Tall Stories About Trees
I’ve just spent three days involved in a retreat entitled Retreat beneath the Trees. You might wonder in the state that has made the California Redwood its home, why would someone come to a retreat to talk about trees?
Well, it turns out that trees are pretty interesting. Not just for gardeners, who often use trees as the large punctuation points of their artwork. But also, arborists, who have made a study of trees. What are trees? Why do we need trees? What have trees ever done for us?
Many of these questions were answered over the course of the weekend. Many attending the retreat didn’t realize that one of the main functions of a tree is to take the poisonous carbon dioxide that fills our atmosphere and turn it into useful oxygen, which is our very breath of life. Recent studies have proven that trees, while not having a brain, or the ability to reason, know what to do when times are hard. They move liquids and nourishment to the parts of the tree that are in need, or have become damaged.
And trees through a combination of their root systems, and other means, communicate with each other. Warning each other of impending danger, and even creating chemical responses, preventing their nearby friend trees from catching some disease or fungi.
There is an intelligence within the tree, and amongst trees that we were only just beginning to understand. Or even scientifically recognize. Trees protect themselves by increasing the amount and thickness of bark so they can survive the most difficult fires. Some acorns and cones can keep their seeds safe for up to 20 years. Thereby ensuring the continuation of their species.
Trees provide an anti-pollution, anti-global warming, eco-friendly, atmosphere for all around them. And when I say atmosphere, I really mean atmosphere.
We all have our favorite trees, we all had many tree experiences, some perhaps from our childhood, others as we’ve traveled through life. They become a part of us that’s important.
Over the course of the weekend, part of our observations of trees, and their behaviors was to see how this ties into our own spiritual lives.
Of course, trees are a part of the wonder of creation. So, the more that we experience and feel being at one with nature, the more our spiritual depth and appreciation expand. Trees are not just a source of wood to do something with, but they also provide fruit, shelter, protection, and many other functions. Interestingly enough when they have provided all of those functions, they then offer themselves up. Offering themselves up to become the framework of someone’s home, the chairs we sit on, the furniture we eat off; and eventually mulch for our garden to nurture the new plants and trees. Sort of the ultimate giving back when you think about it.
Because the tree is not a thinking reasoning being as we are, we don’t think much about their sacrifice. They just are. Trees. Doing what trees do.
But what if I was to think, just for a moment, like a tree I would have to do some difficult things. Firstly, I would have to stop fidgeting, in fact, I would have to stop moving at all, I can wave a lot but I can’t relocate myself. I would have to be happy with where I am right now wherever I was planted and make the best of it.
Anytime I became ill or had a problem, someone Hacked Off my branches, I would not complain. Instead, I would redirect the necessary healing forces to reinforce that area until the wound grew over. And the area where I was wounded would become stronger than any other area on the tree. This not only offering protection but illustrates that wounding me will strengthen me. Something to think about from a spiritual perspective, if I wasn’t a tree.
And then if the weather is bad or the sun is too strong, I just close up my leaves, stay flexible and move with the wind, and right out the storm, or drought, or wind. And I wouldn’t complain. No matter how long it went on for.
And I would still look good and provide water and nourishment to my leaves and branches right till the very end. And at the very end, if it was to come, I wouldn’t complain. I’m just a tree. Doing what trees do.
So when I’m stressed I put all my energy into trying to fix, as best the tree can, whatever the problem is.
Finally, I can say as a tree, that I have no worries. That is because I have no ability to worry, I take it as it comes, and I can’t stress out because I do not have an advanced worrying brain to bother me. And yet the humans lying under me are talking about all their worries, as they eat their picnic, in the shade. The shade which is me. I am just a tree.
But today you need me. And that makes me feel real good.
Copyright 2024 Michael J. Cunningham OFS