Life is a Garden
Lima, Peru
Each morning, I wake naturally before dawn to a symphony of birds, each singing the arrival of a new day. Peru boasts the second-largest diversity of bird species in the world, following Colombia. An alarm clock is no longer necessary, as this has become my natural morning ritual.
It still feels almost unfathomable to wake up to such an orchestra of sounds in an urban city. I have settled into a 50-square-meter apartment in Surquillo, a neighborhood in Lima, Peru. Lima is one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world. And yet, through some beautiful synchronicity, I have made my home in a top-floor apartment overlooking a sea of green trees and a park that stretches as far as the eye can see. It is a rare privilege, one that very few people in Lima get to enjoy.
The terrace is larger than the apartment itself. The back is completely open, mostly glass, and I keep the doors and windows open both day and night. It is currently summer in Peru, with February being the hottest month of the year. Days can be sweltering south of the Equator, but the cool evening breezes bring a calm relief. Air-conditioning is uncommon here, so you learn to adapt.
I have befriended many of the birds by leaving out bananas and other fruit each morning and evening. A couple of mockingbirds who travel together have faithfully visited every day since I arrived two months ago. Saffron finches, vermilion flycatchers, and, of course, pigeons also come by looking for food.
It is a paradox of sorts, to have found myself in such beautiful surroundings, to start each day in such a calm and peaceful way, all the while engulfed by the larger city around me of traffic, busyness and noise.
I have come to discover this as the great paradox of life, no matter where in the world we may live. There is no perfect place in the world anymore. And yet, within our own small worlds and simple daily lives, we can find the beauty, focus on it, and cultivate it into a flourishing garden that surrounds us.
A wise person recently reminded me of a truth I have always known: the world is in constant balance. Though mass media may direct our focus elsewhere, there is no need to worry. Beauty and suffering, good and evil, positive and negative—these forces exist side by side, and the world maintains her balance.
And so, it has been a remarkable discovery to find such beauty here in Lima, a place that can be challenging in many ways. I have found it in the birds that visit my terrace, in the trees that surround my simple space, growing and thriving despite the city’s chaos.
Even in one of the largest cities in the world, there is silence to be found. There is quiet in the early morning. There are some of the most beautiful people I have ever met in my life. They freely share their kindness, love, and generosity and warmly welcome me.
Now, more than ever, we must each seek out the beauty that immediately surrounds us—in the simplest of things. We must give it our attention, nurture it, and cultivate our own beautiful garden of life.
Field Notes
In a recent conversation, ChatGPT was asked about Zen Buddhism and the suffering that comes today from the endless stream of information individuals navigate in our modern civilization.
ChatGPT responded: From the perspective of Zen, Buddhism, and other non-dual perspectives, modern people can become addicted to the constant streams of information and distractions provided by modern civilization. This addiction can lead to a sense of restlessness and anxiety, preventing individuals from cultivating the stillness and awareness necessary for recognizing their true nature.
In the context of Buddhism, the term “samsara” refers to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that arises from attachment to the impermanent and illusory phenomena of the world. From this perspective, the constant stream of information and distractions provided by modern civilization can be seen as a form of samsara, as it can create attachment to the ever-changing phenomena of the world and prevent individuals from recognizing their true nature.
In addition, the input from modern civilization can generate samsara in our minds by creating attachment to particular views, opinions, and identities. This attachment can lead to suffering and delusion, as individuals become trapped in the dualities and conflicts of the world.
ChatGPT further suggests that we meditate, seek out silence, connect more closely with Nature and reduce our screen time.
Question: Can you give 10 specific changes modern people should make to break free of the streams of information and distractions provided by modern civilization?
ChatGPT: Certainly, here are ten specific changes that modern people can make to break free from the constant streams of information and distractions provided by modern civilization and cultivate a sense of detachment and awareness:
Reduce screen time: Limit the amount of time spent on cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices to minimize exposure to the constant streams of information and distractions.
Practice meditation: Cultivate a daily meditation practice to cultivate awareness and detachment from the constant stream of thoughts and emotions that arise in the mind.
Spend time in nature: Connect with the natural world to cultivate a sense of interconnectedness and harmony with the world.
Read books: Read books instead of relying solely on social media and other online sources for information.
Cultivate hobbies: Engage in activities and hobbies that require focus and attention, such as painting, playing music, or gardening.
Limit social media use: Set limits on social media use and be mindful of the potential for addiction and attachment to likes, followers, and other metrics.
Practice mindfulness: Practice mindfulness throughout the day, being present in the moment and fully engaged in whatever activity is being undertaken.
Engage in meaningful conversations: Seek out meaningful conversations with others, rather than relying solely on social media and other online sources for communication.
Seek out silence: Take breaks from the constant noise and stimulation of modern civilization to cultivate stillness and silence.
Reflect on impermanence: Reflect on the impermanence of all things, including the constant streams of information and distractions provided by modern civilization, to cultivate a sense of detachment and freedom from attachment.
Published Travel Articles
Enjoy published articles from my last five years of travel.
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Zen and Ink Journals represents hundreds of hours of writing over the past decade, sometimes from a train in remote China or a coffee shop in Kyoto, a hammock in Costa Rica or a simple cabin on a mountaintop in Boquete, Panama , Ciudad Colón or Cusco, Peru.
On these pages, I share my observations of kindness and beauty from my adventures in the world and invite you to listen quietly for the call within you to explore the places that beckon your soul.
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As always, your perspective and sharing is a wonderful peek into the life you've carved out and balancing the ups and downs of life. The photos are beautiful. Thank you for continuing to share!