REFLECTION 29: THE TREE OF LIFE

In every leaf there is the silhouette of the whole forest. In every breath there is the pulse of the Whole.

A leaf has the awareness of a leaf-until it understands that it is held by a twig. The twig has the awareness of itself and its leaves-until it realises it is nourished by a branch.

The branch has awareness of the whole cluster of twigs and leaves that depend upon it-until it recognises that it is connected to the trunk. And when it becomes aware of the trunk, it suddenly sees that there are many other branches like itself, stretching from root to crown. Each branch may be higher or lower, longer or shorter, stronger or more frail-yet all share one mother.

Then one day it notices something else: a vast root system, corresponding to the whole trunk, sinking deep into the earth.

Everything belongs to one body: the complete tree. Each part has its own role and responsibility. Remove any part, and the tree may grow weak-or lose life altogether.

The roots beneath the ground can be seen as the dark aspect; the trunk above the ground as the light. A tree without roots will fall. A tree without branches and leaves cannot photosynthesise. Darkness and light are necessary aspects of life, balancing and supporting one another.

Without one, the other cannot exist. Without darkness, light cannot even define itself.

When you understand that all things are one body-that everything shares the same origin, the same source-you stop seeing separation as truth.

A tree that grows naturally does not see its branches and leaves entangling, invading, or fighting one another. That is the natural way-the Dao of nature.

So let us reach out our hands to one another. Let us find a shared language, a shared path, a shared understanding-so that we may move forwards together, rather than scheming, competing, pulling others down, and lifting ourselves up, only for everyone to fall behind.

Hoàng Nhật Minh
Excerpt from the book: Spiritual Science - A Journey Back To Your True Self

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