Doing the Exercise
When you feel you "know" the tree, sit in a quiet
place so you can see the seed, the sprouted seed, the seedling and the tree.
Begin by looking at each and realizing that the tree, the big one,
actually came from a small seed just exactly like the one you have.
The sprouted seed and the seedling will help you concentrate and
understand how the process of development happened. Use your knowledge from your
encyclopedia or botany book to enhance your vision and the depth of your understanding of
the process.
Close your eyes and concentrate on the 4 phase cycle of becoming.
Let yourself imagine you can see a torus around the tree as, in our mind, you watch it
grow from seed to tree. See the torus expanding as the tree grows.
Move your mind through the cycle, while
using either plain English words (flowing together, weaving into one being, expanding
outward, moving through time) or a mantra (Om Mani Padma Hum) or
feelings associated with the process (Love, Joy, Peace, Harmony).
Then open your eyes and associate these feelings and
these thoughts with the process of becoming of the tree.
| 1 |
When you think of
flowing together, look at the tree and trace the inward path of water through where you
know the roots are, in the ground, in towards the central trunk or stem |
| 2 |
When you think of
blending together, look at the trunk of the tree as the core of the torus. |
| 3 |
When you think of
expanding outward, trace the outward branching from stem to leaves and out into the
air. Understanding the motion of the water and CO2 through the system. |
| 4 |
When you think of
through time, shift to the process of creation and the encapsulation of the idea, the
dream, of the tree from flower to seed and falling down to the earth. Or think of the
leaves and branches falling down, turning into soil, reentering the tree. |
Close your eyes and begin the cycle
again.
As you visualize the torus structure focus on the
understanding that this is not fiction, but is actually happening. Your eyes can't see the
tree growing, but is really is. The tree actually is circulating the water, minerals, air,
sunlight even if this circulation is beyond the horizons of your direct perceptions. It is
NOT beyond your knowing. You understand the flow into the plant, how the plant changes
this flow inside its own focus, how it expands out, unfurling itself, how it seeks to
correct its position relative to gravity and the sun. You can't see this behavior directly
but you see it happening in the form of the plant itself.
Study your own feelings and understandings as you
continue this exercise. Do it as many times as you like. Repeat the mantra in your mind,
when you visualize each part of the process. Do this also on the next exercises with the
tree.
Once you feel accomplished at this, move on to the second level.
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