Beautiful Amnesia

I discovered an amazing florist over the weekend - they are called the “Flower Temple“. Now, I’m not generally known for my affiliations to nature and all that is green but of late, there has been a sort of an awakening. I have been noticing flowers a lot more. I’ve also been photographing flowers a lot more. I’m not sure whether this new affliction has more to do with the recently purchased macro lens for my camera, or whether is coincides with my current almost scientific quest for spirituality. In an almost weird way, I’m starting to notice how science and the spirit have been converging and might even be one and the same. On that note, I am probably starting to sound quite off the radar here so I’ll move back to the topic of flowers.

The Flower Temple was not your typical floral boutique with roses and tulips (though they did have some of those). There were exotic species of strange plants and flowers of colourful and mysterious brilliance in there that one does not usually come across at a florist. The place itself was pleasantly serene - tranquil music and the sound of running water soothed in the background. And importantly unlike most shops, there was space to be.

I was having a most relaxing experience browsing in the store surrounded by the sweet scent of flowers and was perfectly happy marveling at the different varieties of floral matter. Then, I came across the phalaenopsis orchid and fell in love. You know how it is when you simply can’t take your eyes off someone, even if it’s in a crowded room full of other someones? That’s how it was for me and the phalaenopsis orchid. The flower itself was a sight of such delicate perfection. It’s petals were bright white and covered with the tiniest sheen of glitter, as if to say “look at me, look at how alive I am”. Right in the centre of the flower I made out a being so complete in itself that it was beyond beautiful. So much so it took my breath away. I couldn’t keep my eyes off that flower and was amazed at how it exuded an overwhelming presence that is quiet and unassuming - when I looked closer, I could see a meditative form awakening in a glory of subtle colours surrounded by the pure white of nothingness.

As insane as it may sound, it was the first time I’d ever felt so connected to a plant. I will now be watching carefully as the other buds begin to blossom in my home.