Election night, 2008, we danced to the music of a traveling band from Italy. The band had been performing in Ashland earlier in the week. While they were in town, they commissioned sleeping quarters in the home of a friend of mine. We’d heard that they were very good. “World class musicians” we were told. We invited them to play for us. They agreed, and so it was that on the night of the election of our new American President, an international crowd gathered in Ashland to celebrate the democratic victory.
The band members consisted of five handsome men with an unmistakable European air about them. Their instruments were percussion, violin, bass, french horn, and keyboard. We waited in great anticipation for the music to begin, wondering what beat would be woven into the elixir of excitement that wafted through this evening of new experiences. There were other international travelers among us; a mother and daughter from Chile, and a husband and wife from Japan. There was joyful gaiety in the midst of broken accents and truncated sentences.
And then it began. The music started quickly, and with great enthusiasm. It was a rapid pulse of energy and beat. The room began to fill with expanding notes that rose up from vibrating instruments and moved toward us in a great mass like a swarm of bees. Within minutes we were immersed in a riot of sound and pulsation. Our senses seemed overcome by this new and unfamiliar experience of music, much in the way just a few hours earlier reality morphed into the surreal when following the emotional speech of our new president elect, the embrace of members of an African American family and a Caucasian family was televised throughout the world.
It seemed fitting on this night that no one among us could adequately describe the nature of the music we were hearing. In my attempts at characterization I came up with something like a fusion of polka and the music of Syrtaki, the dance of Zorba the Greek. During one sequence there were hints of the Adams Family theme song. But as the evening carried on, one by one our bodies began to resonate with this curious vibration, and then lead us to the dance floor. The sensation of new sounds and movements carried us well into the night.
The following morning, as usual, I suited up with leash and baggie and headed into the forest with my dog. It was a beautiful late autumn morning in Ashland, with rain and wind and sleet as I headed to the trail. Raindrops danced on my cheeks while the whole of my body received the melodic whisperings of the wind. The freshness of the morning invigorated my senses. The forest was vibrant. I swung open my arms and invited its vibrancy to permeate my heart, shaking loose old paradigms and patterns and thoughts, feelings and behaviors. This, this now, this is a time for great change. And I prayed to the wind and trees, the earth and sky that I be readied for the task of personal transformation that lay before me.
As I made my way to the upper trail, the movements of the election night dance reawakened within my being. Through the wind and rain and fallen leaves I began to undulate with dance, feeling the trees around me like the audience of onlookers during my dance of the evening before. I felt powerful! The music, the dance, the energy, my spirit and freedom – “what power this is” I thought! To dance in the forest with the trees as my witness, knowing that the energy I was expressing moved through each of them, to another, and another, and from this forest to the next until all of God’s creation had felt me.
I shuttered with the audacity of my thought! “Is it possible”, I wondered in silent communication with the trees, “that I could have such an effect upon creation?” And the trees answered, “do we have such an effect upon you?”
Yes! Yes! I feel the forest’s influence upon my life in remarkable ways. The energy of its expression cultures my thoughts. It remedies my restless heart, and freshens my spirit. I feel the dance of the forest. And I am a part of it. The wave and expression of energy that I think of as my own does not come from me. It is the music of life flowing through me. I am but one of its many dancers as the forest through the trees.
In our silent moments together the forest and I concurit is time for us all to dance again!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Between Heaven and Earth
My morning walks take me through a wooded path that runs alongside a creek that flows from Mt. Ashland. The path crosses the creek four times before it reaches a waterfall trickling through rocks and fallen trees to a small pond where our furry friends and favorite pets bathe and frolic. I often pause on the foot bridges and rocks that allow me to pass from one side of the creek to the other. As I look upstream I give honor and gratitude to the ancestors, all those who have come before who have honored the earth and our journey upon her. As I look downstream I whisper a prayer for all those who are yet to come, the future generations of the paradise of earth. Suddenly I recognize that it is I who stands in the here and now between these two realities. All that has been, and all that is yet to be is dependent upon me in some way to do my part in supporting the continuum of life.
The significance of occupying this position, as between heaven and earth, has been a difficult concept for me to grasp. For the better part of my life, I made a practice of surrendering my life to a greater power. My prayer was to ask what Spirit wanted from me, where I was needed to be, how I could be of service. It was quite shocking to me when the response I heard was “whatever you want to do”.
In my last forum entry I recorded the advice I received from the Cedar tree reminding me that whatever I am capable of doing is mine to do. Little by little I am beginning to understand the position I hold as I live my life between Heaven and Earth and in accordance with those who have come before and those who are yet to be.
