Wind Chimes and Prayer Flags

There is something very soothing about the sound of windchimes in the wind. When everything around is quiet and when the only other sound is the rustling of leaves on the trees, the chimes become gentle companions. With every soft gust, the last remaining leaves fall from the deciduous trees. A lone blue whistling thrush hops about in a small patch where the morning sun has already begun to warm the earth before the frost returns in the evening. In this simple scene the wind moves through the chimes and creates a tender music that feels like a whispered teaching and a message of happiness.

Yesterday I visited Nainital and from a busy tourist market I brought home a new set of windchimes and some Buddhist prayer flags. Buying from such places is often more expensive yet these families must also survive and flourish. I also did not mind spending time with the shopkeeper. His parents had migrated from Tibet in their youth. He showed me many beautiful things from colourful porcelain to small metal charms most of which were far beyond what my pocket could allow. I chose only a set of chimes and a string of flags. Over a cup of tea he spoke to me about their meaning and the conversation settled into my mind like a gentle blessing and also as food for further thought.

This morning, once the blue whistling thrush had warmed itself in the sun and flown away, I went to the clearing where my old chime was hanging. It is smaller than the new one and has weathered many years of harsh seasons. I removed it gently and placed the new larger chime in its place. The new chime has a deeper voice yet chimes less often because of its weight. The older chime has been like an old friend and it felt right to hang it on a peach tree further down in the orchard. Now when I’ll sit in the winter sun I will hear the deep meditative sound from the new chimes and while working near the peach I will be able to enjoy the playful notes from the old ones.

I then took out the prayer flags. They are small pieces of cloth on a string with prayers printed on each one. They have five colours that represent the five elements. The belief is simple. When the wind flows through the flags the prayers travel outward and spread harmony. A blessing is not meant to be held. It is meant to flow. Against the dark green oaks and the bare branches of apples and pears these colourful flags stand out and add a quiet touch of brightness and happiness.

Among the flags was another version similar to the prayer flags with the famous mantra Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum. I hung it under the pergola I had built for grape vines. The soil may not favour grapes but the space is lovely in the second half of the day. The mantra has many interpretations. According to the Dalai Lama it means that through intention and wisdom we can move along the path of life and gradually cultivate a pure body speech and mind. Some explain each syllable as a reminder of generosity, ethics, patience, diligence, renunciation, and wisdom. All these meanings are beautiful. Sitting under the mantra I often feel a sense of awe at the clarity of the beings who shaped these teachings. In my own life I hope I can touch a small part of their peace.

There is no work to be done in the orchard today, so the day will be spent meeting a friend and mostly by catching up on some reading. I have been reading a thoughtful account on Tibet which ties in beautifully with my conversation with the shopkeeper yesterday.

Walking back to the sunny spot with the new chimes I notice that the thrush has not returned so I settle down without disturbing anyone. The breeze moves through the flags, spreading the prayers around, then reaches the chimes which respond with a thoughtful quiet sound. In that moment I feel the gentle rhythm of my life here. A slow life. A mindful life.

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