Hold Up The Flower

This week's post begins an aspiration to write a regular mindfulness topic highlighting Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community's time together Wednesday mornings. Hopefully these regular articles will extend the joy and inspiration we feel when we're in community and further nourish our practice.

This week, February 8, LTMC had a wonderful morning sit with a deluge of rain as our companion as it struck the skylights of the Lotus Room. The rains inspired the remembering of a favorite story about the Buddha. Over a thousand people had gathered to hear the Buddha speak but without saying a word, he simply held up a flower. Many minutes went by as the gathered crowd attempted to figure out his gesture and waited for him to speak. Buddha continued to silently hold up the flower, then suddenly, he smiled because a monk in the crowd, Mahakashyapa, had smiled to him and the flower. Buddha announced, "I have a treasure of insight, and I have transmitted it to Mahakashyapa." The monk and the Buddha experienced true happiness, enjoying the flower and each other. That remains a popular story in Zen circles and many meanings have been attributed to the teaching of the flower. Thich Nhat Hanh provides a beautiful translation here. LTMC discussed the possibility that perhaps mindfulness is truly as simple as enjoying the beauty of a flower or the pouring rain. If someone offers you a flower but you aren't present, you miss the flower, what a pity. Another thing discussed was our ability to simply be a beautiful flower in the midst of a questioning and suffering world. LTMC then pondered the lesson of the flower when managing a difficult person, perhaps someone who seems to find themselves in the same habitual patterns. Our impetus to try to fix another person's dilemma is so strong. Maybe we don't have to "do" anything, perhaps we need not convince, enlighten, or give advice. What if we sat peacefully, followed our breathing and simply held up the beautiful flower?

A LTMC community member then shared a beautiful tradition among African peoples--when someone has offended the community or is out of line, the tribe calls a meeting with that person, surrounds him or her and sings to the wrong-doer, reminding the person of their goodness--they hold up the flower.

We are beautiful creations, of this LTMC is sure--goodness, peace and well-being grace the many petals of our creation. If you ever need reminded, come visit us on Wednesday mornings, 7:30a, upstairs in the Lotus Room. LTMC hopes you have a wonderful practice week holding up the flower....

"May all being be happy,
may we be healthy and strong,
safe and protected,
free from inner and outer harm,
may we live in the world with ease and grace." *

* LTMC dedication, inspired by the Metta Sutra and written by Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com