Trees: September 3 - 9

In The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben writes there is no such thing as an individual tree but through its roots and branches it is connected to the entire forest. The forest with all of its trees and plants and animals is the living organism. And so it is with us. We are vines and branches woven together. It is in the holding of each other in our hearts that we live and move and have our being. Sometimes I name this heart-holding as prayer and sometimes I name it as community and sometimes I name it as love. Whatever this sacred and ordinary belonging is called, I am grateful we are in this together.

Practice

Hang out with a tree today. Sit in its shade and enjoy its company. Share sacred reciprocity. Listen with your ears, listen with your heart, and listen with your body.

Here's a more formal version of this exercise from The Song of Trees by David Haskell.

Pick a tree.

Commit to return to it again and again.

Bring an enthusiastic openness of your senses to the tree.

Don’t think this will lead to enlightenment, insight, or sacrament.

Try to visit the tree in various weather conditions.

Notice how different people interact with the tree.

Notice your own thoughts and experiences.