"Blessing Trees"
Woods
by Wendell Berry
"I part the out thrusting branches
and come in beneath
the blessed and the blessing trees.
Though I am silent
there is singing around me.
Though I am dark
there is vision around me.
Though I am heavy
there is flight around me."
From Collected Poems, 1957-1982. North Point Press, New York (1985).
Woods poem found at www.spiritoftrees.org/poetry/tree_poems.html
“Every forest branch moves differently in the breeze but as they sway they connect at the roots.”—Jelaluddin Rumi from “Birdsong” and “The Essential Rumi”
"Look at the beauty and perfection of nature. Everything in nature is so joyful, even though it doesn't have the intelligence of a human being. All of creation is rejoicing. The most beautiful flowers are picked by people —torn by their stems. Some are made into garlands while others are trampled heedlessly. A flower has such a short life span, and yet it offers itself wholeheartedly to others; it even offers its own nectar to the bees —and yet it is happy. The stars are twinkling in the sky, the rivers are flowing blissfully, the branches of the trees are dancing in the wind, and the birds are bursting into song. You should ask yourself, 'Why, then, do I feel so miserable living in the midst of all this joyful celebration?'
"Ask the question, 'why,' repeatedly, and you will find the answer. The answer is that the flowers, stars, rivers, trees and birds do not have an ego; and, being egoless, nothing can hurt them. When you are egoless, you can only rejoice. Even occasions that would normally be painful are transformed into moments of joy."--Amma
"Blessing Trees"
Woods
by Wendell Berry
"I part the out thrusting branches
and come in beneath
the blessed and the blessing trees.
Though I am silent
there is singing around me.
Though I am dark
there is vision around me.
Though I am heavy
there is flight around me."
From Collected Poems, 1957-1982. North Point Press, New York (1985).
Woods poem found at www.spiritoftrees.org/poetry/tree_poems.html
“Every forest branch moves differently in the breeze but as they sway they connect at the roots.”—Jelaluddin Rumi from “Birdsong” and “The Essential Rumi”
"Look at the beauty and perfection of nature. Everything in nature is so joyful, even though it doesn't have the intelligence of a human being. All of creation is rejoicing. The most beautiful flowers are picked by people —torn by their stems. Some are made into garlands while others are trampled heedlessly. A flower has such a short life span, and yet it offers itself wholeheartedly to others; it even offers its own nectar to the bees —and yet it is happy. The stars are twinkling in the sky, the rivers are flowing blissfully, the branches of the trees are dancing in the wind, and the birds are bursting into song. You should ask yourself, 'Why, then, do I feel so miserable living in the midst of all this joyful celebration?'
"Ask the question, 'why,' repeatedly, and you will find the answer. The answer is that the flowers, stars, rivers, trees and birds do not have an ego; and, being egoless, nothing can hurt them. When you are egoless, you can only rejoice. Even occasions that would normally be painful are transformed into moments of joy."--Amma