The Tree In Me

Last updated on: October 21, 2011 at 7:16 pm by Women of Spirit and Faith

The Tree In Me 2011-10-21T19:16:56+00:00 Women of Spirit and Faith

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

By Jamia Wilson

http://www.jamiawilson.com/

In a moment of distress a few months ago, a wise woman confidant told me to find comfort in trees.

She told me about how her Buddhist practice led her to understand and celebrate arboreal power. When I explained that negative energies that were swirling around me lowered my frequency and my centeredness, she asked me to contemplate trees.

When my sage friend first mentioned it, I wondered how trees could be connected to stresses I dealt with in the workplace, the chaotic and sometimes drama-filled L-train commute, and the nagging fears I had about finances as a non-profit worker-bee and child of the student debt generation.

When I paused and reminded myself to turn off the cynical mixtape in my head and turn on active listening, I asked her to explain how my life was connected to trees. When she illuminated that a tree was still a tree no matter what happened to it, the spark went off in my mind.

My friend went on to illustrate the many scenarios the tree could endure that may change its leaves, its color, and even break some of its branches or trunk. After going through the seasons and the states that the tree would exist in, she asked me if the tree was still a tree or did the conditions around it change what it was at its very core and its simplest nature?

I hold the wisdom of this lesson close to my heart. I have shared it with a few friends who have faced adversity and hardships in the fast few weeks, reminding them that they were trees yesterday, trees today, and will be trees tomorrow no matter what maelstrom of pain might crash into their lives.

I learned this metaphor about trees a few weeks before political and environmental activist Wangari Maathai passed away. As soon as I heard of her transition from this life in late September, I thought about all of the trees she planted in her environmental conservation and women’s rights endeavors. I contemplated the many ways that we give life, plant seeds, or simply “be” – existing as strong, resilient, enduring, and soulful pillars of wisdom and history.

Now, whenever I face a new challenge, I imagine myself as a tree, rooted in earth, with many rings including etchings of all of my stories of sublime moments and points of suffering.

I face fear with the understanding that I am a tree no matter what elements confront me. God created me and nothing can change the core essence of who I am. I will remain a tree in the face of ferocious fire, air, or water. I am sturdy, strong, wise, and divinely feminine.

What is "the Divine Feminine"?

Previous Post

October 8, 2011

What is "the Divine Feminine"?

Next Post

October 21, 2011 My message of the Spirit: The Rise of the Sacred Feminine in the Divine

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 28-day meditation challenge A new world Alchemy: Occupy Your Sacred Self Ancestors and Spiritual Evolution Consciousness Ending violence against women Holiday season: quiet time or chaos? How has She blessed you in 2011? inter-being. Interfaith Invitation to blog: What does a world transformed by the Divine Feminine look like? Sounds like? Taste like? Smell like? Living the Divine Feminine Mother Work Mothers and mothering On Feminine Ground Owning Our Wisdom Parliament of Worlds Religions Personal rituals or practices that keep you in touch with the Divine Feminine Reclaiming the heart of our humanity Reflections on WSF retreat Sacred Love Stepping Stones on the Spiritual Path The next generation Tugging at your heart Uncategorized Videos: women of spirit and faith What are you longing for? What are you noticing? What are your dreams/intuitions telling you? What gets stirred up in you when you hear the words "War on Women"? What happens when women lead? What is "the Divine Feminine"? What is the Devine Fem calling you to do? What wants to Emerge? When we act as the Divine Feminine... Who inspires you? Why I am a... Women of Spirit and Faith

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015 May 2015 April 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz