Regeneration Meditation

A Profound Tree

Walking in the forest I came across this tree. There was an energy about it that had captured my attention so I stopped and spent some time with it. As I took the circular path around the trunk I realized I was actually looking at the remnant stump of an extremely old redwood tree that appeared to have fallen and sprouted anew. But that wasn’t exactly right either; closer examination would reveal something more…a small and precious mystery unraveling before me.

An entirely new tree had taken root on top of the decaying stump, it stretched down the sides of the foundation of the old redwood in a loving embrace, the perfect example of the dance that is life and also death. Images of a seed falling from the sky entered my mind. I stared at this natural masterpiece for some time…with no words coming that could even begin to describe what I was feeling. I was intensely connected to the energy of life, ebbing and flowing in and out of form…its pulse like the heartbeat of time.

Comments

By M. D. Vaden on March 13th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

This is one reason I enjoy the coastal north CA, Oregon and Washington forests so much.

Some of my favorite spots have the trees growing from nurse logs or stumps.

My current project for gathering photos is a part of Jed Smith redwoods…

http://www.mdvaden.com/grove_of_titans.shtml

Soon, we will move to north Oregon again, and I’ll increase my visits to the north forests – with periodic visits to the redwoods each year.

By Paula Kawal on March 16th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Hi M.D.,

Feel free to use these photos on your site if you would like and if you are ever near Maple Valley I’d be happy to tell you where you can see this tree for yourself

Much love,

PK