I went also at dusk today
Day 84 of my tree puja.
For the first time, I practice twice in a day, at dawn and dusk. The experience is quite different.
I felt how her energy, and all the movement of nature was downward. The energy is moving down into the earth…
The purpose of ritual
Day 80 of my tree puja.
Realisations about ritual, about worship, about surrendering to the experience, continue. This is a state of clarity.
The regularity of ritual brings reassurance if nothing else…
I felt our secrecy, our privacy
Day 79 of my tree puja.
The puja creates a sacred space.
I was a bit late. The day was moving into rajas, action…
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...
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…
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…
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…
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.
Sit Quietly and Listen
Day 40 of my tree puja. The surging energy engulfs me, welcoming me into its organic totality of self.
Birds are singing and racketing all around. Lapwings call to one another, while smaller songbirds trill away in the background. I imagine the vibrations we sit amongst, the tree and me.
In the Deathliness of Space
Day 39 of my tree puja. With her spring blossom comes a fresh, enlivened energy and magic. My relationship with the ritual and the tree shifts into a deeper, more subtle and intimate place.
...bunches of petals have emerged from wood, a common miracle. She surrounds me. I squat, eyes closed, hands joined in prayer; I think towards her.
Remember the Purpose of the Flower
Day 36 of my tree puja. Still raining and cold, but the tree is awakening.
She is busy with pregnancy and production. All efforts are in that direction, with serenity and perfection of purpose. Remember the purpose of the flower...
Some aspect of me has merged with the tree.
Day 30 of my tree puja. I realise that the ritual has become part of me.
Something pulls me now to do the ritual and I don’t resist.