school, we were required to attend mass, in the church, every day before classes. As a youngster, kneeling in church as the requisite rules called for, i remember thinking: “God is not here (locked up for us to visit), God is outdoors among nature and the good, great outdoors.” I remember feeling like being in prison… but i realized that, some day, i would get out. Later, while in college (and away from home), i purchased a rock music album that happened to have lyrics that really “hit home” with me. The album was entitled “Aqualung”… and the second half of the album contained lyrics helping one to question orthodox perspectives about spirituality and, instead, think (and discover) for oneself. This album, among others, was integral for me regarding my independent search within the realm of the spiritual/philosophical. That search became far more important to me than girlfriends, far more important than having a good time, competing in the job market, or being admired by others in the social realm. I am very appreciative of that album and others like it. I feel that my writings and photos (and especially my book) attest to the fact that independent inquiry (including intelligent doubting and searching) is not only worthwhile… but very noble, fruitful, and magnificent. (Of course, one may be all wrong about this… and may still be primarily just a fool.) 😉
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Later in life, it was a pleasant surprise to discover that the historical Jesus himself seemed to not be in favor of — as my book is indicative of — orthodoxy, temples, and the priests within. It was the high priests, the Sanhedrin (in their fancy robes), that accused him of things and arranged to have him killed by the Romans. After the death of the historical Christ, there were many gospels and versions of gospels that many people could choose from. Ironically, it was high priests that eventually chose the ones they wanted people to adhere to; they (like they did to the historical Jesus) arranged to have those that cherished other versions… to be terminated and destroyed. Likewise their (banned) bibles were destroyed and discarded.
Many of the top biblical scholars of today acknowledge that the ancient Gospel of Thomas — discovered by a peasant in 1945 in an earthenware jug, (and also in Greek fragments in an ancient dump heap) — was very likely existent before the Gospels of Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John. The apostles did not, it is well known, write the four orthodox gospels. The gospels called Luke and Matthew copied Mark; some scholars contend that John is a rebuttal against the Gospel of Thomas.
from the ancient Gospel of Thomas:
Jesus said, “Why have you come out to the countryside? To see a reed shaken by the wind? And to see a person dressed in soft clothes, [like your] rulers and your powerful ones? They are dressed in soft clothes, and they cannot understand truth.”
From the Gosp. of Thomas, Greek dump heap POxy 1 fragment:
[Jesus says], “Where there are [three, they are without] God, and where there is only [one], I say, I am with that one. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there. Split a piece of wood, and I am there.”
Lyrics from the song Wind Up… from the Aqualung album by Jethro Tull:
“Wind-Up”
When I was young, and they packed me off to school and taught me how not to play the game, I didn’t mind if they groomed me for success, or if they said that I was a fool. So I left there in the morning with their God tucked underneath my arm — their half-assed smiles and the book of rules. So I asked this God a question and by way of firm reply, He said — I’m not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays. So to my old headmaster (and to anyone who cares): before I’m through, I’d like to say my prayers: I don’t believe you, you had the whole damn thing all wrong — He’s not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays. Well you can excommunicate me on my way to Sunday school
and have all the bishops harmonize these lines — How do you dare tell me that I’m my Father’s son
when that was just an accident of Birth. I’d rather look around me — compose a better song `cos that’s the honest measure of my worth. In your pomp and all your glory you’re a poorer man than me, as you lick the boots of death born out of fear. I don’t believe you, you had the whole damn thing all wrong — He’s not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays.
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A dancer to another tune… Blue-fronted Dancer Damselfly… photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Dorothy to Glinda (in Oz): “If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard, because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.” … Photo (from the backyard) by Thomas Peace 2014
. You don’t have to believe in anything to enjoy and love nature; you don’t have to swallow dead doctrines to love others and all of life’s creatures.
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John the Baptist – whom the historical Christ followed – was far from the bureaucratic temples, and didn’t believe in them. J.C. tore up temples. …photo by Thomas Peace 2014
. A true, effortless silence between two thoughts… can be the immense awareness that perceives without symbolism, illusory control, conflict, and separation.
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Red Admiral Butterfly resting… photo by Thomas Peace 2014
. In the deck of cards that life hands to you, you can dig for diamonds with spades — yes you can — but don’t just (though you may stand with others) belong to separative, little clubs (i.e. isolated, institutional groups) that divide some hands from others while viewing those “others” (as separate and inferior) without a lot of heart.
