.
You have to take it beyond the limit
and you are the limit.
Beyond that is a beautiful psychological (not physical) dying that is passionately burning…
but most are numbly frozen to something old, cold, and the chilling result of hardened learning.
Fluidly stream beyond that (and beyond rock solid words)…
reflect on what is rarely beautifully seen!
.
Frozen in Time. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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On an extremely small, green planet, there was a large animal called “horse” that had four legs…
and not one of the legs felt it was separate from the other legs.
Each leg — of “horse” — walked and galloped in great beauty and harmony with the other legs;
had one or more of the legs felt it(they) was(were) separate from the other legs,
“horse” would kick and buck in disharmony.
Upon this diminutive planet, called “earth,” there were also billions of inhabitants, called “humans,”
and these “humans,” with bipedal legs, mostly thought that they were separate from those
upon other legs. They often fought in vicious wars and kicked others who walked and ran on two legs.
They also hunted and harmed many of those walking on four legs and were also often mindlessly indifferent
about the environment containing all the legs. However, a small few sagaciously and harmoniously realized
that their legs were not at all separate… and that none of the legs were really separate whatsoever.
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(Note: Left click on the art-oriented one to see the detail. Click on arrow to return.)
Eight legs. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Eight legs. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Ignorance often doesn’t recognize its own ignorance. Wisdom often goes unrecognized by those who have little wisdom. Many even indifferently pass by the beauty of flowers and nature. Be beyond that!
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Beyond the stigma. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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“I think I’m separate from what is seen,”
said the complacent, lazy man.
“You probably are,”
said the wise man.
“I think I’m separate from what I visit,”
said the complacent, lazy man.
“You probably are,”
said the wise man.
“I think I’m separate from what is heard,”
said the complacent, lazy man.
“You probably are,”
said the wise man.
“I think I’m separate from what I want,”
said the complacent, lazy man.
“You probably are,”
said the wise man.
“I think I’m separate from what I dream,”
said the complacent, lazy man.
“You probably are,”
said the wise man.
I think I’m separate from what I think,”
said the complacent, lazy man.
“You probably are,”
said the wise man.
“I think I’m separate from the earth and the animals,”
said the complacent, lazy man.
“You probably are,”
said the wise man.
“I think I’m separate from people and their well being,”
said the complacent, lazy man.
“You probably are,”
said the wise man.
“I think I’m separate from whom I rob,”
said the complacent, lazy man.
“Your separate ‘eye’ is probably illusory,”
said the wise man,
as he closed a door
between
himself
and his blind complacency.
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Chives, together as one. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Chives, together as one. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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The crossing of the street
turned
and realized it was
the crossing of the street.
The flowing of the river
churned
and realized it was
the flowing of the river.
The oven being touched
burned
and realized it was
the oven being touched.
The aching of the heart
yearned
and realized it was
the aching of the heart.
The slavery to the job
earned
and realized it was
the slavery to the job.
The words of the poem
learned
and realized they were
the words of poem.
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The stillness of the spider squirmed. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
The stillness of the spider squirmed. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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she loves me
she loves me not
she loves me
she loves me not
she is me
she is me not
she is me
she is me not
images of her are me
images of her are me not
images of her are me
images of her are me not
Life wants us to rip up living flowers
Life wants us to rip up living flowers not
Life wants us to rip up living flowers
Life wants us to rip up living flowers not
Blossoming is me
Blossoming is me not
Blossoming is me
Blossoming is me not
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Petals intact. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Petals intact. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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True integrity is the honesty of perception; not being one thing… and then internally claiming (to yourself) to be something else; and it’s not pretense to others either! A truly mindful, wise being is unrelenting regarding seeing the actions that he or she is (precisely for what they are); in this, there are no lame excuses, cushioning rationalizations, or softening distortions. You are what you are at (and “as”) that moment in time… plain and simple… without all the extraneous deceit.
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A frog not a prince. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
A frog not a prince. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Look beyond the learned patterns; see beyond the limited, learned symbols!
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Together. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Together. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Insensitivity ignores nature, ignores truth, ignores others. Compassion and wisdom loves nature, perceives the truth, and helps others.
