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The Wisdom of Trees By Diana Harris
As I write this, I am sitting in a grove of trees near my home. It is a beautiful clear day. The smell of green Earth, the moss beneath me, and the occasional whisper of the wind create a private oasis. I relax my back against a tall white pine and am taken back to a time where humankind knew we were not separate from Nature. Rather, we revered her. Mother Earth provided our forbears with food, medicine, clothing, and shelter. In gratitude, we paid homage to her. Our earliest traditions are rooted in her worship and give testimony to the intimate partnership between Nature and humanity. In my mind’s eye, I see another circle of trees – this one is very ancient. It is a sacred grove that pre-dates the stone monoliths of Stonehenge. Sacred groves were humanity’s original churches. To our ancestors, trees represent a bridge between us and the Divine. Their mighty trunks symbolize our connection to Mother Earth; their roots – our interconnectedness to all of Life; and the soaring branches link to Heaven.
Trees are the oldest, wisest, and largest living Beings on Earth. I am awed by the Love that they embody. These elders of our beautiful planet remind me that all life-forms have wisdom to share for those that are willing to learn their language. The language of trees is carried beneath the whispering wind. The sound is deep and rich with the wisdom of the ages. Within it, one can hear the heartbeat of Mother Earth. I breathe deeply, connect to Earth, and listen with my Heart. The elders tell me that they are Keepers of Earth History. The rings of a tree hold, not only, the physical DNA of the individual tree but the karmic history of life on Earth. These codes are passed from tree to tree through an intricate underground root system. This is a valuable lesson for humanity. We are connected to all of Life. We share the same root system and live under the same sky. Therefore, our individual actions are not individual. Our world becomes a reflection of our actions. What we do to one…we do to all. Our actions influence the whole and help to shape the karma of the planet. Nature, being inherently intelligent and self-balancing, reflects back to us the level of consciousness that humanity has evolved to. If there are dysfunctions in our eco-systems, then those affected eco-systems serve as teachers to illustrate the areas of imbalance within our collective psyche. This provides humanity the opportunity to heal our outer and inner worlds, to realize the interconnectedness of Life, and to consciously evolve. Nature supports the Soul’s journey. To our ancestors, our tree brethren symbolized wisdom, regeneration, and immortality. In the ancient Mystery Schools, trees represented the path to enlightenment. In many stories, the masters ventured into the wilderness to reach enlightenment and to reconnect to their true nature (God). As examples, Christ ventured into the wilderness and the Buddha found enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The wise ones say that trees need the powerful March winds to flex their trunks and branches, so that the sap is drawn upward to nourish the new buds. Since humanity is an integral part of Nature - this law of Nature applies to us, as well. It may be that humanity, at this point in our evolution, requires the storms of life to challenge us so that we may grow. Admittedly, most of us don't like to change - but change we must in order to survive and thrive. Perhaps, we could apply the wisdom of trees to our individual and collective journeys. Trees yield, bend, and adapt to the wind because they know that the real purpose of the wind is to encourage growth. The sap flows upward with the assistance of the wind so that all branches receive nourishment. Life energy from Mother Earth is contained in the sap. Through spring and summer, the tree blooms. By late summer the tree’s growing period slows. In autumn, the green begins to wane – eventually fading to reveal the rich reds and gold’s inherent in the leaves. These colors were always present but were hidden by the green. Autumn heralds maturity. As winter approaches, the leaves fall. Mother Earth prepares for rest. The trees response to the seasons teaches us to honor natural law and integrate its principles into our everyday existence. We are reminded to align with our true nature (Divine) and to move in accord with our own natural cycles. The cyclical dance of Nature reflects the synchronicity and perfection of the Universe. Our tree brother and sisters stand individually but their branches intertwine teaching healthy inter-dependence and community. Trees willingly share their resources. They know that Balance is rooted to Heaven and Earth. Meditation facilitates this. Their branches reach skyward in gratitude. . They ask us to share resources, to stand tall for the good of all of life, to allow ourselves to stretch so that we may grow, to honor our Source, and to give gratitude for the great and small. Trees remind us that there is power and grace in yielding. There is a message of love and support for humanity here. We are more resilient and capable than we acknowledge. Within us, is the power to rebirth a New Earth. We are inherently strong and graceful like our tree brethren.
"Good timber does not grow with ease; ~ JW Marriott
The elders say: The wilderness that we ask you to venture into is the landscape of your fears. What are your beliefs and actions rooted in? Love or Fear? To answer those questions honestly is a beginning. Fear faced becomes awareness. Awareness facilitates enlightenment. As understanding grows – one naturally comes to express more love, joy, and care for all of Life. It comes forward as a spring to nourish the blossoming of an awakened soul. You are the root of the future. You are the One that you have been waiting for! If what I say resonates with you, it is merely
Diana Harris is a nationally recognized intuitive counselor, psychic medium, healer, and teacher. She reaches audiences worldwide through her writing and other media. Diana travels throughout the US to conduct transformational workshops, speak at conferences, and offer mediumship or intuitive counseling. She has worked with several major expos/conferences and is often a contributing writer to SpiritSide, Explore Your Spirit, By Region, Om Place, and other holistic journals. Learn more about Diana’s private practice, classes, healing services, and products at her website: http://www.sacredspiraldance.com |
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