. If Nietzsche were alive today, I’d, from behind, maybe gently kick him in the pants… to have him permanently understand how some things can truly come to an end. 😉
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Mushrooms amongst blades of grass… photo by Thomas Peace 2013
. If, psychologically, the “perceiver” is “the perceived,” then when outdoors summoning someone… you may be “calling out to invite the color of the sky.” 😉
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Grand Haven Kite Festival… photo by Thomas Peace 2013
. This is one of my very favorite poems from one of my very favorite poets… the more than brilliant E.E. Cummings. Of course, as unusual, there is much more to the poem than (normally) meets the eye…
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now two old ladies sit peacefully knitting, and their names are sometimes and always
“i can’t understand what life could have seen in him” stitch – counting always severely remarks; and her sister (supress- ing a yawn)counters “o i don’t know; death’s rather attractive” — “attractive!why how can you say such a thing?when i think of my poor dear husband” – “now don’t be absurd:what i said was ‘rather attractive’,my dear;and you know very well that never was very much more than attractive,never was
stunning”(a crash. Both jump) “good heavens!” always exclaims “what was that?” — “well here comes your daughter” soothes sometimes;at which
death’s pretty young wife enters;wringing her hands,and wailing “that terrible child!”— “what”(sometimes and always together cry) “now?”— “my doll:my beautiful doll;the very first doll you gave me mother(when i could scarcely walk)with the eyes that opened and shut(you remember: don’t you,auntie;we called her love)and i’ve treasured her all these years,and today i went through a closet looking for something;and opened up a box,and there she lay:and when he saw her,he begged me to let him hold her;just once:and i told him ‘mankind,be careful; she’s terribly fragile:don’t break her,or mother’ll be angry’ “
and then(except for the clicking of needles)there was silence
. The last fish that the wise fisherman caught dangled from empathy.
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. [Side note]: When i was young, i used to have a Red-Bellied Piranha for many years… before, during, and after college. The red-bellied piranha is considered to be highly carnivorous, while most non-piranhas in the family are primarily herbivorous plant eaters. It should be noted that the red-bellied piranha is actually omnivorous. The vast majority of the teeth are hidden by the thick, flexible lips and are not visibly exposed. They periodically shed their teeth and grow new replacement teeth… thus keeping their teeth razor sharp. The teeth truly are razor sharp. One cannot use a regular fish-net while transporting them; they can instantly eat their way right through a regular net! I used to use metal colanders instead of nets. Within aquariums, they can chop up thick plastic plants easily in one snap. They are very beautiful fish in their own way.
By the way, one used to fish a lot; one used to be an avid fisherman… catching all kinds of fish when others couldn’t. I haven’t fished for many years now.
Red-Bellied Piranha … Shedd Aquarium, Chicago … photo by Thomas Peace 2013
. Boundless and immense insight naturally goes beyond borders… such as the borders which separate the past, present, and future.
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. This is a Panda Corydoras… a miniature type of freshwater catfish with a Panda Bear sort of appearance. They are extremely comical with their constant antics. The ones at our house produce babies now and then. This photo is of a young one that was hatched and raised here. I occasionally sell them via the mail or to pet stores.
Panda Corydoras (a different kind of Panda!)… by Thomas Peace 2013
. Keen wisdom/deep awareness is far from what infants are capable of… though deep, intrinsic innocence (such as the kind that the very young have) is necessary. Compassion involves (and comes from) growing.
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I’m often mistaken for being a bee! : Hover Fly … Drone Fly … by Thomas Peace 2013
I’m not a bee & I don’t sting! : Flying Hover Fly … Drone Fly … by Thomas Peace 2013
. That higher intelligence — that all-pervading energy — must affect men, in profound ways that are clearly evident to those who intelligently inquire.
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Just Hangin’ …. Cabbage White Butterfly … by Thomas Peace 2013
. Words and mental images, being mere symbolic representations, cannot take you to the zenith of understanding. What is limited can only go to a limited degree/extent.
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. Eastern Yellow Jackets:
They prey on insects and spiders. Their underground, globular paper nests, usually built in abandoned rodent burrows (it is said)… may contain as many as 5,000 workers and one queen. The ones which I photographed were expanding their underground breeding chambers; you can see two of them each diligently carrying a huge clump of moist dirt! [Double left click on the photo to get a closer look; hit left return arrow to return.] I was precariously close — they deliver a vicious sting — but I used to keep bees… and all went well! One could see that they were definitely aware of my presence; some were hovering next to my head, keeping a close eye on me. I moved slowly and they allowed me to get rather close to their “woman cave.”
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Raising a family isn’t easy (1)… Eastern Yellow Jackets … by Thomas Peace 2013
Raising a family isn’t easy (2)… Eastern Yellow Jackets … by Thomas Peace 2013
. Too many give excessive attention to the clever, very intelligent man… and give little or no attention to the simple, innocent, neglected, mentally handicapped.
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Getting together… Gladiator Katydid and a Scarlet-and-Green Leafhopper … by Thomas Peace 2013
. The hubbub of a disturbed and constantly chattering mind is incapable of being the calmness of the millpond that can reflect the truly orderly, the truly sacred.
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. Robber Fly:
Adults prey on wasps, bees, flies, and even larger insects such as dragonflies. They seize prey while “on the fly” with their spiny, grasping legs… and pierce the body with their stout mouthparts. They have very good eyesight.
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From Sherwood Forest… Robber Fly … by Thomas Peace 2013
. The network of existence that the universe has sewn for us to live in… is not a hammock wherein we can rightfully sleep indifferent and aloof from the real needs of others.
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Raccoon impersonator… Gray Squirrel… by Thomas Peace 2013
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 