Druid Blog

This was actually my first submission for the Nature Meditation for the Bard Coursework, but I thought I would post it for my first blog.

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I often retreat to the woods to meditate. It is during these times, that life seems the most sane, and most tranquil. It is at this point in my life when things make the most sense.

“Sit down, close your eyes, and breathe”. This is the mantra of my good friend, Dan Bell. I find this to be completely appropriate to the skill of quieting the mind and allowing thought to flow, coming and going without the slightest bit of hindrance.

Recently (the last couple of years, actually), I have been fascinated by the sounds that the leaves make as the wind blows through the trees.

While sitting on sunny days, the gentlest of winds disturbs the quaking aspen, and the high pitched clamor of her leaves brings a smile to my face. It is a reminder that even when obstacles in life kick up, that we have the ability to shake it off.

The wind then moves to the ash and elm. These leaves need a slightly stronger wind to make them rustle. But you can hear the wind move through their groves. The gust travels from one side to the other. You can hear it, and watch it in the movement of the branches. It looks like a huge hand is pushing the leaves and branches as the breath of wind passes.

Finally, Nature's breath moved to the oaks. Typically, these leaves are the last to be disturbed. You can hear the creaking of the larger branches as they are pushed and pulled by the actions of the wind. Swaying greatly, you can see their wisdom. Similar to the Aspen, the Oaks show us that even though you can be solidly rooted, adhering to a belief or ideal, you still have the ability to be moveable, to adapt your belief to new information.

But my favorite sound is when the wind blows through the trees is the whisper the pines make. Their needles create the most wondrous tone. It's a hushed voice that speaks not only to your ears, but directly to your spirit. The whistle speaks the ancient wisdom of the Earth. One that is eternal, old, and forever. The evergreen trees are the only ones that can do this, that can know this, for they never loose their leaves (or needles). It is here I sit most often, in a small stand of white pines, and listen to the words of the Mother. Simple words. Love, Listen, Appreciate, Honor. If you listen, you can hear them.