I think the Buddha was looking at a peony when he spoke those famous words. Of all the gorgeous flowers our Earth has to offer, rarely does one present so many luscious, ruffled petals. Each peony bloom seems to have a hundred delicate layers of tissue-thin petals. And tucked in between the layers of petals are bright yellow stamens, just waiting to be discovered by pollen seeking creatures.
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| Peonies combined with lady's mantle make a lovely bouquet |
The peony is a master of garden distraction...but in a good way. It's so easy to walk by all kinds of beauty as we are engaged with our thoughts, our worries, our busy lives. But the peony begs closer inspection.
The peony's soft fragrance quite literally entices you to 'stop and smell the flowers'. And as you do, your eye notices the movements of bees and ants, who hover close to each huge bloom. Soon you see the nuances of individual petals, and begin to wonder what lays at the heart of the blossom. Before you know it, all of your senses are engaged with the peony.
An entire delightful world; a small miracle.
