Dandelion

::Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale):: Everything about the dandelion seed is designed to let it go where the wind takes it. It responds to a child’s breath and a stormy wind with the same simple readiness, riding subtle and mysterious spirals of air to an unknown landing place. The key to a dandelion seed’s remarkable lift is its empty space, which catches air in a tender reverse-parachute. Unlike a fruiting plant, it has no need to tempt creatures to eat its fruit and carry it in their bellies to a nearby resting place. Unlike a rhizome, it doesn’t need to deliberately spread itself underneath the soil, pushing and striving with the earth. It simply becomes empty, and in doing so, it becomes fruitful.

When you enlarge your mind and let go of it,
When you relax your vital breath and expand it,
When your body is calm and unmoving:
And you can maintain the One and discard the myriad disturbances,
You will see profit and not be enticed by it,
You will see harm and not be frightened by it.
Relaxed and unwound, yet acutely sensitive,
In solitude you delight in your own person.
This is called “revolving the vital breath”: Your thoughts and deeds seem heavenly.
[Guanzi]