Nature certainly provides tools for us to awaken and to heal. Plants “give out” more than they take in. This very contemplation could give pause for reflection on the extent of our own consumerism. Plants can be viewed as our teachers.
Observing a plant’s life cycle teaches us valuable life lessons. The simple act of planting a seed and waiting for it to germinate teaches us patience. The strongest forces are often unseen, with much force beneath the surface (consider electricity or radio waves, for example). The cultivation of faith exists when no results are visible, yet unseen forces are building according to the predominant focus and in line with the desired outcome. Planting a seed teaches us perseverance in times when faith is all there is.
Nature provides a path back to harmonious connection: fellowship with our community and a link to our higher selves. Nature can be a refuge, restoring safety and trust. Consider it a neural network reset button for those who have experienced emotional trauma (PTSD) and are daily reliving pain, anxiety, and suffering. Like the healing capacities of a loving, furry, four-legged friend, nature provides the quiet calm so needed to reset a triggered nervous system. It shows us a solid path to realign in harmony with all our relations and create associations more in line with the flow of Mother Earth. Although somewhat humorous-sounding, even so-called “tree hugging” has now been validated by the scientific community. In the book Blinded by Science, Matthew Silverstone speaks of nature’s ability to facilitate an improved sense of wellbeing, or “relief by communing with trees.” First Nations’ philosophies have long revered trees as being a sacred part of community. They view trees as one of Mother Nature’s healers, able to absorb negative energy. Silverstone seconds this view by suggesting that the subtle vibration or vital life force of trees, deeply rooted with earth energy, facilitates the transformation of energy into one of peace-filled unity.
Plants have personalities. As with people, some plants are mild, gentle, and nourishing while others are strong, potent herbs that demand our respect for safe use. Through sacred ceremony, plant-spirit medicines are gifted with louder voices for more direct communication and reconnection with plant-realm relationships, facilitating emotional healing and well-being and reminding us that we are all connected. What we do to the earth, we do to ourselves. Learning to listen to the subtle teachings of plants involves listening more with our hearts and less with our ears in order to receive the gifts our green friends can offer.
We inherit the earth. How do we responsibly care for the gift we have been given?