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Rarity. (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Rarity. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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the alcohol brought itself 2 a face
the movement toward the mouth was
slow
and
deliberate at 1st
then unnoticed things(which began
hap
in
ing
contin
you)
‘d
2 be unmanifested
the mouth opened 4 more
4 more
the brain closed
4 less
words mispronounced dayselves
justified 1 more
and sipped
in
2
oblivi
on
a clear
day
you can
see
4ever
the car
brought itself 2 a tree
da alcohol poem
brought itself
2 a close
the end
.
Horsetail growing not far from the tree (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Horsetail growing not far from the tree (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Physical threats can be escaped from… and psychological fears are not separate from what you are.
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The Jaws of Life (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
The Jaws of Life (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Ideals cause conflict and friction in the mind. Existing without them and without conflict is true intelligence. Instead of having (and “being”) mere ideals… observe what is taking place from moment to moment (without the conflict that occurs between the “ideal” and the “actuality”… or the conflict that occurs between “fantasized images of the watcher” and the “watched”) and let understanding and learning (beyond conflict) flower. Ideals cause friction between “what you actually are” and what “you wish to be.” Profound understanding trumps ideals every time! When you clearly understand that a certain snake is venomous and extremely poisonous, you naturally avoid getting bitten; you don’t need an ideal about not kissing that snake; intelligence and understanding naturally have you act with (and “as”) caution (beyond lame, fabricated ideals).
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Green in green (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
Green in green (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Though our situation may seem rather unlucky now and then… be appreciative for what you have (or who you are with) and are. We are very lucky to have gotten to this point in (and “as”) time and space, whomever we are.
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“I’m Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover”
(originally by Art Mooney)
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain
Third is the roses that grow in the lane
No need explaining
The one remaining is somebody I adore
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain
Third is the roses that grow in the lane
No need explaining
The one remaining is somebody I adore
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain
Third is the roses that grow in the lane
No need explaining
The one remaining is somebody I adore
I’m looking over a four leaf clover
I overlooked before
I overlooked before
I overlooked before
Be a 4-leaf clover (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Be a 4-leaf clover (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Prelude to
a dream
between the crushed
and convoluted sheets
with their
protruding
feet
Prelude to
a dream
a placid silence
attained by pillows
Things are
not
what they seem
.
Walking on Clouds (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Walking on Clouds (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Flowing movements(callingthemselvespeople)
see these actionsmovements(here)unfoldinglymove
and label it as me a nounstuckrocklikewithinagroove
Evolving observings streaming
and there’s a thinking that
themselves are firmandfixed
There’s metamorphosis movingbursting
here within and all around call
but learned chrylalis concentrated separations
continue to divide pigeonhole label and
stiffen cement and densify all
.
Unpinned (2). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Unpinned (1). Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Though experience is often very necessary, a truly wise mind is intrinsically fulfilled — without motive — and doesn’t always need to be experiencing; but a happy infant usually depends on its toys.
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Simply beeing. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
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Psychologically speaking (without fictitious, crass separation):
In seeing… the see-er is the scene; in hearing… the hearer is the heard; in learning… the learner is the learned; in driving… the driver is the driven; in thinking… the thinker is the thought; in reading (this)… the reader is the read.
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Jack and the Bean Stalk (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
Jack and the Bean Stalk (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Many have assumptions that the “I” is the central controller of thinking; but, the “I” is actually another one of the conditioned thoughts. Not fully realizing that causes all kinds of illusion, fragmentation, mischief, and needless conflict. One thought — even though it purports to be central — does not, in reality, truly govern, dominate, or keep “other” thoughts in subservience. Profound wisdom and intelligence goes beyond that needless falsity and is then composed of magnificent order that is far more parallel with that of the true, overall order of the universe.
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Topsy-turvy (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
Topsy-turvy (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Instead of seeing your actions (i.e., reactions, fears, biases, and treatment concerning others) from a distance, observe them without separation (and not from some learned, devised, isolated “central point”)… such that you are them.
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Close to the Edge… Yes. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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If learned, separative concepts and symbols tend to divorce you from others, nature, and the whole of life… change — look without learned separation — and get re-engaged to the beauty of true relationship!
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Together forever. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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In the card game of life, many don’t (unfortunately) have their share of hearts. Play the hand of compassion in spades!
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[This somewhat heart-shaped organism is a Cup Fungus; note the little slug enjoying the damp environment within.]
Someone shot a slug into my heart! Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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If you are into narcissism, please realize that you are not separate from the world or from all life.
