Sacred Listening

Introduction Have you ever thought about how trees are planted deeply in the earth that nourishes their entire being? How they are centered in still calmness at their roots and naturally surrender their life to each season? As my mind soaked in these wonderings, it occurred to me that the strength of the deeply grounded roots enable the branches to be flexible to sway and move with the wind and let go of the attire of each season that opens to the next. Indeed, the tree transforms its outer form from lush shading green to reds, yellows, crispy browns, to naked emptiness and birthing buds and blossoms. While the tree gracefully robes and disrobes its outer garments, the roots remain strongly planted in the earthy soil. Could it be that for each of us, trust is like the earthy soil for the tree? Is it possible that trust is the essential and necessary element for living life in all its various expressions and forms? Are we able to be fully alive, authentic and free if we are not deeply grounded in the soil of trust? As I continued to contemplate these questions it occurred to me that where we plant our trust will determine the fruit of the tree. Is it possible to be deeply rooted in the soil of people, places and things that live outside of our self? Can we ever fill the empty longings that live within each of us in the soil of success, accomplishments, riches, power, or control? Could it be that trying to plant ourselves in the outer manifestations of the world only serves to deplete our soil from its nutrients that already live within our being? Is it possible the spiritual journey is the soil to plant our trust in? Could it be as we seek the truth we discover true love and freedom are born as we let go into full surrender? Is it possible that opening to our spiritual reality connects us to the only soil that can plant us deeply and allow our limbs to bend and sway in the experience of each moment? Would you like to be open, free, clinging to nothing, trusting that each season of your living invites you to bend and sway with the wind? Would you like to plant your tree in soil that is always rich in wisdom, understanding and compassion? This chapter invites you to open your heart and mind to discover where your trust is grounded. The exercises are designed to connect you to the spiritual soil which contains all the nutrients to become the unique wondrous tree you were created to be. Personal Reflection As I gaze backwards on my living I notice that I was living in a beautiful forest filled with oaks, weeping willows, birches, and pines. I spent many joyous hours with each one wishing I could be them; wanting to be every tree but the one I was designed to be. I tried to find my nourishing soil and plant my roots in all the trees I met. I would change my outer appearance from moment to moment hoping to find one that could fill my empty longings for deep roots, rich soil and flowing limbs. I kept trying to get my oxygen in the other’s soil not understanding I needed to plant roots of my own. I had to learn to stop hiding from myself, stop running from the truth and stand still long enough to discover the tree I was created to be. It was time to be silent and listen to the life living inside me. I yearned to awaken the calm still center of my being. I yearned to be deeply rooted so I could endure each season of my living strong and sure in my center. I longed to be whole, flowing and flexible in each precious moment. Experience has taught me the only soil that can nourish these longings and yearnings is the divine creator that lives and breaths and has its being in my center, your center, our center. I understand all my suffering has been a result of being attached to people, places and things that do not have the power to nurture and complete me. I have come to believe that God puts these longings in our heart to bring us each back home to our true selves; spiritual beings created in love to love. With my roots centered in the rich soil of trust my heart has been opened to the beautiful fruits of each season. Indeed, I have discovered the tree that I am; a weeping willow perched on the edge of the sea; longing, waiting, and trusting all is in the order it is meant to be.