Drifting and planting seeds

Resting in the shade…

Escaping the heat of the day.

Each in their private meditation.

Lost in thoughts…

Drifting…

The Siesta, 1892-94, Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) oil on canvas, 35 x 45.7, MET, New York

We’re living in topsy-turvy times, and I think that what causes the topsy-turvy feelings is inadequacy of old forms of thought to deal with new experiences…you have to stop and drift laterally for a while until you come across something that allows you to expand the root of what you already know.

~ Robert Pirsig: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

In my private meditations, I often think about the many blessings I can see that have come from God. I like to take pleasure in noticing how they are arranged in my life like a beautiful bouquet.

Each flower represents a person or interest I might be tending in some way.

I hope that the sum total of all these beautiful blessings are harmonized together to create a beautiful fragrance before God.

I encourage you to plant the seeds of your bouquet. Seeds of kindness, goodness, encouragement, forgiveness, mercy, sacrifice, service and love. Plant these seeds, water them, rest awhile even drift…sit back and watch God provide the growth. (see Mark 4: 26-34)

Bouquet of Flowers, 1896, oil on canvas, 25.1 x 29.1 inches, National Gallery of Art, London

Now if you will, listen to Hanacpachap Cussicuinin. This song is hauntingly beautiful. You can find many versions of it on Youtube but I was most inspired by this version. Here is the translation of the Quechua language:

Bliss of Heaven

A thousand times I adore you.

Tree of uncountable fruits

Hope of the peoples

Pillar of the weak

Listen to my prayer…