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2009
November 2009 
Trees and climate change - a deeply personal tale
Posted on Oct 14th, 2009
by 
Meenakshi
Meenakshi
When I think of the confusion surrounding the where's whyfore's what's and even whether's of climate change, I take refuge under the beautiful trees that have been friends, companions, heroes and joys of my life.
These are a few of my favorite trees.
The acacia I detour to pass by, to feast on its explosion of color
Reflected in the silk floss tree with its thorny bark that attracts hummingbirds
Next to royal poincianas- the gul mohur - that blaze orange at the point where three roads meet
And the solid oak trees whose branches support children on swings
I know the paths in my life as defined by the trees that grace them
What will happen to the trees as earth's climate changes?
I think of the events of my life as reflected in the trees that I have loved
The ancient gingko in a round-about in Paris where I walked with friends one day.
The fragrant blossoming harsinghar, which I found in America after searching for three years.
The banyan in Madras that shaded us as we attended talks by J Krishnamurti, or listened to the Dalai Lama. It had a majesty, as it spread freely, whose memory sustained me when I looked, shocked, at the ones uprooted by hurricanes in Miami.
A fig tree we call peepal has suddenly appeared on the roof in Miami, a blessing sent by Buddha through the birds. Will it grow as ancient as the bodhi tree under which Gautama became the Buddha? Or even as large as the one I knew in childhood? I saw my first large snake there. Will the air around it be as pure, the water it soaks, as plentiful, the nutrients in the soil, as rich? I cannot find space to grow it in, and it makes me wonder. Perhaps it's time to move away from cities, to spaces where trees can grow freely. Where banyans do not need to be cut to fit into the parameters of road and power cables, leaving them helpless under the onslaught of hurricanes.
I think of the petrified forests that appear to be closer to stone than organic matter; diamonds made of deeply compressed organic matter. the trees that sprouted thousands of years ago. They adapted to tremendous changes - why won't we?
What will happen to the trees that still line the paths where my loved one and I wandered?
The ones that I was searching for, and helped us find this house that has become a home in a faraway land?
The aam, lychee, amrood, anaar, chikoo fruit trees that show us the changing seasons even in tropical climates?
What do they portend about how we will react to the coming climate change?
Trees seems so stable; so able to withstand the myriad changes the world has gone through. Will they be able to withstand the predicted climate change?
Our earth is not something that is out there. Its state is woven into our memories and our present. Our visions of the future are interlaced with the visions of what happens to everything on earth. What are we doing to help it to be radiant?
Perhaps the tree might help. The cosmic tree that reveals the inter-relationship of all on earth;
The metaphor of the tree that helps us ground, expand, center, clear, nourish, nurture, breathe.
The story of the brave little tree that bent in the storm to spring back when it was calm.
A little voice tells me - climate change isn't out there. It's in here. It's not only about external climate, but also about internal climate. It's about how we use our emotions to influence our actions, what we choose to care for, how we apply the collective wisdom that we have gained. Do we need to worry about climate change? Assign blame? Get angry? I think what we need to do, is to be deeply grounded into our earth, sense her feelings. Expand into the atmosphere, and sense its moods. Keep clear the toxins within our personal and earth body, and make each moment one in which we are mindful of earth as Gaia - all sentient and insentient beings on this planet.
If today seems dark, remember: when the seed first begins to grow, it is in darkness. Slowly but surely, it makes its way towards light.
Earth already survived climate change ..why can't we?
As my memories propel me onward, I am inspired by Eli who came from the sacred mountains:
These are a few of my favorite trees.
The acacia I detour to pass by, to feast on its explosion of color
Reflected in the silk floss tree with its thorny bark that attracts hummingbirds
Silk Floss Tree http://is.gd/4kiNh
Next to royal poincianas- the gul mohur - that blaze orange at the point where three roads meet
Gul Mohur / Royal Poinciana http://is.gd/4kirO
And the solid oak trees whose branches support children on swings
I know the paths in my life as defined by the trees that grace them
What will happen to the trees as earth's climate changes?
