In the most auspicious of circumstances, we have found ourselves living in a paradise garden for the last five weeks. “Gardens of Paradise take their name from the old Persian pairi dez , meaning “surrounded by a wall”. Transliterated into the Greek as paradeisos and henceforth known to us as Gardens of Paradise , they are in essence self-contained refuges for flora and fauna, with humans as their keepers and end users” (AKDN). Walled in by bamboo we are indeed separated from the bustling complexity of this Los Angeles world yet are connected to earth, water, fire and air in this sacred place, filled with morning light, afternoon sunshine, and a whole changing sky above. Here, in this garden, one finds paradise.

From the top perch, one can survey the hummingbirds darting amongst the bamboo, swooping to find nectar in the Barbie-pink hibiscus and lemon tree blossoms. Without a doubt morning tea tastes better in this sanctuary, despite the laments of the mourning dove or the sharp argument between tiny birds, only happiness seeps through the marine layer filtering the sun for a few hours as we linger below.

All month I have patiently waited for the plumeria blooms, and as luck would have it, this week they have begun to open. Know as the ‘scent of Hawaii’ they are considered a symbol of love. How apropos they too grow in this backyard paradise, right?

Objects take on all sorts of meaning when placed outside. Watching the light slant or drift across changes their very meaning, as does the irreverence of the brazen squirrel who uses what they will. Here is the place to observe, to lose yourself, to find it too.

Each striving plant reminds me of the impermanence and striving that is this life.

Each pot holding an array of mystery along with the familiar. Something unexpected blown into the mix, taking root, reaching for its own reasons.

Paradise allows for creativity to blossom too if one is ready to say yes to all that.

The garden enters our inside space with the simple gesture of opening the doors. There is a perpetual invitation to leave the earthly behind, to move within the air, like the mosaic butterflies who flutter just above our reach, dancers in the wind.

Here one must remember the poets.

A Garden Beyond Paradise by Rumi

Everything you see has its roots
in the unseen world.
The forms may change,
yet the essence remains the same.

Every wondrous sight will vanish,
every sweet word will fade.
But do not be disheartened,
The Source they come from is eternal–
growing, branching out,
giving new life and new joy.

Why do you weep?–
That Source is within you,
and this whole world
is springing up from it.

The Source is full,
its waters are ever-flowing;
Do not grieve,
drink your fill!
Don’t think it will ever run dry–
This is the endless Ocean!

From the moment you came into this world,
a ladder was placed in front of you
that you might transcend it.

From earth, you became plant,
from plant you became animal.
Afterwards you became a human being,
endowed with knowledge, intellect and faith.

Behold the body, born of dust–
how perfect it has become!

Why should you fear its end?
When were you ever made less by dying?

When you pass beyond this human form,
no doubt you will become an angel
and soar through the heavens!

But don’t stop there.
Even heavenly bodies grow old.

Pass again from the heavenly realm
and plunge into the ocean of Consciousness.
Let the drop of water that is you
become a hundred mighty seas.

But do not think that the drop alone
becomes the Ocean–
the Ocean, too, becomes the drop!

 

Shout out to @t8dono for the gift of his home & garden xxoo