I visited the garden yesterday and one particular plant caught my attention. It looks ugly and horrible, as if it was afflicted by pest and sickly. Then the signage below caught my attention.

The plant adopt an ugly and sickly appearance to deter herbevorous animals from eating it!

That reminded me of a Buddhist poem entitled (醒世歌）or song to wake the world. Within this poem is a verse that says. 麝因香重身先死，蚕为丝多命早 which means The musk deer, for its prized scent, is first slain; The silkworm, for its silk, has its life cut short.

This Buddhist poem encourages us to at the worldly goal and competition with a new perspective. Since life is fleeting and ends with death, are you sure you want to spend your limited existing pursuing dream-like achievements.

In our world today, everyone is fighting to be noticed and recognised. But if we take a look at nature, perhaps being incognito can help us experience a lengthier and more fulfilling life.

Do we really have to win every race and attain every goal to say our life is well lived?

And guess what?

Even the state of meditation Jhana/Samadhi begins with letting go. So perhaps what this society teaches us, may not be entirely wise.

May all be well and happy.