Religious Zen

Nature is a wonderful mentor.

There are so many things in the natural world that can show us truths about life. It is a profound and yet simple thing. We don’t always need 12 step seminars on how to improve our well being, or 7 ways to x and x (I’m guilty of this!). One can simply step out of their artificial habitat and really experience the world. The earth in and of itself is the greatest teacher of all.

When I was much younger I lived out in the country. I remember as a youngster I would play in a large backyard with several trees in it. My favorite one was a crooked apple tree. It branched out in just the right pattern so that I could lay back in it and enjoy the chirping of the bird nest above my head. As a boy I enjoyed it naturally, but as I grew older I realized just how much a tree can teach a person.

1. Patience

A tree, quite obviously, is never in much of a hurry to go anywhere. From when it sprouts to when it ceases to be living, a tree tends to stay in one spot. Even if it is moved, it will never fuss. It doesn’t protest when toddlers and birds start climbing and nesting amongst its many branches. A tree is just a tree. Perfectly content with the water, soil, and sunlight.

Patience is indeed a virtue, and the tree excels at it. Often we are too quick to buy things when we get a paycheck, and it is all gone before we know it. Perhaps we rush into a relationship and it ends up failing long before it should have. Or maybe you end up working such long hours that you end up not really having a life, and are only serving to make someone else rich. STOP! Begin to take life slowly. Don’t rush to get anywhere. Life is meant to be lived very deliberately, not like a rat caught in a maze.

If you practice patience, you will find that you will have put more time into your life then you ever thought possible, and you will be all the more fulfilled for it.

2. Fairness

Whether it is the squirrel tip toeing across its branches, or the older lady gathering apples, a tree treats everybody equally. It gives shade to the poet, the philosopher, the muslim, the christian, the rich, the poor, and every other person, equally. It doesn’t withhold its fruit simply because it doesn’t like you.

Treat others fairly, and without judgment. Too often we are quick to attach labels to people, even if they deserve them. Practice being fair to everybody- even the proselytizers that show up to your door every now and then. Don’t get mad at someone who mistakenly cuts you off, everybody has their bads days- including you.

3. Self Control

The tree is the epitome of self control. Even in the face of people who do it harm- break off branches, carve their names in it- the tree does nothing. Of course, it is a tree! It is still its old patient self. The tree might branch out over time and begin to scrape up against a building, but it does not rush. It waits until the perfect time, or it decides not to do it at all.

Much a long the lines of patience, don’t be too quick to do something. If you are trying to lose weight, drink one less pop a week or eat out less. It is all about calculated, careful planning. Eventually all that careful planning will pay off.

4. Listening.

The tree always listens. You can tell it your life story, and it will still be glad to offer you its shade and fruit as well as any other comforts it may have to offer. It won’t judge you or talk back and not let you get a word in during the entire conversation. The tree may not understand or even perceive what you are saying- but at least it listens!

Practice being like the tree. Do you actually listen to what someone is saying, or do you simply wait to talk? Unfortunately, many millions of people wait to talk. They will nod a long with their, “Yes,” and “Hmmhm,” without really listening. So just listen! Respond to what a person is saying to acknowledge that you’ve understood and you care enough about what they have to say.

5. Unselfishness

Much like its fairness, the tree freely gives all it has for the purpose of others. It will gladly make the ultimate sacrifice if need be, and be cut down for the use of another. The fruit it releases is free for the taking. The shade it brings on hot summer days is for anyone willing to sit under it and enjoy the cool breeze beneath. The tree never asks for anything in return. Even a measly gift of water from the tree is received gladly.

Next time you see someone on the street in need of some extra money, why not give them some? Yes, they probably are going to spend it on something you wouldn’t, but why not decide to make a change for the better? Give some spare change in your pocket to the football team standing outside of a convenience store just trying to get money for uniforms. There are many, many opportunities in this world to give both your time and money. Choose wisely and make the most of it.

5. Cooperation

The tree may be unselfish, but it is not totally selfless. It will release its fruit so the animals will eat it, and in return seeds will be spread far and wide. For this same reason the squirrel takes up home on it, and lets it carry the seeds and bury them in the ground. It will let birds nest among its branches so that they will eat all the harmful insects that might be crawling on it. The tree is a perfect cooperator.

In the same way, be quick to cooperate with others. Learn to get a long easier with your coworkers and bosses. There are many people in this world with a haughty attitude. Choose not to be one of them. When you cooperate, you will receive things in return, just like the squirrel and the tree!

6. Foundation.

The tree sets up a firm foundation within the ground. It knows that if it doesn’t reach down firmly, it will fall over and be nothing. Instead, it reaches down as far and wide as it can with firm roots so that it can only be moved by the strongest of winds and man made machines.

In much the same way, we ought to be rooted in a firm foundation. What are you rooted in? It is different for many. For me, it is my spirituality, as well as my spouse and friends. Whatever you decide, dig down deep! Get firmly planted in what you are as a person, and you will enjoy long, prosperous growth and success.

Make like a tree, and split.

It is my hope that you can learn to trust nature as a guide. Learn from simple things, like a tree, as I have. You don’t have to be a new age hippy (no offense to new age hippies, of course!) to appreciate the lessons they teach. In fact, you don’t even have to read what I write. Anybody can take lessons out of the natural world. Go out and see the earth from a new perspective today.

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