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Metamorphosis 3. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
Metamorphosis 4. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Depending on recreational drugs means one left one’s inner integrity and happiness for others’ merchandise; doing so leaves one fragmented, twisted, and distorted (and not in the “good” way). I just read about how Montana’s drug problem is skyrocketing out of control… causing devastating results for the state and acting to ruin the economy in many areas. Needless to say, this is also occurring all across the U.S. Life can be extremely tough for most everyone in this day and age, and drugs are an escape. It takes great courage not to escape; it also takes intelligence. Recreational drugs distort the mind… and a mind that is distorted easily makes excuses, easily allows itself to fall into deeper and deeper distortion. Prescription drugs are being abused more and more; and, of course, it’s even easier to rationalize the over-usage of those. In some states, marijuana is being issued as a prescription drug; no doubt many are using it who have no substantial ailment. In India, there are people who take hashish frequently — which contains THC, just like pot does here — and when they die, autopsies reveal that their brains are shrunken, just like with the brains of alcoholics.
Multitudes are addicted to many things which become their drugs… junk foods, cigarettes, alcohol, video games, etc. It’s so easy to depend on crutches, on habits… and on things that others sell to us, saying that it will alter our minds to be “happier.” However, the mind can only be lastingly happy, joyous, and blissful without habitually depending on drugs and substances that allegedly “make” you happy (temporarily); temporary (and distorted) is always a fragmentary, darkly limited thing. Lasting joy must come from within, wherein one is a light to oneself. Beyond dependency, that light is not of distortion.
Excerpts from the unrightfully rejected ancient Gospel of Thomas, which also occur in my “Eternal Fountain of Youth” book (with permission from the Biblical scholar-translators):
Jesus said: “Show me the stone that the builders rejected: That is the cornerstone.”
Jesus said: … “I found all of them all drunk; I found none of them thirsty. And my soul became afflicted for the sons of men, because they are blind in their hearts and do not have sight; for empty they came into the world, and empty too they seek to leave the world. But for the moment they are intoxicated. When they shake off their wine, then they will repent.”
“If one is (whole), one will be filled with light, but if one is divided, one will be filled with darkness.”
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Distorted and fragmented — but in a good, (whole), artistic way. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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If one can wisely, without method, without taking time, go beyond mere fragmentary words and symbols into a realm of pure silence, beyond separation, then one may be free, joyous, whole, and beyond conditioning.
.
Like a tree monkey! Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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When sensation occurs, the mind reacts according to memory and usually categorizes or “maps” that particular sensation. It is all well and good to do that… but just don’t do it habitually, as most people, unfortunately, do. One can often just be intensely aware — without merely categorizing and labeling (and looking through and from those labels) — so that the mind is not dependent on a mere process of reacting. Merely reacting sets up the mind to be rather mechanical and robotic… and that tends to create a mental environment wherein it is much easier to get bored, get depressed, seek more, or feel in a rut. Profound insight is a living phenomenon beyond the extension of sensation via categorizing or craving; it is something majestically beyond stale reaction. In profound insight, something new occurs to you; it comes to you, not from you; it’s not merely a re-fabricated reaction… a rehashed exercise of the brain.
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Mr. I.M. Bubble-head, Esquire — Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Truly helping others — as well as nature — is an action that may not be separate from the order and movement of the divine and spiritual. (One can’t know that one is spiritual… just like one can’t know that one is humble. However — and this probably sounds a bit “out there,” but it’s not — there is a sacred immensity that can visit for a time; should that occur, one would be far beyond the ordinary field of “belief” or “not believing.”) Many people — especially atheists — maintain the conceptual belief that there is no God… and point out that no real evidence exists that God manifests or is beneficent and helps those on this planet. Then there are many who worship God; unfortunately, for many of them, God is a series of mental images and absorbed beliefs… which usually are limited symbols and concepts separate from the whole of life. Beyond all this, real perception is action (beyond conclusions)… wherein the perceiving and the action are one.
