Across all cultures, trees have long been associated with knowledge. The Buddha meditated under a tree, and sought wisdom from it. In India, Saddhus retreat to the forests for wisdom. The English language recognizes an association between wisdom and trees: an idea ‘takes root’; a book has ‘leaves’; an avid reader is a ‘bookworm’; you ‘branch out’ into a new area of study.
Trees are also associated with the spiritual and healing world. According to Maori cosmology, all trees come from the spiritual world as gifts. Taoist master Mantak Chia teaches that trees are natural processors that can help you transform your body’s negative energy into positive, vital life force energy. The theory is that because trees stand very still, they are better at absorbing the Earth’s Energy and Universal Force. And for indigenous people most everywhere, nature is related to enlargement of your mind and your sense of kin.
There is no doubt that by coming in contact with trees, we can pick up on their vibrations (everything in nature vibrates) and feel more grounded. In fact there is evidence showing the vibrational properties of trees and plants offer health benefits, including for depression, concentration, stress, and headaches.
So go ahead, reclaim your natural born identity as a tree-hugger.
And make EVERY DAY Earth Day!