Tradition has seemed to keep us safe up to a certain point. Many of us cling to tradition in one form or another; most cling to many forms of tradition. Many of us have our own special religions, nations, customs, leaders, priests, gurus, and methodologies… and to these, we ardently cling. It has seemed to give us comfort and security by doing so. With traditions, you don’t have to think much; tradition will have done that for you. Most people really like that; it is far easier to let others do the thinking for you. These others, however, have done the very same thing… (absorbing old habits from those whom they’ve similarly copied). What we’ve inherited may be — unless we prefer to stick our heads in the sand as so many do — a lot of primitive nonsense that tends to separate and divide people globally. (Where is the real security in that?!) Each one thinks that his (or her) traditions, systems, ways, and areas are so very special and so much better (than that of the “others”). We do this and end up with conflict, divisiveness, and wars. Again, where is the real security in that? We become so comfortable that we allow the bureaucrats to continue polluting the world with fossil fuels, pollute our bodies with junk foods, and our minds with hate, fear, and antiquated ideas… while we don’t peacefully request change and don’t partake in significant alternative action that is beyond conflict and mere reaction. Profound enlightenment never occurs to the mediocre mind that remains in the rut that indoctrinated others have dug.
Besides these outer traditions, we cling to (and “are”) inner traditions. When inner, crude, primitive traditions are warped, distorted, unbalanced, awry, common, and fractional… they reflect this disarray into the world. Then we overpopulate it, abuse it, and mindlessly contribute to conflict while this fragile world and the beautiful animals upon it suffer the consequences. We can do better. However, the old ways are deeply ingrained in us (and “as us”), and the time for change is long overdue. On a brighter note: We — some of us, at least — can change, blossom, and transcend all of the mediocrity.
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[Note: The nights have been getting cold, and this young Bullsnake came through the front door into our house. I took it near the river bank on the property and released it in an area with a lot of fallen leaves (where it could dig into to find needed warmth). However, before releasing it, a few pictures (of course) had to be taken. (The second photo is with me holding the snake in one hand and taking a photo of it with the other hand.) Steven Irwin, whom i miss dearly (since he passed away), was a superb naturalist who often (on his excellent television nature series) would reveal his deep love of nature. He often shared the same sentiments that i have concerning snakes: They are beautiful and spectacular creatures if one looks at them without prejudice and old-fashioned beliefs. Steve’s premature passing was a loss to nature; he was a true champion of nature. Bullsnakes may look a little bit like Rattlesnakes, but they are non-poisonous and they do not have a rattle at their tail end. Many people thoughtlessly kill them when they see them, which is a real shame. All you have to do is grab one a little way up from the tip of the tail and take it to where you would like it to be released. They are beautiful creatures that eat mice, rats, voles, and other pests, and they are totally harmless to man. We’re so glad that our little friend stopped by!]
Bullsnake. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016
Holding a Bullsnake. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2016
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