Tree reverence

Not sure what the story of this is, an ancient relief from a stupa in India at the Met, but trees are important in early Buddhism. The Buddha got up from 6 weeks of intensive meditation that led to his enlightenment, and bowed to the tree.

I counted 11 new trees planted in my neighborhood, thank you NYC.

Michael Kenna - Spring Poplar Trees, Pavia, Italy (2019)

.......... 

When I Am Among the Trees

by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,

“and you too have come

into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled

with light, and to shine.