I think of the events of my life as reflected in the trees that I have loved
The ancient gingko in a round-about in Paris where I walked with friends one day.
Gingko http://is.gd/4khNX
The fragrant blossoming harsinghar, which I found in America after searching for three years.
Harsinghar / Parijat http://is.gd/4r5ft
The banyan in Madras that shaded us as we attended talks by J Krishnamurti, or listened to the Dalai Lama. It had a majesty, as it spread freely, whose memory sustained me when I looked, shocked, at the ones uprooted by hurricanes in Miami.
Banyan Tree Madras http://is.gd/4khWk
A fig tree we call peepal has suddenly appeared on the roof in Miami, a blessing sent by Buddha through the birds. Will it grow as ancient as the bodhi tree under which Gautama became the Buddha? Or even as large as the one I knew in childhood? I saw my first large snake there. Will the air around it be as pure, the water it soaks, as plentiful, the nutrients in the soil, as rich? I cannot find space to grow it in, and it makes me wonder. Perhaps it's time to move away from cities, to spaces where trees can grow freely. Where banyans do not need to be cut to fit into the parameters of road and power cables, leaving them helpless under the onslaught of hurricanes.
Peepal /Bodhi tree http://is.gd/4kil9
An article tells me that Trees Are Not The Answer To Climate Change
I think of the petrified forests that appear to be closer to stone than organic matter; diamonds made of deeply compressed organic matter. the trees that sprouted thousands of years ago. They adapted to tremendous changes - why won't we?
Petrified wood http://is.gd/4r5ox
What will happen to the trees that still line the paths where my loved one and I wandered?
The ones that I was searching for, and helped us find this house that has become a home in a faraway land?
The aam, lychee, amrood, anaar, chikoo fruit trees that show us the changing seasons even in tropical climates?
What do they portend about how we will react to the coming climate change?
Trees seems so stable; so able to withstand the myriad changes the world has gone through. Will they be able to withstand the predicted climate change?
Our earth is not something that is out there. Its state is woven into our memories and our present. Our visions of the future are interlaced with the visions of what happens to everything on earth. What are we doing to help it to be radiant?
Perhaps the tree might help. The cosmic tree that reveals the inter-relationship of all on earth;
The metaphor of the tree that helps us ground, expand, center, clear, nourish, nurture, breathe.
The story of the brave little tree that bent in the storm to spring back when it was calm.
A little voice tells me - climate change isn't out there. It's in here. It's not only about external climate, but also about internal climate. It's about how we use our emotions to influence our actions, what we choose to care for, how we apply the collective wisdom that we have gained. Do we need to worry about climate change? Assign blame? Get angry? I think what we need to do, is to be deeply grounded into our earth, sense her feelings. Expand into the atmosphere, and sense its moods. Keep clear the toxins within our personal and earth body, and make each moment one in which we are mindful of earth as Gaia - all sentient and insentient beings on this planet.
The Gaia Minute
If today seems dark, remember: when the seed first begins to grow, it is in darkness. Slowly but surely, it makes its way towards light.
Earth already survived climate change ..why can't we?
http://is.gd/4kdEd
As my memories propel me onward, I am inspired by Eli who came from the sacred mountains:
"Pray, pray, pray....Gaia is calling you."
-----------------------------
Written in response to Blog Action Day 2009 on Climate Change
-----------------------------
Written in response to Blog Action Day 2009 on Climate Change
Access: PublicTagged with: trees, climate change, blog action day, 2009, gaia minute, 909, peepal, internal climate, BAD
Thank you for this beautiful gift, Meenakshi.
Meanakshi,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful love and memories of trees! Great blog… I love this: ”climate change isn't out there. It's in here. It's not only about external climate, but also about internal climate. It's about how we use our emotions to influence our actions, what we choose to care for, how we apply the collective wisdom that we have gained.”
