Contemplative Monday

The following is from 'The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh' (click)

published by 'Shambhala Pocket Classics'

'CHILDREN OF THE EARTH'

"We humans think we are intelligent, but an orchid, for example,

knows how to produce symmetrical flowers;

a snail knows how to make a beautiful, well-proportioned shell.

Compared with their knowledge, ours is not worth much at all.

We should bow deeply before the orchid and the snail

and join our palms reverently before the butterfly

and the magnolia tree.

The feeling of respect for all species will help us to recognize and 

cultivate the noblest nature in ourselves."

Close-up of the Star Magnolia in our garden last summer.

I see what Thich Nhat Hanh was getting at.