Weeds
I was finally able to get over to the zen center to meditate this morning and it was like a breath of fresh air. Literally. My new favorite saying to Tin when he is upset is, “Take a deep breath, and count to zen.” This morning, getting ready to go, I was in the backyard watering some of the plants and was thinking about the weeds. Along the fence between my neighbor and my yard are weeds growing – some sort of vinca flowering plant, along with a small daisy-ish looking plant – and along the back retaining wall is cat’s claw spilling over the concrete thick and clingy. I thought about them all as I was watering the flowers in the pot and decided to let them be.
I had told Joe to remove the cat’s claw and to weed eat the “weeds” and now I just said to heck with it.
Weeds are growing and I’m letting them be.
When I arrived at the zen center, I walked in and kneeled down to meditate and the first zazen began. Then a half hour later, we stood for the walking meditation, and as I rounded the front of the room where the buddha was, where the incense is, I noticed a small vase holding a nosegay of the blue vinca like weeds that have taken over one side of my yard. They had been elevated to an altar. Ordinary weeds.
I came home and cut a nosegay and put a few on one of my altars – here you go weeds, make yourself at home.
September 8th, 2013 at 9:45 pm
Love this post.
I often pick bouquets of weeds. They are beautiful; they contain medicinal properties; they grow without our attention, for us to use and enjoy. Yes – they belong on the altar. 🙂
September 10th, 2013 at 8:34 pm
Thanks Marilyn – I find the nosegays of wildflowers ethereal and wonderful myself. There is a field near the post office that when they don’t mow it brings out the wild black eyed susans – I’m grateful to live in New Orleans where wildness seems to take hold even in very urban places.