A wellness class teacher advised that hugging a tree can generate positive energy. Since I have a 20 year old mango tree in my garden, I follow the teacher's advice and place my palms on the tree trunk for 7 minutes each morning. I also do that barefooted.
As it can be quite boring doing that I set my gaze on different parts of the garden simultaneously, surveying the plants. Of late I decided to scrutinise the bark of the trunk and the canopy of leaves above. Usually there will be small ants crawling on the trunk and I have to shift my palms to avoid them. Moss lightly covers some parts of the trunk. A small orchid plant which we have implanted winds its roots round a thick branch and reaches down onto the tree's "chest". On a wet day the roots take a greenish hue with the tip of one such root turning maroon red. It looks like a heart artery.
As time goes by I began to smell a natural freshness that seems to emit from the tree. Being in close contact noticing the furrows and cracks of the rough trunk I begin to feel its strength. Once I felt the slow throbbing pulse of my palm and I was a little afraid. I diverted my mind away from stories about tree spirits. Nevertheless the tree does exude a reassuring aura of stability and strength. In the beginning I would quickly shake off any ants that crawl onto my palms. After awhile I realise it was me who got into their way and not the other way round. Now I try to ignore the tiny bite and let the ant finds its way back to the trunk which it sure does.
I am learning from the tree. It supports multitudes of living things in various ways.
That, is its dharma.
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