NATURE in its pristine glory, free from human manipulation, expresses the universal state of Unconditional Love that offers us nourishment and, if we are able to hear them, the teachings that our bodies and souls need to survive. It is becoming harder and harder to hear the voice of nature, to pay attention to its wisdom and to understand its lessons.
Practise to observe nature’s plants and creatures. Be grateful for their fruits and other foods as they are given with Love and offer from within themselves the strengths that sustain and the purity that heals. Allow yourself to be open to the worldly manifestations of subtle universe. Learn about the cycles of life: water, minerals, the cosmos, the natural year – and more. It is their hidden forces that shape our lives – always did and always will. Explore beyond the boundary of our 21st century hard-walled ‘bubble’. Touch the trees; place your bare feet on the soil, rocks and sand. Paddle in the water – or wild swim. Many city dwellers, and sadly many of their children too, lack nature-knowledge. And they are somewhat afraid.
Accept the offer of nature to soothe, excite and entrance you. Let it help you to let go of the things in your life that are no longer beneficial. Allow its wisdom to help you cope with your fear, anger, apathy – or whatever ails you. Start by acknowledging yourself as you are (your perceived warts and all!). Honour yourself by accepting that you are part of the wholeness of nature, a part of our original oneness. Decide how, or what you would like to change or cope with in your life. Don’t judge, don’t suppress, don’t be unwilling to accept responsibility for yourself. Take your pain, whatever form it appears as, out into nature and ask for a guide towards help and healing. If you are unable to go outside, or even open a window be creative in your approach – there are always ways and means of reaching out.
Trust. Nature provides spiritual as well as physical nourishment, but in both realms we have almost forgotten how to address it with respect, humility and grace. First consider our magnificent trees. Small and slender, tall and wide, and everything between. Alone, in small groups or in forests. A mirror of us?
Once you have decided to deepen your connection with nature and to develop your knowledge, consider how to prepare. Read about the things you favour. Consider where they like to grow, how they feed and clothe you or other creatures. Discover how your trees live now and how they developed over millenia Perhaps they have always sacrificed themselves to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, or to provide a means of transport. Make a conscious effort to honour them in your daily life.
If you choose to spend time with a specific tree, in your nearby wood, at a local park, or maybe just along your street, be aware that this tree has played its part in drawing you towards it. Perhaps it has a teaching for you. You too have roots, a trunk … a heart, and ways in which you flower and reproduce. We are companion spirits in the dance of life. Both you and the tree have life force and this life force is one with all universal consciousness. Everything is connected. Nature holds knowledge of spirit and soul so let your mind relax and your heart open as you approach your tree.
Observe your tree’s growing tendencies. Each direction will have its own characteristics developed from experience of life – cosmic, chemical and practical. The varied aspects of the tree may offer you new perspective on life in that landscape and your own place, nearby in the community.
Quietly and calmly walk around your tree, traditionally in a clockwise route since this is the movement of the cosmos. As you go closer try to feel how the energy changes, and finally place your hands on the bark. Pay attention to this instant of connection in the physical world. Life to life in its different forms. There will be a best place for you to sit, and you will find it.
After a while, ask to sit facing the tree, or to lean against its trunk. Ask from your heart, and when you are ready you may understand that the tree is receptive to inquiry. As a first attempt at deepening your connection ask if your tree has a teaching for you that will help you in your daily life right now. Wait patiently, watch, look, listen and pay attention to what you learn. But, don’t be disheartened if there is no immediate response, or you find it difficult to grasp. Allow your heart energy to merge with that of the tree. Close your eyes and let whatever wisdom comes to you be, just as it is.
Have a small notepad and pencil with you so that you can write down your feelings and thoughts. They are quite ephemeral and you will want to remember them – especially your first experiences. Remember to draw yourself slowly away from the energy of the tree, and give it your thanks. Perhaps a small offering of a few drops of water.
Gradually build up your relationship with the tree by visiting at various times of day, and night if you can. Though, of course, this is not always possible or practical. All you need to do is the best that you can.
It may take several visits before your sensitivity and that of the tree combine. Connect often and keep your awareness focussed on the tree and its essence of life.
Plants too are keen healers, intelligent and willing to help. Sit in some outside space – wild or not – and open yourself to the energies of the small plants around you. One or more may attract your attention. Trust your intuition and when a plant calls to you approach and sit with it. Silently appreciate its form, size, smell and feel. Do you know what its name is? Close your eyes, relax down and let the plant communicate with you. Pay attention to how you feel in its presence. Ask if it has a teaching for you. Note down what you have learnt, thank the plant, make a little offering of a drop of water and leave slowly and quietly. Perhaps you will need to go back to the plant and find out how you can work together.
Get to know different plants one to one, and after a while see if you can then learn to identify them by their energy. Go into the garden at night and notice how the plants are then. Develop and deepen your skills and you may find that you are invited to dance with the plant spirits.
Working with the essence and spirits of trees and plants is a partnership with nature. Whichever of them you choose, first arm yourself with a few good books, an A4 pad and pens, a pack of water and little offerings, and your plan. Whatever helps you to focus on your physical and spiritual connections to nature is good.
Happy Meetings