Twisted Growth

I saw this tree on my walk a few days ago and thought about our growth as human beings.  The trunk of this tree seemed so twisted over so many years, yet appeared so beautiful in it's vast glory.  As the trunk seemed twisted, I realized the trunk still appeared straight; as though life had over several decades, taken the water out of a towel, or taken the learning out of the learned.  How do we empty our minds?  This trunk seemed to visualize the mind emptying over so many decades.  In the process of emptying, the trunk became hardened and the trunk appeared so strong and firm, able to hold the resulting massive branches and canopy that the tree carried.  This tree, as an adult over time, provided so much shade to the earth around her.

Imagine the years of growth and the shade that this tree provided(s).  The tree had such beautiful branches and leaves, with no sign of discontent.  The massive growth that occured from the trunk and the vast amount of shade that the branches provide is beautiful.  How do we provide shade and comfort to others?  How do we become lighthouses and beacons of hope for others?  How do we become so still, so firmly rooted in ourselves, that we become solid as a rock, even as our growth is twisted and hardened by years of life?

In this picture, we still are unable to truly see the vast and infinite nature of this live oak tree.  Here we can see a view of the whole tree, but do we really see it?

Here's a more comprehensive view of this tree.  You see the tree end-to-end, but do you really see the tree?  No, you only see what your mind perceives.  Your limited, small mind, only sees what is above the earth.  Do you see that this tree nourishes and takes care of so many other trees around it?  Underground?  Do you see the vast network of nodes and life underneath the earth?  Do you see the nurturing and development of other life deep under the surface of the earth?  The beauty and magic of the infinite is unseen, and cannot be fathomed or comprehended by our small minds...I can't even imagine what is really happening in concsiousness, but I imagine that this consciousness is molding life to improve, to serve, to be of selfless service to others.





I leave this space here to represent what's unseen...the truth, I believe, is far beyond comprehension...

In Love and Service,

Jai Guru Deva.

An Aspiring Yogi.