Fleeting Beauty

from Andy Sethi, photos from Charlie

I was amazed and moved to see residents turn the courtyard into a expressed vision of art. The level of artistic talent was incredible and the willingness to share it with the rest of the community freely shows a real generosity of heart for all those who participated and appreciated the mural. I think the rain was timely actually. It reminded me of the Tibetan sand mandalas, in which several monks spend days creating complex works of art out of colored sand. As soon as the creation is finished, the entire thing is swept away as a lesson in impermanence. It elicits the question, how do we give our best effort, knowing that, in the end it will all be washed away? Recognizing impermanence and letting go of attachment to outcome doesn't mean apathy or ambivalence. I think a true expression of love means giving of oneself completely without any expectation of holding onto the results. The giving itself can be the reward.