Strong like a tree,
No matter the weather.
Think of a robust,
Strong,
Sovereign,
Dignified tree that stands firm even in torrential rains,
Scorching heat,
Snow,
Overwhelming winds.
Under there it remains strong despite all the seasons it has seen and faced throughout its life.
Its branches may shake and stir in heavy rain or get covered with ice in the cold winter nights,
But it still dances happily in the warm breeze of a nice and bright day.
No matter how good,
Bad or neutral the weather is,
Its trunk,
Its body,
Holds it firmly.
It is grounded by its strong roots deep down inside the earth.
It knows the weather will change through the seasons.
It cannot change the weather,
And it knows the weather may change any time,
But there it remains,
Unwavering,
Steadfast,
Unshaken and happy,
Just to be there,
Graciously,
Gratefully and dignified,
No matter the weather.
It may blossom flowers.
It may bear fruits.
It renovates its leaves.
It gives shade for people and animals.
It gives a steady support for birds to breast,
To nest and to sing.
It also breathes in what we breathe out,
Cleaning the air for all on earth.
Its branches breathe out so that we can breathe in its oxygen.
It nourishes us with its out-breath.
And there it stays,
Calm,
Balanced,
Sturdy,
Strong,
Steady and resilient.
It's not worried about the weather.
It's not worried whether it will sometimes get wet or cold.
It is not bothered whether other trees or animals or humans praise or blame it,
Like it or dislike it.
Trees are aware that things arise and pass away,
Like the seasons they have to face up every year.
By being aware of what they are,
They know that one day they will also pass away.
So they are content,
Grateful for just being here as they are,
A simple tree with its strengths and vulnerabilities,
Doing the best it can,
Simply enjoying life as it is,
No matter the weather.
We begin this meditation by finding whichever posture is best for you,
Either sitting or lying down,
Comfortable but alert and awake posture.
You may close your eyes or leave them half open,
Gently gaze downwards without looking around.
Take a few deep and relaxing breaths to ground yourself firm on the earth below,
Just like a grounded and strong tree.
Breathe in,
Feeling the sensation of the earth touching your feet.
Breathe out,
Feeling your feet touching the earth below.
Breathe in again,
The refreshing oxygen nurturing your body and breathe out,
Feeling your feet grounded on earth and the earth kindly supporting you.
Breathe in,
Feeling the air going all the way down to your feet and the earth below.
Breathe out,
Feeling grounded and strong like a tree.
Try to feel this connection.
Think of this tree and look at yourself as if you were just like one of their kind,
Grounded on earth,
Strong and dignified.
Now whisper these words to yourself,
Feeling your feet grounded on the earth below.
Like a tree,
May I be undisturbed,
No matter the weather.
Like a tree,
May I feel balanced and grounded,
No matter the weather.
Breathe in compassion,
Feeling the air of compassion in your body.
Breathe out,
Kindness to yourself,
To this tree and to all other beings there are.
Repeat those phrases,
Feeling the meaning behind them.
Like a tree,
May I be kind to all beings,
No matter the weather.
Like a tree,
May I be open to all weathers,
No matter how I feel.
Like a tree,
May I feel my heart grounded in kindness and compassion,
No matter the weather.
Breathe in steadiness and balance.
Breathe out,
Steadiness and balance.
Like a tree,
May I feel steady and balanced,
No matter the weather.
Like a tree,
May I understand that things arise and pass,
No matter the weather.
Like a tree,
May my heart be grounded in kindness and compassion,
No matter the weather.
Feel the meaning behind those words and notice how your body reacts to them.
Like a tree,
May I be undisturbed,
No matter the weather.
Like a tree,
May I feel balanced and grounded,
No matter how I feel.
Breathe in compassion.
Breathe out,
Kindness to yourself and to all other beings there are.
Like a tree,
May I be kind to all beings,
No matter the weather.
Like a tree,
May I be open to all weathers,
No matter how I feel.
Like a tree,
May I feel my heart grounded in kindness and compassion,
No matter the weather.
Breathe in steadiness and balance.
Breathe out,
Steadiness and balance.
Like a tree,
May I feel steady and balanced,
No matter the weather.
Like a tree,
May I be patient to understand and accept that things arise and pass,
No matter how I feel about it.
Like a tree,
May my heart be grounded in kindness and compassion,
No matter my internal weather.
You may now start making some movements with your body.
When you feel ready,
You gently and slowly blink your eyes open to start feeling and seeing the world as it is,
No matter the weather.
May I be safe and grounded on Earth and accept all my experiences,
No matter the weather.
May I live at ease.
Like a strong and grounded tree,
May I also be strong and grounded,
No matter the weather.
