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Week 17 – Noticing Trees

22nd April 2012|Environment, Weekly Practices2
Home » Mindfulness Blog » Environment » Week 17 – Noticing Trees

We tend to take their existence for granted and see them merely as a decorative part of the wallpaper of our lives, however trees are indispensable to our continued existence as a species. Be aware that what trees breathe out, we breathe in. Their very presence oxygenates our world and enables humanity to exist. It is said that a mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year.

Instructions

During this week become aware of the trees around you. There are many aspects you can attend to : e.g. the different shapes of trees, their various heights, ways of branching, colours and types of foliage. Don’t let the mind begin to analyse or evaluate (I like that tree, don’t like that one…) but just notice and appreciate trees as trees.

If you have a chance try to walk among them in a forest, wood, park or tree lined street. Examine the leaves and bark closely. Trees are the living testimony to our interconnectedness with all things in this world.

Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.”

Henry David Thoreau

These practices are adapted from How to Train a Wild Elephant & Other Adventures in Mindfulness by Jan Chozen Bays. You can find out more, read my review of and purchase this book from my Mindfulness Library (page 2)

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Image courtesy of John-Morgan

23rd April 2012 James Darby

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2 Responses to Week 17 – Noticing Trees

  • Sarah 29th April 2012

    What a timely and enjoyable practice that was! It’s almost impossible NOT to notice trees here in the West Country at the moment…the magnolias are still blooming – just, fruit blossom is blossoming, horse chestnut candles are budding, willows are weeping…and everything is gloriously lush and verdant thanks to this rain!

    Reply
    • James Darby 30th April 2012

      Nature……one of the greatest bridges to the present moment and antidotes to the grasping of I, me, mine.

      Reply

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