“By myself I can do nothing” reminds us that it is through the grace of Spirit that we walk this path. Our breath, our life, our journey is a gift of the divine. All that we are capable of doing is the divine blessing of life itself. It is the earth that supports and nourishes our journey here. And it is I who stands here alive in this moment to embody the consciousness that allows me to bring these graces through me and into the physical world. It is up to me and the choices I make as to how I live that will render the purposefulness of my life.
As we progress upon our spiritual paths and evolve into our greater selves, each of us is given a little more responsibility in learning to live an enlightened life. I am grateful to the many daily gifts of friends and spirit that assist me in my awakening, and for the blessing of this forum that permits me to share my thoughts with others.
The significance of occupying this position, as between heaven and earth, has been a difficult concept for me to grasp. For the better part of my life, I made a practice of surrendering my life to a greater power. My prayer was to ask what Spirit wanted from me, where I was needed to be, how I could be of service. It was quite shocking to me when the response I heard was “whatever you want to do”.
In my last forum entry I recorded the advice I received from the Cedar tree reminding me that whatever I am capable of doing is mine to do. Little by little I am beginning to understand the position I hold as I live my life between Heaven and Earth and in accordance with those who have come before and those who are yet to be.
“By myself I can do nothing” reminds us that it is through the grace of Spirit that we walk this path. Our breath, our life, our journey is a gift of the divine. All that we are capable of doing is the divine blessing of life itself. It is the earth that supports and nourishes our journey here. And it is I who stands here alive in this moment to embody the consciousness that allows me to bring these graces through me and into the physical world. It is up to me and the choices I make as to how I live that will render the purposefulness of my life.
As we progress upon our spiritual paths and evolve into our greater selves, each of us is given a little more responsibility in learning to live an enlightened life. I am grateful to the many daily gifts of friends and spirit that assist me in my awakening, and for the blessing of this forum that permits me to share my thoughts with others.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Advice from a Cedar Tree
Some years ago while taking a class on entering the field of grace*, I was given an assignment to begin a dialogue with nature. There are a few books** written about the topic. One of the recommended approaches to learning how to hear nature’s voice is to open the heart, using it as an organ of perception. In my first attempts at it, I felt rather awkward and somewhat intimidated wondering if this practice wasn’t better suited to those who are gifted with clairaudience. But after a short time I began to perceive responses while walking through the forest greeting the trees and the rocks and the earth.
On one of my favorite trails is a favorite tree of mine. It’s a cedar tree that has offered me gifts of its fragrant boughs from time to time. In recent years this particular tree hasn’t been looking too healthy to me. It seems to have grown spindly and barren, covered with moss. Realizing that I had not been paying much attention to it since its change in appearance, I stopped to greet it and to spend some time in communication with my old friend.
It was hard to admit to the cedar tree that I felt as though it wasn’t well, perhaps it was dying, carrying the burden of pollution and imbalance upon our planet. My feelings of distress about this possibility had caused me to look away and not ask it for its gifts any longer. I could barely finish expressing my sentiment to the tree when I began to perceive a response.
The cedar tree communicated to me that it was indeed healthy and strong, and that it continued to serve vital functions within the forest and upon the earth. Any thoughts or perceptions that I might have otherwise are merely projections on my part. I replied that I was pleased to know that, and I thanked the tree for its message as I continued my walk pondering these new thoughts.
The following day I stopped to visit the cedar tree again and our conversation continued. What I heard from the tree brought a subtle peace and joy to my heart. It said, “There is a great deal of information in the world, a great deal of input and opinion about what is going on, what there is to do, and what needs to be done. If one really wishes to know what matters, there is no reason to pay attention to much other than oneself. All there is for each of us to do is to do what we can.”
Ah. To do what we can do. These simple, elegant truths are among the greatest joys that I experience in nature. In this day and age it is sometimes difficult to recognize simplicity. Here in this simple statement I find great wisdom. While we strive to be our best selves, and to do our best work, and to find our mission in life, we can remember the advice of a cedar tree that tells us to simply do what we can in each moment. A kind thought or gesture, a silent prayer, a greeting to a tree, a piece of trash misplaced, a small donation to a good cause, a remembrance of the abundance of gifts that surround us in every moment, these are among the countless things that we can do.
As we look upon the difficulties that we perceive as challenges to our world, remember to acknowledge the strength and dignity that remains present within each aspect and expression of nature, including ourselves.
*The Field : The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe by Lynne Mctaggart
**The Secret Teachings of Plants: The Intelligence of the Heart in the Direct Perception of Nature by Stephen Harrod Buhner
On one of my favorite trails is a favorite tree of mine. It’s a cedar tree that has offered me gifts of its fragrant boughs from time to time. In recent years this particular tree hasn’t been looking too healthy to me. It seems to have grown spindly and barren, covered with moss. Realizing that I had not been paying much attention to it since its change in appearance, I stopped to greet it and to spend some time in communication with my old friend.
