Dec. 18th, 2012
The sun shines on the snow-laden branches. Melting the snow gives rise to glistening streamlets of water pouring down from the canopy-sky.
Mushy puddles… I did not anticipate this much wetness! Stepping onto slippery rocks, I carefully climb the small hill that leads me to the Sacred Grove. All vines I encounter urge me toward Ancient Ma. As I walk past Loner, I see two animal trails – the one that leads to Ancient Ma, and another to the right that I have never seen before, going into the deeper forest at a different angle – something only revealed because the remaining snow frames the thin melted path through the low brush.
I pause for a moment, tempted by the new trail. But, my destination is Ancient Ma… Shaking my head to myself, I opt for my usual path.
Small mounds of wet snow splatter the ground, covering over this trail enough that I quickly lose my way. I continue to walk, knowing I am not far off my target. Stubby shrubs of Salaal, wet branch and leaf piles, spongy soggy beds of moss and lichen all make it difficult to walk easily. Finally, I stumble into a small opening where the sun is shining on several beautiful emanations of Ma. They tightly coil, not just twist, their way up their companion tree. I pay respects, then recognize where I am, and proceed to Ancient Ma who is close-by.
"Why are you here?" she asks.
"To learn more about what was revealed the other day," I reply. "Please help me to understand."
"Look around you. What is your place within us? Not apart from us. Within us. Feel your place." I look around, extend my awareness, and feel the roots of Ancient Ma, her companions, the nearby trees and other plants. They communicate – it is more than just mere chemical signals. There is heart to these beings and how they communicate. They feel and express.
Ancient Ma interrupts my thoughts. "You were brought to the other Ma's – why are you here? Go ask them, child."
I laugh at myself for willingly ignoring the other path, and for walking away from the Coiled Ones. I head back toward them.
Standing close, my hand reaches out to connect. At first, I trace the coils of the nearest with one of my fingers. The, I let my hand wrap around her vine – the bark of this one is smooth, her life-force strong and cool. There are perhaps six who coil and twine with one another, each a different age.
"What are you afraid of?" she asks.
And then she did not await my answer.
"You must live as One Earth. This is the message of these teachings. What are you afraid of?"
"How will I share this without sounding crazy? How can I honour what has been revealed and bring these teachings forward in a way that people can digest?"
"That is your job as a teacher. Eradicate fear from your heart. All of you must eradicate fear from your hearts for these teachings to emerge. Clear your heart.
Why are you afraid to share these teachings? Why are you afraid? Is it any less valid that your teacher is a plant? Is it strange we have a voice? Why wouldn't we?
Share the teachings. Stand in them. See what unfolds."
The sun shines on the snow-laden branches. Melting the snow gives rise to glistening streamlets of water pouring down from the canopy-sky.
Mushy puddles… I did not anticipate this much wetness! Stepping onto slippery rocks, I carefully climb the small hill that leads me to the Sacred Grove. All vines I encounter urge me toward Ancient Ma. As I walk past Loner, I see two animal trails – the one that leads to Ancient Ma, and another to the right that I have never seen before, going into the deeper forest at a different angle – something only revealed because the remaining snow frames the thin melted path through the low brush.
I pause for a moment, tempted by the new trail. But, my destination is Ancient Ma… Shaking my head to myself, I opt for my usual path.
Small mounds of wet snow splatter the ground, covering over this trail enough that I quickly lose my way. I continue to walk, knowing I am not far off my target. Stubby shrubs of Salaal, wet branch and leaf piles, spongy soggy beds of moss and lichen all make it difficult to walk easily. Finally, I stumble into a small opening where the sun is shining on several beautiful emanations of Ma. They tightly coil, not just twist, their way up their companion tree. I pay respects, then recognize where I am, and proceed to Ancient Ma who is close-by.
"Why are you here?" she asks.
"To learn more about what was revealed the other day," I reply. "Please help me to understand."
"Look around you. What is your place within us? Not apart from us. Within us. Feel your place." I look around, extend my awareness, and feel the roots of Ancient Ma, her companions, the nearby trees and other plants. They communicate – it is more than just mere chemical signals. There is heart to these beings and how they communicate. They feel and express.
Ancient Ma interrupts my thoughts. "You were brought to the other Ma's – why are you here? Go ask them, child."
I laugh at myself for willingly ignoring the other path, and for walking away from the Coiled Ones. I head back toward them.
Standing close, my hand reaches out to connect. At first, I trace the coils of the nearest with one of my fingers. The, I let my hand wrap around her vine – the bark of this one is smooth, her life-force strong and cool. There are perhaps six who coil and twine with one another, each a different age.
"What are you afraid of?" she asks.
And then she did not await my answer.
"You must live as One Earth. This is the message of these teachings. What are you afraid of?"
"How will I share this without sounding crazy? How can I honour what has been revealed and bring these teachings forward in a way that people can digest?"
"That is your job as a teacher. Eradicate fear from your heart. All of you must eradicate fear from your hearts for these teachings to emerge. Clear your heart.
Why are you afraid to share these teachings? Why are you afraid? Is it any less valid that your teacher is a plant? Is it strange we have a voice? Why wouldn't we?
Share the teachings. Stand in them. See what unfolds."
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