Of course, when action is done to truly help others (and all life) — which may be a spiritual thing — that doesn’t mean that one becomes the actual sacred immensity. As was suggested, God, or the conceptual belief that there is no God, for many, is largely merely a concept or series of concepts. Go beyond concepts and actually inquire without pre-molded patterns from others. Passionately inquiring, and (additionally) helping others, and life, may not be a mere concept; it may be an alive, majestic order beyond the cold ordinary. Perception that is limited and incomplete does not act fully/flowingly… it reacts; reactions from (and “as”) what is limited often divide people via rigid beliefs or anti-beliefs. Indifference is a lack of perception. Real perception acts. Care, compassion, and responsibility are at its very heart.
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Beyond fragmentation. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Lucid, profound perception often sees directly without mere learned and accumulated patterns. In such perception, there is no conception of an “observer” separate from (or independently doing) the “observing”; there is only the observing. If observation occurs exclusively based on past reactions, past memories, past prejudices, and past images involving separation — as it does in so many — then one is looking as an “observer” and primarily with (and “as”) accumulated patterns. Primitive notions that there is an observer that is separate are part of the old, traditional, learned, and accumulated patterns and are a waste of energy… and (directly or indirectly) involve friction, indifference, and conflict.
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Seeing deeply… Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Be suspect of those telling you to be detached or to stay in firm belief/attachment. There’s only pristine, dynamic awareness… and not psychological separation (or subjugating oneself with second-hand ideas/images).
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[Eastern Amberwing Dragonflies, while perched, often flick their abdomen up and down in a wasplike manner. Females lay their eggs in jellylike masses just above the waterline; when exposed to water, these masses burst open and the eggs disperse over a large area.]
Jewel of the pond. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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Most are locked in (and “as”) the small details of life without a passionate inquiry into the essence of the whole… (which, unfortunately — for human beings — is partial, fragmentary, limited, and not real life at all).
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[Part of a huge Oak Tree]
Satisfied with merely crumbs. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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No matter how free they may think they are, all thoughts — as Albert Einstein also sagaciously pointed out — are conditioned reactions… and to go beyond conditioning is to intelligently go beyond thoughts/symbols/reactions. However, the thoughts of the brain — including the conditioned thoughts of “I” or “me” — cannot merely decide to do this whenever and however they like. Whatever is conditioned cannot (in any way, shape, method, or form) fabricate or bring about the true state of the unconditioned. Fully understanding this is deep intelligence; and in that intelligence (if one is lucky) there may be, at times, an ending — though not, of course, a permanent ending — of thought/thinking. If that ending comes about naturally, without any compulsion or methodology (which thought fabricates), then a profound silence may occur. (A fabricated silence is something which is completely different and is just another limited concoction of the brain.) In a truly profound silence is immense order and intelligence (beyond mere symbols, ideas, mental fabrications, and representations); in that silence is freedom, integrity, and wholeness; in that silence (if one is very fortunate) a profound, immeasurable, majestic, unnameable immensity may arrive. (However, much more than even unconditioned silence is involved for that immensity to present itself.) Profound silence is not conditioned, nor is it capable of being permanently held, manipulated, or retained by what is conditioned. Such silence is beyond the realm of conditioning and mundane reaction.
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[A Silver-spotted Skipper Butterfly visiting a Red Clover.]
What a dining spot! Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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A truly aware and mindful human being often exists beyond petty details and, concomitantly, doesn’t need to depend on stimulus after stimulus to be attentive and content. Though experience is often necessary, a deeply aware mind can sagaciously exist in (or, rather, “as”) a timeless domain beyond mundane experience (beyond the continuum of mere cause/effect relationships); or, though this may seem rather odd, it sometimes functions where experience is a minimal phenomenon that is sometimes secondary or “in the background.” If one is merely immersed in (and responding “as”) experience, one is merely part of cause and effect events (that are always partial, always conditioned). A fluid mind that is not merely dependent on causal phenomena may be whole (and not merely dependent on what is fragmentary, conditioned, and partial). Then, when such a mind is experiencing (which is often very necessary)… it does so with great sensitivity and care. Its experiencing then involves a wholeness; experiencing involved with that wholeness has sensitivity which loves nature, the rivers, the people, and the land. Then there isn’t a fragmentary, separate set of experiences that are only out for themselves.
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[Walking on clouds.]
Angelic stroll. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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When you look at beautiful roses and sing and smile… most assuredly, the flowers are happily singing and smiling!
(Without the observed, what is the observer?)
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from E. E. Cummings:
somewhere i have never traveled, gladly beyond
any experience,your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near
your slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose
or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;
nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility:whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing
(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands
Eternal perfection. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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We’re not something isolated from our actions/reactions; we are those actions/reactions.
