Jasmine Quote by Jane Hirshfield
““Jasmine "Almost the twenty-first century" -- how quickly the thought will grow dated, even quaint. Our hopes, our future, will pass like the hopes and futures of others. And all our anxieties and terrors, nights of sleeplessness, griefs, will appear then as they truly are -- Stumbling, delirious bees in the tea scent of jasmine.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Jasmine” from The Book of the Dead, 1995
The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of hopes and anxieties, likening them to transient, buzzing bees in jasmine scent, emphasizing impermanence and the passage of time.
In simple terms: Hopes and fears are temporary and change with time.
Key Takeaway
Accept change and let anxieties pass.
Themes
impermanence
anxiety
hope
time
nature
Mood
reflective
melancholic
contemplative
Type
poetic
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- meditation
- grief processing
Key Concepts
transience
mindfulness
existential reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you notice the temporary nature of your anxieties?
- What practices help you let fleeting hopes pass without clinging?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may romanticize suffering, overlooking practical coping strategies.
