Page 1 - September 2025

From Bud to Bloom to – the Beyond

jacaranda in bloom evokes a variety of responses. A
A photographer assesses the light and colour. A botanist
observes symmetry, pollination, and petal design. However, a
Mission member may recall Pujya Gurudev’s words: “Growth is
effective and enduring, beautiful and enchanting, only when it
takes place at its own leisurely stride and natural rhythm…
No hurry. Let it happen in His gracious pace.” 1

Each phase of the jacaranda’s blossoming holds a lesson.
The bud does not bloom by force. The flower does not cling to its
fragrance. The tree does not mourn the fall of petals. Moreover,
the tree offers beauty unconditionally. It does not ask, “Who will
see me?” or “Will I be appreciated?” It simply fulfils its dharma.
In doing so, it depicts the ideal of selfless service.
Our lives, too, have seasons of outer and inner blossoming.
The outer — a flourishing career, success, recognition — is easily
discernible. Inner, spiritual blossoming is not sudden. Nature
does not rush the unfolding of a bud. Spiritual blossoming
requires the water of devotion, the sunlight of knowledge, and the
fertile ground of faith, effort, and patience.
Pujya Gurudev guides us further: “A bud abandons itself to
become a flower, the flower gives up its petals and its enchanting
fragrance and gains for itself a richer status of a fruit.” This is
2
the nobility of surrender. Each letting go is a rising — from one
state to another, fuller one — free of the burden to impress, free
of all limitations, free… and in tune with our Divine nature.
So, let the jacaranda teach us: bloom when it’s time. Fall, if
needed. And in all stages, let His rhythm guide our
unfolding — from bud to bloom to the beyond.
1 Journey of a Master Swami Chinmayananda, Nancy Freeman Editorial
Patchen, Chapter 23. Sandeepany Sadhanalaya.
2 The Holy Geeta, Swami Chinmayananda, commentary on Chapter
18, verse 8.

Tapovan Prasad 7 September 2025