The tree is like an antenna
Day 74 of my tree puja.
Through the antenna, I align with Mother Earth.
I realised today that the tree is Mother Earth…
Between the sun and the earth
Day 73 of my tree puja.
Trees are our sun umbrellas, protection from the fire in the sky.
I was a bit late. The sun is already bright and hot. Even at this early hour, it shines with great force…
A sustaining force
Day 72 of my tree puja.
The principle of an energy field and caring for it becomes clear. This is a traditional idea that modernity is alienated from.
Over time the ritual creates, or perhaps connects with and opens a field of energy. This must be maintained...
Trees and birds are one
Day 71 of my tree puja.
Trees are not islands. They are worlds. Birds inhabit that world.
If not for the tree ritual I wouldn’t go out each morning to stand in nature and hear the birds.
Protective energy derives from love.
Day 70 of my tree puja.
I sense the energy exchange between us.
I stood beneath the tree, doing the things, chanting the mantras, asking that all trees may be loved, respected, and protected as she is…
In the moment, without resistance
Day 69 of my tree puja.
I realise that the tree has perfect self-knowledge.
I was late to bed and late to rise and late to the tree. Nevertheless, I went…
The regularity stabilises the energy
Day 68 of my tree puja.
Yesterday I met with some of the world’s tallest trees. We need to touch and rest on such beings. Press your ear against the trunk, press your palms into their strength, be with that tree for a little while and feel the steady power which we are welcome to share.
The tree was pleased with my presence and efforts today…
I get dissipated and lose my discipline
Day 67 of my tree puja.
The tree is a brilliant psychologist. I’ll leave that for you to think through.
She is right – routines help ground us, and I need to be stronger at maintaining them…
Agitation and frustration
Day 66 of my tree puja.
Separation is the opposite of unity.
it’s just a state of mind for a while…
Steadiness in change
Day 65 of my tree puja.
The tree’s energy is not static, but it is steady.
Today there is a mingling of energies by the wind, and some talk amongst the different nature devas, trees, and birds…
No words, no words, they don’t have words
Day 64 of my tree puja.
Without words we know each other.
The earth was cold. I was surrounded by the plants of the garden. They included me in their hold, I was welcome…
Keeps nothing it does not need
Day 63 of my tree puja.
Amidst the complexity of human society, the lessons from the tree are simple.
It has been raining. I have been away for a few days in northern Tasmania, visiting and interviewing for my work…
Comfortable in earth and sky
Day 62 of my tree puja.
Yesterday I put the sprinkler on to water the tree. Today, I sense her relief.
The tree is no longer thirsty…
Thank you for the water
Day 61 of my tree puja.
Winter and spring were non-stop rain. Now the soil is dry, the days are hot, and the tree is stoic.
I have no incense and it’s too dry for flames…
The ritual is peace
Day 60 of my tree puja.
New insights into the ritual are revealed to me. I develop an understanding of esoteric ideas in the yoga tradition associated with Hindu deities.
It’s like a mudra, an energy conductor. It is the energy of shelter, and protection, and compassion, which is also in the whole ritual…
Outside my bedroom window
Day 59 of my tree puja.
I suppose that feelings of acceptance and belonging go together.
Today I felt simple acceptance from the tree.
Offering and sacrifice open a pathway
Day 58 of my tree puja.
Important insights and realisations continue.
Suddenly I realised the sacrifice of life that is in the offering of a flower…
Everything is about energy
Day 57 of my tree puja.
Structure and energy and continuum are the themes at the moment.
…the energy of the ritual has somehow been captured, stabilised, and strengthened.
The tree responded
Day 56 of my tree puja
Sunrise is at 5:40am, so even if I’m late, it’s still early!
All those months last year I would not offer a flower. Then in India I spent ten days decorating a shrine with flowers, culminating in an amazing marigold extravaganza…
It is all a language
Day 55 of my tree puja.
I realise that the offerings made in the puja are more than symbols, or gifts. They are a language.
It is all a language, for me and for the tree. I will leave it to the tree now, to begin to listen again, when she wants to…