Thank you so much dear friends for leaving your light footprints. Laurie, I know you are a tree friend and I loved to read about the music you hear from trees. I can hear it now!
Jeff, what photographs you take. The calendar you have produced is wonderful.
Thank you, Meenakshi,for sharing your memories of and insights and links about trees and their energy and wonder. I've never been to California, but after watching a National Geographic program about the research they're starting to do up in the redwood tree canopy I have a growing desire to go and see these towering gentle giants for myself! One thing that amazed me was to learn that trees work hard against gravity to pump water up to their crowns. But now they know that redwoods depend on the fog that rolls in from the Pacific Ocean every morning for more than 30 percent of their water needs! The next morning when I was out driving we happened to have some fog here and I looked at it with a new sense of awe.
Barbara! We were seeing the same program on the redwoods, I think. I just saw a documentary in which they showed the mists helping the trees.
I have to say that seeing the redwoods was like going to heaven; like something that didn't even dare to be a dream, come true!
Meenakshi,
Oh, yes, thank you for sharing your beautiful trees with us today. I love the one with the purple flowers ! ! ! Purple is my color.
Oh, such beautiful questions - “Will it grow as ancient …? Or even as large … ? … Will the air around it be as pure, the water it soaks, as plentiful, the nutrients in the soil, as rich? “ Such beautiful questions. Things are actually “cleaner” - the water and the air - than when I first became aware of pollution as an issue in the 1970s.
There is hope, hope in my own heart, that the answers to all these beautiful questions of yours will be a gentle, “of course”. It is all good and the Earth Mother Gaia continues to provide all that the trees need and I see humans having done their part to keep the best she offers, and learning to avoid spoiling it like children who haven't learned the power of their actions or that they should pick up their toys.
From the hugger of trees
to the hugger of trees -
in Oneness - yes !
Deb
Deb, the walker in the woods, to hear you say what you have above, makes my heart sing. I am filled with that gentle 'of course' as the Mother speaks through your gentle voice that I've now heard on the GAia Minute calls!
Thank you so much.
Meenakshi, that sounds like it was such a deeply mystical experience… So many wonders!
I enjoyed this blog so much Meenakshi…thanks for sharing ( :
I'm feeling so happy to see you here, Barbara; and Dawn! Lovely new name. That lovely icon is so memorable; cropped though, right?
I love this for Blog Action Day… What an amazing lesson for all to read over and over. It shifted and aligned parts of my viewpoints I used to have. Namaste
I can't imagine a more delightful, touching, and profoundly meaningful essay on the topic, Meenakshi. This was a real “trip” for me.
I never realized it, but my life is defined by my special trees as well. What a gift, that realization.
All I can say is yes thank you yes thank you, for all these thoughts, musings, and insights, and all those who commented, too.
Blessings, OM Bastet
Kathy, such a delight to see you here; and OM, one day I hope you'll blog about your trees.
Laughing out loud. I'm afraid there are about 40 pending blog entries ahead of that topic, in line. Sigh.
Love, OM
The joy of blogging is not to plan too much; just go with it! Sometimes a short blog is enough –gentle nudge there, OM. To grow as a tree grows; in increments.
Well, I AM capable of short blogs, hahaha, but when I go public with what I am devoting my time to these days, you'll see why I'm going to let your nudge pass right through me. It would be great to write on that subject, but even greater things are occupying me.
Love, OM
Ah, sounds absolutely worth-waiting-for-ish, OM!
Really outstanding Meenakshi…
especially when I figured out how to display those images in their full resolution.
Thank you Lars. I tried not to make them too large as I run across problems when they are [see how petrified wood has disappeared?]
Meenakshi, what a wonderful blog! I really enjoyed every part of it. The pictures, your questions, your insights. I love trees too and I wish there were more ancient ones in the part where I live.
Your paragrapgh about the little voice telling you about climate change being in here reminds me of a true story I read about long time ago. I'd like to share it with you here because I think it really illustrates the deep wisdom of that (great!) little voice.
