Laying down, I observe the tree branches sway back and forth as the afternoon breeze rolls in. The leaves change to different tones of green, from dark to bright lime, and I am mesmerized by this moment. Simple beauty constantly around to embrace. My backyard a candy land for my eyes, should they take the time to see it as so.
I reach for a fallen leaf and put it up to the sun. After a long stare, the fine veins branching out of the main veins begin to appear. A maze. The maze of life appears on this leaf, if I take the time to see it. I see the tree in the leaf, drawn in detail within the veins. I see rows of trees drawn in expanding perspective. To multiply, to expand and grow. To live. It's all there, when the mind is quiet enough to see it.
I grab a sketch pad and begin to draw this detailed maze I see. Taking the time to draw every tiny vein quickly becomes a rigorous endeavor. The mind insists on taking short cuts, on filling in, rather than drawing what is really there. I am forced to stop many times to keep my mind in check, to make sure I am consciously choosing the the leaf I see, rather than the leaf mind insists on drawing.
A mirror to life after realization. When a conscious choice has been made to see truth, mind may not agree. Mind is geared to create short cuts, fill in gaps rather than leave them unknown and allow all to slowly unfold and appear. The constant reminder, the mantra, is to see beyond mind, to see beyond personal interest, and to find that place where simple sight can be enjoyed, if but for a moment.
