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1. Introduction
Hi,
Today's story was originally a fragment of another story I wrote a number of years ago. When going back into the Seishindo archives, all of a sudden I saw this scene unfolding in front of me.
I hope you enjoy.
Charlie
2. Cultivating beauty, cultivating love
Living in Japan, I'm amazed by the bonsai displays of local people who keep their collections as a hobby. One of my favorites is a treasure trove of about one hundred chrysanthemums sitting in the yard of an older gentleman. Some of the plants stand close to five feet tall and have one massive bloom each. Other varieties are short and dense, and have been shaped to look like colorful clouds.
I had strolled by my neighbor's garden many times over the last few years and yet the elderly gardener had never once looked up from his plants, so intent was he in his work.
Out for a stroll one day I noticed the flowers looking more robust than ever. My neighbor was bent over inspecting the leaves of a large, blooming chrysanthemum, and I decided to finally strike up a conversation.
"Hello!" I called out. "Your chrysanthemums look lovely this season!"
The old man straightened up quickly, looking to see who was calling out to him. Soon we were talking as if we were old friends.
Mr. Suzuki said he was 81 years old and had been tending his flock for thirty-five years. I asked him what motivated him to take on such an ambitious project. He told me he did so shortly after his son was killed in an auto accident.
"The beauty of the flowers" he said, "Reminded me of the warmth of my son's smile. By tending the flowers I felt I was continuing to cultivate the love I felt for him."
I was deeply touched by his words, and stood there in silence not knowing what to say.
"You see" he continued after a while, "The flowers helped me appreciate that even though I was feeling very sad, there was still great beauty in the world. By recognizing and responding to that beauty I was keeping my heart open to life."
"Now I realize life has much to offer me, even though I sometimes have trouble accepting all that comes my way. My flowers have taught me it's important to balance my sorrow by cultivating what brings me joy. Had it not been for my flowers, I would have lost the sense there was beauty in the world, and life was worth living. In trimming the plants I assist life in expressing it's beauty, and I add to the beauty of my own life"
Sensing our time together was complete for today, I bowed and offered my thanks.
It occurred to me as I continued on my way, that by nurturing our relationships, we nurture ourselves. By cultivating the beauty we see in others, we also cultivate love. The beauty and love Suzuki-san had been cultivating in his flowers for so many years, was reaching out and touching the hearts of his neighbors.
3. The Seishindo Offer
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