A moment of solace

IN THIS PHOTOGRAPH, the ancient roots of a strangler fig--aptly known as Ficus religiosa--envelop a stone head of a decapitated Buddha. It's a relationship that extends back to 1767, when an invading Burmese army destroyed the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya. Nothing was spared, including this and other statues at the principal temple of Wat Mahathat, and the city was abandoned.

Gradually, the graceful symbiosis seen here occurred. But which is the true spiritual icon, the figure or the fig?

In desolate or chaotic situations, nature finds a way to thrive, and to accommodate the human element as well. It's a favor we too seldom return, and yet there is no act and no resource more capable of transforming the human spirit.

One young girl, whose brief life was framed by restriction and cruelty, realized the power and longevity of the earth's bounty. "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God," wrote Anne Frank. "Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

"As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles."

COPYRIGHT 2005 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group