There was a guy here, it must have been in the 70ties or 80ties or so (I forgat) who was very involved with the movement about getting cleaner air and the whole issues about acid rain etc. He wanted to raise a public awareness about this and he traveled for years through Europe, taking pictures of woods and trees that were dying. He was very passionate about it and he really wanted to stop this and somehow be of help in turning it around.
However, what happened was that after thousands of saddening pics and seeing many woods whither he got very ill as well as depressed and couldn't do the work anymore.
However during his illness he went through some kind of transformation as well and he also had this (great) little voice.
What it turned out to was that he started to take pictures of trees and nature resorts that were still healthy and beautiful. It not only helped him heal but his pictures became known and he was asked by some hospitals to take pics for them because it was thought that it added to a healing and positive environment when the patients were surrounded by the beautiful pictures.
I always remembered this story, it made a deep impact on me, I love it because it shows us so much. We still can be alert on the possible dangers of climate change but we can perceive it with different eyes and deal with it in different ways.
And I think that is true for so many things in our lives.
Thank you for this delightful blog.
Oh Alluvja, I got a [lovely] chill and a ringing in my spine [strange, yes?] when I read your comment. yes, that is the message I get as well. It is our delight and our happiness in all things wonderful that allow us to do whatever we can to help them to be sustained.
It is light that allows us to stay detached from the outcome knowing that we are to be responsible but are not creators – co-creators with nature and God –of all that is and is to be. It is not a punishment if human beings are wiped off earth; if they are, it will be because that was for the highest good of all concerned. This kind of feeling helps me; rather than too much doom-saying and feeling that everything is in our hands.
Next to trees, it is children who teach me that we are there for their service; for gentle guidance - a little water, a little pruning perhaps, some support if required; but really –we are there to allow them to grow.
Allow. A more active role than Doing.
Thank you for allowing me to share thoughts that I often feel are not easy to do. You provided a fertile soil for them to sprout.
Blessings to you, Meenakshi, for this truly resonate message. It evokes the natural states that are so very crucial to the health and balance of our environment, of our planet. As she has supported and nurtured us so too should we return this same attitude and mindset many times over. I have found great solace, healing, insights and love through the various trees and other brethren that live within them, under them and atop them. I have had my own special places, including a lovely small dryad grove, where a fertile heart and mind are always welcome. Thank you again for this very touching message. In Light, In Love, Shay ~ Grey Wolf
Grey Wolf, I am so warmed by your words.Thank you for sharing words from the heart.
I looked up dryad, and see that they are tree nymphs. I have to confess not knowing what a dryad grove may be, and it is intriguing enough for me to ask you to explain.
My apologies for not having an opportunity to get back to you before now, Meenakshi. I will gladly explain what the dryad grove here is. I consider them a very sacred and blessed environment that encompasses so much more than what is seen with the nake eyes. This particular one has been ringed with 5 trees very, very close together in a concentric circle. There had been a 6th tree but it had been cut yet it created a form of a natural “step” into it. Miniature mushrooms would litter the interior and was careful to step in and sit back to enjoy the peace, tranquility and healing which I was gifted. Time did stand still within for what felt like a mere 10 to 20 minutes, tops, turned out to actually be somewhere inbetween 2 to 3 hours.
Regretfully some individuals who bought the land have been tearing up the trees and property and damaged the grove. Thankfully I discovered that, to everyone's surprise, there are some bald eagles nesting on the property. While they typically nest in ranges, mountains, etc they have a nest in the trees here. Which means they are not able to develop the land and the faerie energies within them have also given much hindrance for further work.
I wish to sit with the grove and work with the land to either see it restored or for the dryad to create a new one within the woods. If you wish to be kept updated on all of this I gladly will. :)
Thank you for explaining moshayra; and thanking the bald eagles who are protecting the dryad grove. Do keep me updated; thank you.