RETREAT REFLECTIONS

The Tangerine Buddha

I inhaled the floral, citrus scent, and felt its cool, dappled skin against my nose and lips. The sound of the skin pulling away from the fruit filled my ears. The white interior of the peel formed a feathery mesh as it lifted from the fruit, reminding me of the texture of yeast bread.

I ate the fruit slowly, section by section. I observed the experience of the fruit on my tongue, the changing taste and texture as I chewed it.

I reflected on the causes and conditions that brought it to me. The hand that passed it to me, the trip to the store to purchase the fruit, the gardeners who tended the tree, the sun, rain and wind that nurtured its growth, the circumstances that germinated the original seed ... I appreciated that it was now inside my body - a part of me. What was once so carefully nourished was now nourishing me.

These thoughts were soon replaced with the recognition that the original tangerine form was completely gone. Just one moment ago it had this tremendous physical presence; indeed, all of my senses fully experienced this fruit. Now it was changed. Still, I experienced no sense of loss. Instead, I recognized my role in creating this change, and I relished every aspect of those moments of change. I felt tremendous gratitude for the entire experience.