Cycle of
Life
My
good friend, Beth Baker, was out on a little nature walk the other
day, capturing some wonderful snapshots of her local area. Florida
has always been an amazing place to observe the clash between nature
and modern civilization. The two encroach upon each other in an
amazing way and always leave you with just a little better
understanding and reminder of what we're doing to our planet.
Looking
over the beautiful pictures she posted, one particular capture spoke
with such emotion, I was compelled to share a bit of my feelings on
it with Beth. There is so much story in that photo...just from what
I see....and I'm sure others would find lessons I have missed. Beth
and I discussed the photo and she asked me to write my feelings and
what I saw, then share it with others. Not sure exactly how would be
the best way to share, I decided to do this blog entry, share the
thoughts and emotions the picture evoked from me and give readers an
opportunity to share their comments, as well.
The
image of this old, fallen tree...gray, decaying and dead....at first
glance. The surface is marked with cracks and almost every texture
one could imagine. Some spots rotting decayed, leaving deep pits
into the surface, while other areas almost give an appearance of dry
streams and rivers.
Perhaps
I was living in one of those, “Zen moments,” right then, but that
image spoke of a rich life which had been lived, not just by a tree,
but of all living creatures, including us. The patchwork tapestry of
design and scars in the surface told the story of a life, long ago.
It told of droughts, injuries, floods....literally everything that
tree had seen and known in a lifetime. Not all damage was
superficial.....but appear deep into the grain of the heartwood.
Looking
at the fallen tree, rather than a piece of dead wood, I felt more as
though I were looking into a mirror. A mirror of universal
life...not a tree....but all living things. Reflecting on my own
life, now most of it behind me, I too am a patchwork of scars, not
unlike the fallen tree.....scars both physical and
emotional....visible and hidden....peeled back, layer by layer with
time. Each and every one, telling some part of the story of my life,
evoking both smiles and sadness, as I meander back in my memories. A
sober reminder for me, as well, as for all of us....that one day, the
physical body will be as lifeless appearing at that old, decaying
tree. I say “lifeless appearing,” as the real message is to see
all of the picture....not just a single facet.
As
I look at the decaying old tree....the most obvious element is the
young, green life, abundantly springing forth from around it. New,
optimistic and flourishing. And from where does that new life find
the necessary nourishment and care? From the now decaying old tree,
resting silent but essential. As that old stump decays, it's very
essence nourishes the new growth, so dependent upon it to survive.
The two are truly one, even if not visibly the same in appearance.
The very spirit...energy and life of that seemingly dead tree is
alive and well in the new growth, beginning a new cycle of physical
life. That new growth almost shouts of optimism and hope, as I look
at it.
This
image Beth Baker captured is the very essence of the cycle of life.
It's far more than a bit of vegetation, somewhere in the landscape of
Florida. It's a picture of all life in the universe, from the
smallest, most insignificant creature to the brightest star in the
night sky. It is you....it is me.....it is what bonds us to each
other in the cosmos. This image is all that we love, all that we
detest....the good and the bad....the hope and the dreams....and most
of all, it's a reminder of how we should live life and how we should
see the cycle of life.
Instead
of not truly living life because we fear death....this single image
provides us a living example that we should celebrate death as we do
birth. There, right in front of us, in one simple image, we see that
what we truly are does not “die,” but continues to live, merely
in a different package. We have exhausted the old package, as we
learn the lessons of “being,” we can only get in physical form.
Having done so, it's merely “graduation time.” Time for us,
having grown in a spiritual sense, to move into a new level of
experience and understanding. And, as we travel the road on our new
journey, often we meet others who seem strangely familiar or often
seem to “remember” familiar places and events.....and this image
reminds us why. We have walked this road before. Many times
before....and will walk it many times more. I hope my little “Zen
moment,” with this image of Beth's will inspire you to pause and
reflect....and perhaps you will see something more...something
different than I have seen. If so, please feel free to comment and
share. We are all teachers and we are all students in the school of
life. So, please share, growing yourself and nurturing others who
may need what you have to share right at this moment.
Thank
you for your time and interest in sharing my experience. Namaste.