It was hard to admit to the cedar tree that I felt as though it wasn’t well, perhaps it was dying, carrying the burden of pollution and imbalance upon our planet. My feelings of distress about this possibility had caused me to look away and not ask it for its gifts any longer. I could barely finish expressing my sentiment to the tree when I began to perceive a response.
The cedar tree communicated to me that it was indeed healthy and strong, and that it continued to serve vital functions within the forest and upon the earth. Any thoughts or perceptions that I might have otherwise are merely projections on my part. I replied that I was pleased to know that, and I thanked the tree for its message as I continued my walk pondering these new thoughts.
The following day I stopped to visit the cedar tree again and our conversation continued. What I heard from the tree brought a subtle peace and joy to my heart. It said, “There is a great deal of information in the world, a great deal of input and opinion about what is going on, what there is to do, and what needs to be done. If one really wishes to know what matters, there is no reason to pay attention to much other than oneself. All there is for each of us to do is to do what we can.”
Ah. To do what we can do. These simple, elegant truths are among the greatest joys that I experience in nature. In this day and age it is sometimes difficult to recognize simplicity. Here in this simple statement I find great wisdom. While we strive to be our best selves, and to do our best work, and to find our mission in life, we can remember the advice of a cedar tree that tells us to simply do what we can in each moment. A kind thought or gesture, a silent prayer, a greeting to a tree, a piece of trash misplaced, a small donation to a good cause, a remembrance of the abundance of gifts that surround us in every moment, these are among the countless things that we can do.
As we look upon the difficulties that we perceive as challenges to our world, remember to acknowledge the strength and dignity that remains present within each aspect and expression of nature, including ourselves.
*The Field : The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe by Lynne Mctaggart
**The Secret Teachings of Plants: The Intelligence of the Heart in the Direct Perception of Nature by Stephen Harrod Buhner
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Just like a Tree
As I walked in the woods this morning, like every morning with Krista (my dog), I looked up into the canopy of trees soaring well above my head and noticed their majestic arms outstretched reaching for the sky. What I saw was their love and gratitude, arms offering great love and devotion to the sun and the wind and the rain.
I became aware, then, of their deep roots reaching into Earth Mother, offering the same exchange of love and gratitude. Here they stand, these giant beings, positioned so gracefully and honorably between heaven and earth. It was clear to me that they belonged here. That the energy and heart of each tree pulses in unison with all that is ... the oneness ... the elements .... the universe. They are known. They are supported here. And they give thanks.
As I stood in witness to this beautiful relationship, I reached my arms up to the sky and felt my feet firmly planted in the soil, and I gave love and gratitude to the sun and the wind and the rain. I realized then that I was just like a tree, intentionally occupying a position between heaven and earth. I began to see that it is for me, and for the trees, that the sun and the wind and the rain exist. All of creation supports me here, and supports the forests, and all beings. And I gave thanks.
Immediately I was filled with the awareness that this was required of me, and of the trees, in exchange for this gift of support. It is necessary to return something to the universe in order to maintain balance, equity, and flow within it. I saw with great clarity, that the simple act of gratitude maintains the blessings of all of life. All that each of us must do is to be grateful, genuinely grateful, for this extraordinary journey of life within a universe that supports us in every way. Our gratitude provides the fuel, the energy, that allows our planet and our universe to continue to flow in balance and health.
I became aware, then, of their deep roots reaching into Earth Mother, offering the same exchange of love and gratitude. Here they stand, these giant beings, positioned so gracefully and honorably between heaven and earth. It was clear to me that they belonged here. That the energy and heart of each tree pulses in unison with all that is ... the oneness ... the elements .... the universe. They are known. They are supported here. And they give thanks.
As I stood in witness to this beautiful relationship, I reached my arms up to the sky and felt my feet firmly planted in the soil, and I gave love and gratitude to the sun and the wind and the rain. I realized then that I was just like a tree, intentionally occupying a position between heaven and earth. I began to see that it is for me, and for the trees, that the sun and the wind and the rain exist. All of creation supports me here, and supports the forests, and all beings. And I gave thanks.
Immediately I was filled with the awareness that this was required of me, and of the trees, in exchange for this gift of support. It is necessary to return something to the universe in order to maintain balance, equity, and flow within it. I saw with great clarity, that the simple act of gratitude maintains the blessings of all of life. All that each of us must do is to be grateful, genuinely grateful, for this extraordinary journey of life within a universe that supports us in every way. Our gratitude provides the fuel, the energy, that allows our planet and our universe to continue to flow in balance and health.
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