prickly pear self portrait

     As I was hiking this morning, I saw a large prickly pear cactus that had a shape something like a person with their hands upraised above their head.  That planted a question in my mind.  "How is a person like a prickly pear cactus?"

     Well, to start with, prickly pear cacti, like people, come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.   They also have in common the long, sharp thorns that cover their surface, and the fact that they usually  bloom with beautiful flowers and delicious fruit at certain times.  And beneath their tough skins and sharp thorns is a soft flesh that can be made into such delicacies as fried cactus strips as an appetizer or vegetable, prickly pear jams, jellies, and sauces, and even prickly pear Margaritas!  These things are readily available here in Sedona and I have enjoyed them all from time to time.  

      There are certain people I have known who have long, sharp thorns.  If you aren't paying close attention and brush against them the wrong way, it can hurt!  Come to think of it,  most people, including me, have our prickly moments and times when our words, attitudes, or actions can be like long, sharp thorns.  But all of us also can and do blossom with certain good qualities, and bear the fruit of skills, knowledge, and potential which could be good for others.

And all of us have a soft, vulnerable aspect underneath the tough skin and thorns that we use to protect ourselves, just like the prickly pear cactus.  

     A wise Buddhist teacher advised that when we are up against people who we find to be difficult or painful,  we say to ourselves:

     "Here is a person who wants to be happy---just like me.

       Here is a person who wants to be safe and secure--just like me.

       Here is a person who wants what is good ( to them)---just like me.

       Here is a person who has been hurt and needs healing---just like me."

This feels, to me, like stripping off the tough skin and sharp thorns to relish the good substance underneath.   Its a good way to enjoy prickly people as well as prickly pear cactus!

Does this prickly pear cactus portrait remind you of anyone you know?