If, seeing the word blackberries, you are expecting an essay about so called smart phones, you are about to be disappointed. For I am going to write some words about the fruit, a better invention by far than any smart phone.
This morning, walking along the towpath by the side of a canal, I spotted some ripe looking blackberries. I popped one in my mouth. Ah! the ecstasy, as my taste buds exploded with joy at the sweetness, the utter blackberry-ness of the blackberry. How amazing, that sunshine, together with a few other ingredients, had been converted into this delightful experience!
The blackberry reminded me of a little incident that happened many years ago, around the time of the start of my spiritual exploration. I was attending a two day personal growth workshop and in the evening, at the end of the first day, I wandered along a cliff top path, looking for a place to sleep for the night. I was struggling with things. (It is getting difficult for me to remember how much of a struggle life used to be!) My mind was busy with all my woes. And then I spotted a blackberry. Just one. A solitary fruit. Inviting.
The invitation was irresistible and the blackberry landed on my tongue. Immediately, the taste cut right through my thoughts. For a few moments I was present. A natural meditation happened, spontaneously.
Our troubles are only troubles because we give them energy.
Instead of wallowing in our difficulties, we need merely take a little stroll and pop a blackberry in the mouth. The gifts of existence abound.
