try talking to a tree

If you have never done this before, you will almost certainly feel a little nervous, a little weird. You will be anxious that nobody sees you or hears you. You'll think that you have possibly gone mad – talking to a tree. Still, try it.

Find a tree. One that you like the look of, perhaps old and wise. Go rest your hands upon its trunk. If you like, rest your forehead against its trunk as well. Allow your mind to become calm. And then try it: try talking to the tree. You can either talk out loud, or if you prefer, just talk silently: thinking but with the intention of communicating with the tree.

You might like to ask the tree a question and see if any answer comes. Or you may just like to share with the tree your feelings in the moment. If you are feeling embarrassed, why not talk to the tree about that. If you are feeling a little stupid, crazy, talk to the tree about that.

This communication with trees is a beautiful meditation, and a very therapeutic one. Trees have a wisdom that we cannot fathom. It is as if they are so at peace with the world that they have no need to move hither and thither; that they can put down deep roots and be content with whatever life brings to them.

If you practice this technique a few times, talking with trees this way, you can try bringing your problems to the trees, and asking for advice. The trees can help with any of our problems, if we allow them to. Just speak to the tree of your problem. Ask it what you should do about your particular issue. And see what comes back. Of course, no microphone will be able to record a response from the tree. But you may be surprised by thoughts entering your head that you never would have expected.

Our consciousness is a mystery. And where thoughts come from, nobody knows. So try talking to a tree. And see if the tree talks to you.