touching trees

between the northern yonkers’ border and the lion’s gate at untermyer gardens, standing proudly above the old croton aqueduct path, looking out over the hudson river and across to the palisades, there lives a mighty oak.  her trunk is wide and elephantine, she towers majestically, and her numerous arms spread in all directions, like durga, the fierce hindu goddess. 

i call her “maya.”  

the ground at her feet is holy, once occupied by native americans of the algonquin, mohegan and manhattes tribes. the hudson river school of painters sought to capture the light that extends out from her arms toward the river, beholding the beauty of the american landscape.  

maya is a living symbol of human aspiration and beacon of the now.  grounded and firm, well rooted.  steady, no matter the weather or the season.  rising and reaching toward sunlight.  noble.  a shameless dancer in the wind.  rounded in parts, long in others.  imperfect.  thick and thin without apology.  changing and remaining.  

when you follow her shape from root to trunk to branches, she is fierce and energetic.  and when you trace her down from branch to trunk to root, she is calm.

she is textured in a way that creates urgency to touch her, to stroke her many lines and grooves, to hug her.  

i imagine her roots run so deep and wide and are so intertwined that it’s likely she is connected to every tree for miles, in every direction.  i’m sure maya feeds them all.  

the japanese have a practice, coined by the japanese ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as shinrin-yoku which translates roughly as forest bathing. immersed in the forest elements and the natural environment, we are meant to slow down; to notice the subtle and the grand - smell, texture, sights and tastes of nature.  also, the invisible, like wind.

there's a growing body of scientific evidence that shinrin-yoku can help boost immunity and mood and help reduce stress. "medical researchers in japan have studied forest bathing and have demonstrated several benefits to our health," says philip barr, a physician who specializes in integrative medicine at duke university.

i was not always a tree talker.  too busy, too immersed to notice, eyes often gazing down toward my phone, or my running feet.  but in these last few years, i have started to look up and slow down;  to pay attention to the wonder and majesty of trees. graceful in their stillness and in their motion.  

being with trees awakens joy within me.  

try it.  find a tree in your yard or neighborhood or local park. give the tree a name. don’t demand or expect; simply be.  use all your senses.  notice your breath and body when you first arrive and any changes that might ensue.  don’t be afraid to talk to the tree.  i have been surprised at the answers maya has given me.  

i have seen other people stop and stare at her and i wonder if she talks to them, too.  

the gorgeous photos of maya are taken by laurie pastore.  may not be copied without her permission.