Though flowers may lack the capability of the mind to converse, they speak a language perhaps even more beautiful and profound, a communication through the beauty of colour, form and fragrance, encouraging us by the example of their lives, to always aspire and grow towards the light.
I remember Parichand, the Ashram gardener, my friend who inspired and uplifted me simply by being in his presence, in charge of the Ashram courtyard and many gardens of the Ashram, telling me how Mother kept encouraging him to grow roses. Each year they would all die, unable to withstand the climate. The next year he would purchase more rose bushes and again, after some months they would perish, Mother told him to continue until a time would come when the plants would receive in their consciousness the knowledge that they could survive.
Recalling this in the very early days of Auroville when we faced enormous difficulties, with insect attacks, goats entering and eating the new plants, lack of water and often electricity, each time I introduced a new plant species I would pray to Mother to help it survive. Then I would tell the plant, "If I can make it here, then you can too!"
Narad (Richard Eggenberger)
Copyright 2016