Trees are excellent listeners. They never interrupt,
allowing the learner to exercise her voice and hear herself. A tree is not
concerned with being right, in fact for a tree there is not right or wrong.
This is not immoral, simply a tree holds the whole and is slow to judge. Maybe
a tree judges once or twice in a lifetime.
Trees enjoy pauses! — the space between words, feelings and conversation are as important as the words spoken. These pauses allow for delicious, reflective pondering and appreciation. As a teacher, a tree never feels the need to impart wisdom. The tree expresses interest in the learner, creating a space for them to experience connection. Spend time with trees. Sit down, have a conversation – this will introduce a new natural rhythm if you are open.
Notice this about a tree—it grows in both directions and expands in all directions. Next, notice nourishment is received in two directions – the earth and the heavens. Now this is called a “divine position”—a position so natural that it leads to an experience of deep serenity or connection with the divine. The divine exists in many forms. I leave the naming of the divine to you.
When a being is connected to the heavens and the earth and there is an unrestricted flow of nourishment and sharing –an incredible, deep balance is achieved. Ha! Have you ever tried to knock over a tree? The same is true with humans who are deeply connected to the heavens and the earth – the stronger the flow of nourishment and sharing, the greater the balance. Have you ever tried to knock over a master teacher/healer, saint, holy person, someone deeply in-service? Good luck! They will not be disturbed by your words, feelings, actions, creations or energy.
Now connection to the heavens and earth is not absolute. You do not need to be declared a saint to make progress. Essential to this story is not just connection, but the nature of the flow of nourishment and sharing. Trees share big! They are in-service, as providers. The connection to heaven and earth both supports their service and leads them into service as an offering. This is a natural circle with a perfect rhythm of growth.
Trees provide oxygen for life and breath, how essential! Next they provide shelter and homes to all manner of living creatures small and large – in both life and death. A tree finds more satisfaction providing a home to others when it is alive.
What about you? How are you doing as a provider? How and to whom do you provide?
With trees we notice a posture to practice – “our connection to heavens and earth with bold flows of nourishment and sharing.” We also sense the qualities of balance, connection, flow, sharing, providing, listening, pausing, appreciating and respecting. These are all worth cultivating in your life.
The practice is: 1) Start seeing trees, spend time with them. Let them introduce you to a new rhythm; 2) Notice the nature of your connection to the heavens and the earth. What could you do to expand this? We will have another conversation about this. 3) Take the next step and expand the quality and nature of your providing.
If you chose to see, trees express a divine position from which we can learn to be ourselves more. Maybe now you can understand why it is said – Trees are good teachers.
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