Today, let’s embark on a spiritual journey of heavenly inspiration, discovering “Harmony,” embracing “The Beauty” of creation, cherishing the precious “Free Will” bestowed on us by GOD, and finding inner peace through “Resting.”
One day when Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) was strolling along the roadside near the Costa Rica Ashram, She found the scenery extremely beautiful. She loved it so much that She fetched Her painting materials from the ashram immediately. The wind was so strong that Master had to hold the drawing board with one hand as She was painting. With the innocence of a child, Master’s paint brush briskly caressed the canvas as She painted the grassland. One by one blissful flowers and grass were created by Her spontaneous strokes. Master particularly loved the dark green slope She painted. With the lovely scarlet flowers dancing brilliantly, the slope looks like a thick, velvety carpet, enticing people to climb up and slide down its surface.
The vibrant flowers in the foreground harmonize with the deep green hillside in the distance. Together, they create a scene of remarkable balance and serenity, inviting us to appreciate nature’s harmony, beauty, and blessings, so generously provided.
While Harmony captures nature’s serenity, “The Beauty” celebrates its vivid colors and joyful vitality. Let’s now turn our attention to this remarkable painting.
In this painting, the tiny violet wildflowers called Santa Lucia cover the slope of the Costa Rica Ashram like waves in a violet ocean. Initially, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) selected a small tree to be included in this picture. Feeling that this tree was too small for the composition She created the big, bright red trees. Master said that it was not necessary to always stick to the actual colors, as this could be too dull and monotonous. Take a closer look, the clouds seem to be rolling in the sky! It is not easy to reproduce moving objects vividly, so Master was most delighted after this painting was completed. It took Her many attempts before She successfully blended the colors of the flowers. These flowers had not bloomed so beautifully, and only after Master came did they appear to be so much alive as if to welcome Her arrival.
Through Her inspired use of color and composition, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) reveals nature’s hidden beauty and vitality. May these uplifting paintings inspire us to appreciate the harmony, loveliness, and blessings that enrich our lives.
Through Her paintings, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) shares not only beautiful landscapes, but also profound spiritual lessons. Let’s continue our excursion with another inspiring work, “Free Will.”
After a meditation retreat in Costa Rica, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) traveled to Panama at the invitation of a sincere spiritual seeker. On a hillside behind the host’s house stood a small tree covered with blossoms. Fearless of the strong winds, it thrived among rocks and thorny bushes.
Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) said, “Look at the hillside behind the house. It slopes at an angle, and even the tree itself grows slanted. There is always wind there. Can you see the presence of the wind?” She chose this tree as the subject of Her painting, symbolizing our steadfast determination to persevere on the spiritual path regardless of adversity.
The orange and dark green leaves reveal the tree’s strong, vibrant energy, while the sturdy brown trunk and branches reflect its enduring strength. Although rooted on a slanted rocky hillside, the tree flourishes so abundantly that the rocks beneath are almost hidden by its leaves and blossoms. The clear blue sky shining through the branches infuses the painting with warmth, hope, and encouragement. Together, these elements beautifully convey the freedom of the spirit and the unwavering determination to keep growing despite adversity.
While “Free Will” reflects perseverance in the face of life’s challenges, “Resting” gently invites us to find a deeper sense of peace, contentment, and harmony with nature.
Created during Supreme Master Ching Hai’s trip through Panama’s Paradise Mountains in 1991, “Resting” portrays a peaceful natural setting filled with vibrant colors and serenity. Before the painting was completed, Master invited Her disciples to guess its title. Their responses led to a fascinating discussion about the work’s deeper meaning.
Master: (Master has painted “The Universe.”) Oh, such a big deal! [It’s] It’s something very simple. (She says, “Master… another Ashram, new Ashram.”) Oh no, please, you do not work for me here. All the time you think of working. (“Panama?”) No, [it has] nothing to do with Panama here. (She says, “Resting place.”) [That’s] That’s too much! “Resting”! So that is not really good enough. “Resting”! But I do not have to use it. Nearly! “Resting,” but not place, any place can be for resting. Resting includes more space; resting place is more limited. Do you understand the difference in adding one more word? That’s what we call, “Duo Zuei” in Chinese, which means “long-winded,” “not necessary.” (“Resting Picture?”) What? (“Resting picture!”) Picture? How can a picture rest? “Resting,” that’s all “Resting.” (Resting! Interior resting!) Yes, that’s right! If you say place, it means you must have a space, and that is on the exterior already. So, if we call it “Resting place” or “Resting tent” or resting whatever, it’s already physical.
It’s only a symbol. You don’t need to draw a person lying there, full-length, but you just draw a tent resting there, and then you know the owner is resting. And that doesn’t mean being lazy or miserable or hiding away, because the color is very bright; it means the inside is very happy. Therefore, if we put too many words inside, it’s different. It’s too much talk. We should not have to put any words there, but since people don’t understand, we have to put “Resting” there; otherwise, everyone who sees it won’t know.
I never knew I could paint before. I’ve never studied even for one minute with a professional painter. And I haven’t even read books about painting. But I just paint because I want to express something, and I think that’s the best painting. Even though oil painting is the most difficult, but I’ve found it [is not difficult for] me. Now, so you see the color symbolizes inner happiness and harmony; otherwise, the rock would be grey, the river would be black and the forest would only be green.
This is the color of resting and tranquility. I could have included more red and yellow, but it would have been too hectic. Now you know why the colors are like that, why the name is like this. You have to express something, you have to have spirit.
Now you know why I painted it like that. Do you like it or not? With a painting you can only say “I like it” or “I don’t like it.” You cannot say “I understand it” because it is not [always] possible to understand it. Also it is not proper to say we understand a poem, or we understand a painting; we just like it. I think I like it. I didn’t know I could paint it, and it looks so real, it looks very much like the object.
Through this lively exchange, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) reveals the deeper meaning behind “Resting” and the spiritual message embodied in the painting. The work reminds us that even in a life devoted to spiritual and humanitarian service, moments of quiet reflection are precious. It beautifully conveys contentment, freedom, and unity with nature, revealing that true rest comes not merely from the surroundings but from the soul’s peaceful state.
