It's hard to imagine beings as beneficial as the trees. They beautify the landscape, providing shade, timber, fruit, and are the refuge and shelter for birds and other wildlife. Communicate underground with the atmosphere and purify the air. Attract clouds, regulate rain, stabilize the climate and ensure the soil moisture. Combat erosion and prevent excess of wind.
Every human being, as each tree is a miniature and a summary of the universe.
The English poet Alexander Pope wrote that a tree is "something nobler than a prince in his coronation costume".
Trees have a strong magical nature. They are universally regarded as a symbol of the relationship between heaven and earth. With its vertical structure - the trunk - the tree establishes a symbolic axis linking the physical world and the divine world. Moreover, its branches, twigs, leaves and fruits gather a whole community of birds, insects, reptiles and small mammals, which is a symbol of the infinite diversity of life.
Imagine the universe as an inverted tree that has its roots in heaven and their leaves and fruit on earth.
This tree represents mythological every human soul, and whose origins are rooted in eternity, but whose leaves and fruits are the practical activities of the concrete world.
Every human being, as each tree is a miniature and a summary of the universe. This is one of the reasons we have much to gain by living with the trees. The experience of communion with them is part of a larger communion with all nature and the human soul freed from their suffering.
There is nothing better to relieve the suffering of the soul than walking through the forest, feeling its energy to revitalize the spirit. Be baptized in the waters of a stream.
But mankind forgot to supply their forces in nature and go for searching consol in rampant consumerism that destroys forests.
In the ancient world, new civilizations appeared healthy in forested regions as well. Some time later, populations have multiplied and wood consumption grew excessively. The trees were used as firewood - something essential to melt metal - and also as material for building houses and boats.
Our poor human intelligence can only win when we realize the intelligence of the trees. The content of the lessons they bring to us, however, depends on our ability to put aside the little things that we think we know, and open ourselves to the magic of life ...
To the magic of trees!
Rosane, this is for you...enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI prune my lime tree
under the luminous moon
of early evening. The citrus
smell of broken leaves
is pungent and wonderful.
I know the cutting will make
the tree stronger, more beautiful.
It trusts me and responds to the pain,
for already, even the order of shaping
has produced a different mood for us;
the discarded sprigs on the ground
ring the tree like a variegated lime lei,
my offering to this faithful tree,
my promise that things will change
between us.
As I pause in the process —
breathe, observe, feel —
I encounter the tree, ceasing
to be an "it"and transforming
itself into Buber's "Thou."
In this new, reciprocal relationship,
we move toward holiness, the tree and I,
as I whisper, "You, tree."
again a great artical... you have written it amazingly.. I want permission to convert it in hindi for hindi readers
ReplyDeletesure Ajay...One day I will write in hindi myself...
ReplyDeletethanks again for you both. Great poem Robert!
ha ha ha
ReplyDeleteSure you will write soon in hindi...
You can take classes from me..
Welcome dear in India..
:)