Sakura Matsuri 2009 (The Rite of Spring)

With the Sakura Matsuri starting tomorrow at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens I am reminded of the simplicity in nature. Trees specifically have always made me feel connected to mother nature and so whenever I cross the path of one I feel the need to run my hands across its bark. I can't really describe the emotion that evokes form my being when I am in contact with a tree but I ultimately believe it has something to do with my roots. Some people have spirit animals so maybe I have a spirit tree lol. Nonetheless their beauty should be respected.

One day as I was walking to the train I was taken aback by a cherry blossom tree whose petals were gracefully falling. For at least five minutes I stood there in total awe as I was engulfed with its exquisiteness. It was as if time has stopped and nothing else mattered. This inspired me to get a tattoo of cherry blossoms over my left shoulder. Cherry blossoms have a very short blooming period and because of this many Japanese feel that these trees represent the transience of life. This in hand connects directly to their strong belief of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism.

Accustomed to suffering and often unattached to the transient things these teachings provide me insight whenever I'm troubled. This is not to imply that I have found some sense of Nirvana or that I am even on the path towards enlightenment because honestly I have no clue what I am doing in this world. While I embark on my journey to find purpose and passion in this life I plan to keep by my side The Four Noble Truths.

My understandings of these truths are as follows:

1. Life is suffering.
2. Suffering comes from the attachment to transient things.
3. Suffering can be ended by attaining dispassion.
4. A gradual path of self-improvement in which one frees itself from delusion ad attachment can end suffering.(The Noble Eightfold Path)

Take the time to reconnect with Mother Nature!
Cherry Blossom Festival Info

Reading Recommendations:
Siddhartha
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying