--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There was a small glass vase between us…" description: "\"“There was a small glass vase between us, three gladioli in a few ounces of water. One of the gladioli had dropped a petal- brushstroke of purple on fi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/roland-merullo-18220_buddhism_there-was-a-small-glass-vase-between-us_1211123.png" --- # There was a small glass vase between us, three gladioli in… ![“There was a small glass vase between us, three gladioli in a few ounces of water. One of the gladioli had dropped a petal- brushstroke of purple on fine white cloth. Rinpoche drank the last sip of his tea, then set the cup aside, took the petal with his thumb and second finger, placed it on the…” quote by Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/roland-merullo-18220_buddhism_there-was-a-small-glass-vase-between-us_1211123.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/roland-merullo-18220_buddhism_there-was-a-small-glass-vase-between-us_1211123.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/roland-merullo-18220_buddhism_there-was-a-small-glass-vase-between-us_1211123.png) > ““There was a small glass vase between us, three gladioli in a few ounces of water. One of the gladioli had dropped a petal- brushstroke of purple on fine white cloth. Rinpoche drank the last sip of his tea, then set the cup aside, took the petal with his thumb and second finger, placed it on the middle of the saucer in front of him, and turned the cup upside down to cover it. "I feel a lesson coming on," I said... "The flower is the good inside every person," he said. "The cup is like a wall, to protect. Many people have that wall." "Armor" I said. He nodded. "Why?" "Because to live without the cup means you must feel the world as the world really is.”” [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A teacher uses a flower and cup metaphor to illustrate inner goodness and protective barriers we people build, suggesting true perception requires shedding defenses. **In simple terms:** Inner goodness vs. protective walls; see beyond defenses. Key Takeaway Recognize and gently lower your own protective walls. Themes self-awareness metaphor inner goodness defense mechanisms Mood reflective thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - conflict resolution - mindfulness - relationship building Key Concepts psychology spiritual teaching human nature Questions to Reflect On - What walls are you holding up? - How can you safely lower them? A Different Perspective Some may view vulnerability as weakness, hindering openness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Coffee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coffee/) [Cup Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cup-means-496743/) [Dropped Petal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dropped-petal-3671115/) [Rinpoche Drank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rinpoche-drank-3671113/) [Said Cup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-cup-1617309/) [Took Petal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/took-petal-3671114/) ## Related quotes > [“I took off petal after petal, as if you were a rose, in order to see your soul, and I didn't see it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-ramon-jimenez/i-took-off-petal-after-petal-as-if-you-were-a-rose-in-order-to-see/) [Juan Ramón Jiménez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-ramon-jimenez/) > [“Boy George famously said a cup of tea is better than you-know-what. 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