The beautiful images of the orchids and flowers are taken from my garden and serves as a constant reminder of the perfection and imperfection of nature. They express the philosophy I try and incorporate in my life and my work.
My mother and I have always loved gardening and flowers, and orchids is one of our favourite flowers. My mother was a natural gardener, the original organic gardener, using rice water as a fertiliser.
According to the Buddha, flowers symbolise the cycle of life and death — the young bud matures into a beautiful blossom, then fades away quietly, returning to the earth to nurture new life.
Beyond their stunning beauty, orchids teach us important lessons about life and living:
• that change (impermanence) is inevitable, and in the nature of things
• that everything and everyone are inter-connected and deserving of equal respect and consideration
• that practicing gratitude for each present moment as it unfolds is the foundation for joy and happiness
• that if we can see clearly the beauty of a single flower, a single element, a single person, our attitude would be one of kindness and compassion.
