Tree as a role model�ever given a thought to that? Well...I did after I read it for the first time in my dear friend Maalok's profile. In times when each of us seeks very specific role models - woman seeking a woman role model, singer seeking a professional singer for role model......to choose tree as a role model does seem a little strange on first thoughts but as I was curious I decided to think over it and to see what I find. And so I began my contemplation in earnest. What kind of model does a tree present to a human ? If I were to live like a tree - what could I learn from how the tree lives and leads its life on this planet. The verdant leaves of the tree provide cool shade while the tree itself bears the scorching heat of the sun. The tree bears so many riches - the fruits and the flowers - none of them for itself but to give and share them freely with all creatures without distinction. The insects and rodents and squirrels dig into its bark and roots and the tree lets them build their home. The free flying birds come and rest and make their nest, lay their eggs and abandon it later- the tree welcomes them as freely as it bids farewell to them. The humans pluck the fruits, the flowers, the leaves - the tree silently and lovingly lets them reap the riches it bears asking nothing in return yet continuing to produce and reproduce more and more. The tree produces for the 'soul' purpose of giving. Very valuable lesson for me I think - Whatever I create and bear as life's riches - love within, my creativity, creations of my efforts, my faculties and my talents if shared freely would give a grander and more divine meaning to my life and its riches. |
The tree rooted to its center appears to sway with the wind but does it really ? The branches and leaves on the tree sway yet the tree stays put and grounded and is not uprooted whatever direction the wind blows and continues to weather the strongest and the most atrocious storm and wind it can. Yet another precious lesson here. If I am centered well in my 'self' then no circumstance, nothing and nobody has the power to sway me from the divine purpose of my life which is giving and sharing the riches that I create and bear. In fact only if I am centered will I have the capacity and capability of fulfilling the divine purpose of my life.
What does being centered in my 'self' entail and how do I ensure that I am centered in my 'self' ? Being centered in my 'self' means to ensure that my relationship to my own 'self' is not lost in the deluge of relationships with all others. For only when I nurture and nourish and protect my own 'self' or 'soul' will I be able to maintain and give to relationship with others. If I do not take care of my 'self' and 'soul', I lose my center and I will be easily swayed and uprooted by the changing winds of so many relationships, varying circumstances that flow through my life.
Continuing the process of contemplation, I thought, 'how does a tree react to the changing seasons?' Well, one thing the tree DOES NOT do is RESIST. The tree goes with the flow of the season, so to speak. Changing its hue and color of leaves, flowering pattern, fruition period with each season. It blooms and beams happy with fruits and flowers in spring. The same tree withers, droops and drops the dead leaves in autumn. The tree never pretends to bloom in autumn nor does it hide its happiness in spring. The lesson for me is to let myself and allow myself the freedom to acknowledge and express my feelings with changing season of emotions in my life. The feelings are neither good nor bad, they simply are. Just as the tree lets go of the blooming flowers in autumn while it celebrates their arrival in spring, I need to learn to let go of the loss that brings sadness and sorrow while still acknowledging and expressing the accompanying feelings. I also need to give myself permission and freedom to celebrate the cause of joy and happiness when I am happy.
There is indeed a lot to learn from a tree limited only by one's thinking and I for one am inspired enough to emulate the qualities that I was able to identify. And so is true about 'nature' that surrounds us � no correction ... of which we are an integral part a fact which we so often need to be reminded about.
Have you noticed how the tree behaves when it encounters an obstruction to its growth? When the way to its growth is blocked, the tree simply changes its path to the one that is free for its growth. It doesn�t resist or fight the obstruction but simply chooses another path. My role model seems to be telling me with its action - If you find the choice or the path that you are walking on is not contributing to your growth�to your highest good, all you need to do is to simply make another choice, choose another path. You do not have to condemn yourself for having made the choice that did not turn out right for you nor do you have to condemn the choice itself.
Another striking quality of the tree that I pondered on and found worth emulating is the fact that a tree always� always�always seeks light. Put a sapling or a growing tree under cover and away from light and it is amazing to see how the young tree invariably and inevitably spreads itself towards the direction of light. It is the very nature of �nature� to seek and absorb light. Without light the growth of a tree gets stunted. This creates the consciousness within me that keeping with the nature of nature of which I am an integral part and in the interest of my growth my endeavor must be to move away from darkness of ignorance and always seek the light of love and light of self-awareness and knowledge both of which will nourish my growth just as sunlight nourishes a tree and helps in its growth.
Extending my thoughts further on the �giving� aspect of the tree I notice that the tree �gives� to anyone who seeks its riches. The tree does not stop a traveler on her way and ask her to take shelter under its shade. So will I give only to those who come and seek my riches. For by allowing the receiver (of my riches) the choice of seeking, I respect her wishes before I give.
Irrespective of how many creatures derive benefit from its riches, the tree continues to be and produce and create its riches. The tree doesn�t produce more or less depending on the number of creatures that derive benefit from it. So will I continue to create myself and my creations and although I will do so with the purpose of sharing and giving all that I create, I will not be attached to the outcome of the purpose. In other words, irrespective of who and how many people and creatures benefit, I will continue to create.
The tree also strikes me with its state of loneliness. It stands bound to the soil all alone - as a hermit � in a state of blissful solitude. It does not seem to be sad or depressed about it. It stands alone and seems to be priding in its magnificence and reveling in its own glorious being and existence. It seems fulfilled in just being itself � a magnificent and glorious creation of God � a tree. I imbibed yet another valuable message while I continued to get absorbed in the inspiration� magnificence, glory and bliss can be found by simply being me � a human being !
