Leaf | East Wenatchee, WA | August 2019
With chlorophyll gone, this leaf’s true face emerged bright red and beautiful. It was always there, but hidden behind the green facade of photosynthesis. Buddhists refer to such a countenance as the original face, the one worn as an infant before society’s imprint. That face in adults is often veiled behind fear, pride, judgment and ambition. The sage advises peeling away those layers through acts of mindfulness and acceptance — “right now, it’s like this” — and allow our real face to smile in the moment. Not an easy task. Even the leaf quakes with the effort.
IrwinFoto 