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In flight and landed. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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True and lasting felicity, as intense happiness, is an inner phenomenon; it is not merely the result of outer stimuli.
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[Leaves of the Ginkgo Tree. Ginkgo Trees were around during the time of the dinosaurs.]
Ancient and alive… kind of like me! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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One can intelligently question with a mind that observes with childlike wonderment. One can care lovingly like a heart with a passionate harmony.
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[Two Turtles at the Shedd Aquarium.]
Two Turtle Doves (or, rather, dives). Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
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The painter is the painted. The cleaner is the cleaned. The climber is the climbed. The thinker is the thought.
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Elegant Lady. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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It may be that merely looking at life through (and “as”) a screen of symbols – as most do – isn’t really looking at life at all.
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Plants can be blue… humans needn’t be. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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Go beyond merely having ideals of what you want to be or “should be.” Such ideals often create inner conflict and friction within (and “as”) the mind and are usually a waste of energy. Look at your actions — without separation — from moment to moment without images of desire or idealism. This doesn’t mean that one just goes on to live in a crazy, disorderly way; it does mean that perhaps attention is looking without “learned patterns,”… and, instead, with a natural, field of order that is beyond conflict, beyond the mind’s (or others’) imposed fabrications. Profound understanding and keen (uncontaminated) “observing” changes things… not stale, concocted ideals.
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As a caterpillar, I didn’t desire this. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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If the mind renews itself each and every moment… there is no boring job of drudgery.
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[Ladybugs are largely carnivorous and eat little insects called Aphids. In this photograph, the captured Aphid is ejecting (i.e., offering) some honeydew, but to no avail. Ants herd Aphids — and protect them like cows – to get honeydew from them (like getting milk from protected cows); but this Ladybug is not just interested in the honeydew; it wants steak for dinner. (There were no protective ants within or around this particular Aphid colony.)]
It likes it medium rare. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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To look through the screen of learned, old patterns (that they instilled) is to gaze at them (i.e., at their mental images and labels)… not at the fresh, alive actuality.
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Whatever… Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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Let the mind be malleable and adaptable; flow with changes with poise and adroit movement.
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[This is a local river area in fall.]
River Flow (1) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
River Flow (2) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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Give a flower to a rainy day and watch the sun begin shining happily. That rainy day is not separate from what many people are.
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[A Hover Fly enjoying some nectar adjacent to a mosquito that had a massive heart attack. (The mosquito probably sucked someone’s blood who had a lot of bad LDL cholesterol!)]
Going for meat increases your level of bad cholesterol. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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Friction and conflict — in the mind — begins with thinking the “me” as separate from (and in control of) the “other” thoughts.
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[Black Ants on a very large Oak Tree.]
Busy as bees… Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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No one – not anybody – can accurately define what true awareness is… because true awareness is too dynamic to merely be put into words and categorized.
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[Local natural rock-work formation. (There is, by the way, something man-made in this photo. Can you see it?)]
Natural beauty! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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If you’re like me, you don’t let your good looks go to your head.
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Mantis of the year! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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A mind that is often aware without needing things or thoughts to “be aware of”… is a supremely free, non-dependent, unique, and rather majestic mind.
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[Dragonfly in flight…]
Free and uncluttered…. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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A mind that does not depend on images throughout the day (to be aware) can sleep without crass and crude dreams occurring whatsoever.
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[Leaf-footed Bug with its footing on a leaf. In these, the first three antenna segments are red or reddish brown; the forth is contrastingly yellow-orange or nearly white.]
Leaf-footed Bug exploring. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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Going far beyond depression – rarely, if ever, letting it flower – is an essential function of a stable, healthy, compassionate mind.
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Together in nature. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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In most minds, the thought of “I” or “me” is the most exalted, elevated and high-ranking; but it is just another thought; real wisdom happily exists beyond such projections.
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[Black Turpentine Beetles eat the inner, lower bark of pine trees.]
Tree eater! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
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Poise is the elegance and sound balance that a truly aware and, hence, compassionate mind has… without following blueprints.
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[A Blue Bottle Fly and a Lady Bug. Blue Bottle Flies are most active during spring and fall. Lady Bugs are active spring through fall.]
A lady and her bottle. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 