Tree Meditations : Branches and Leaves
Imagine you are walking on a sunny day along a lane. This rises gently up a hillside. The banks of the path are hedged with hawthorns, with twisted aged trunks and white flowering branches.
Ahead, on the hill’s crest, you can see a grove of beech trees, crow’s nests in the top branches, dark yew and evergreens amongst the columns of tree trunks. Strolling, you enjoy the unfolding view to the trees and across the surrounding countryside.
Now, approaching the top of the path you are at a metal gate. With a gentle push you swing it open and step onto grassland, walking westwards across the expanding hill, over ditches and hillocks. Now the path leads southwards, still climbing pastureland, sheep casually grazing close by.
The ground rises steeply and you are suddenly standing at the top of the climb with a clear view to all the surrounding countryside and distant horizon. Nearby a large rounded mound attracts your attention and you feel drawn to walk around it. On the hidden side you find an entrance way. Two tall stones, with artwork on them, support a heavy wedge shaped stone. Between is an earthen passageway. You step into the corridor and find it is lit by bright white quartz crystal walls. Parts appear as clear as glass.
The route winds downwards, turning to the right. Gradually the crystal walls darken to soil colour, and yet they continue to glow and light your route. You notice twisting roots in the earthen walls. You continue the descent.
Now you come to an archway. Hanging from the centre is an oil lamp, the flame burning brightly welcoming you. You step through the archway. You are within a cave made of solid rock which shines with hundreds of stars.
In the centre of the cave is a shaft formed of water. It looks so refreshing that you step towards it and sense the spray touch and cleanse you face. Now you put a hand into the upsurge. It tingles and feels good. You walk into the shaft of water and feel tenderly lifted off your feet and lightly raised upwards. It is like being in a shower in reverse, the water from beneath instead of above.
You are carried upwards into what seems to be the middle of a bush. A wide strong log to one side provides a stepping stone and you walk out into what you realise are the top branches of a huge tree. One branch offers a comfortable seat and you settle to enjoy the sunshine and life in the leafy throng at the top of the tree.
…
When you are ready you return by jumping off the branch, for it is only a few feet off the ground, and land safely onto the top of the large rounded mound. The sides are gentle and you walk down them, back over the grassy pasture, through the metal gate and off the hillside.
Page last updated: 26th Feb 2009
