Sunflowers bloom into beautiful and
bright flowers as the first ray of sunlight falls on their closed bud. Bright,
cheerful and soothing, they instantly give pleasure to the eyes that see this
wonder. Humans are just like flowers. Sometimes
we choose to live our lives closed up in the little shell of the self. We lock
ourselves in a world of our own and ignore the ‘knocks knocks’ that come by on
the door to our hearts every now and then. We think that shutting out the world
from us means putting an end to all the problems and worries that come as part
of being in it. Yet they continue to haunt, even more perhaps. Can there be any
joy in this kind of lonely existence?
President Ikeda, a prolific peace
activist says “There is no true joy in a life lived closed up in the little
shell of the self. When you take one step to reach out to people, when you meet
with others and share their thoughts and sufferings, infinite compassion and
wisdom well up within your heart. Your life is transformed.”
Have you experienced this
transformation in your life? My own experience allows me to substantiate president
Ikeda’s viewpoint. From a closed bud I have flowered into a happier, confident
and joyful person. The reason for this? - My circle of friends has grown dramatically
in the last few years. I have begun to enjoy human interaction, something I shied
away from for a good part of my life. This has led to my individual growth as
well.
I have learnt that it is only through
our interaction with others that we can bloom to our fullest potential. Like
flowers, we derive nourishment for the soul, heart, mind and body from all that
is around us and fellow humans are an integral part of it. Just as the spring
sunshine warms the frozen earth back to life, so vibrant dialogue fills
people’s lives with fresh energy and nurtures the flowering of human potential.
No matter what position or where we belong. The human heart desires soulful
conversation to keep it alive. Keep the door to your heart open and allow
people to walk in and help you discover things about yourself. And give to
others the same joy. It is only through this two way exchange that we will be
able to work towards the flowering of all of humanity.
