Guided Wonder: We Are Rooted

Written for children 3 years and up to practice alone, in groups, or with their caregivers, Guided Wonders are invitations to get still and ground in everyday wonder. Beginning with the question, "Did you know trees talk with each other?", We Are Rooted asks listeners to imagine themselves as a tree–strong, rooted, happy, and free. The meditation ends with a short, accessible chant.

Transcript

I wonder,

Did you know trees talk with each other?

Hey Fern,

How's it growing?

Maybe not quite like that,

As far as I know.

Trees communicate with the help of organisms called fungi.

The fungi are attached to the tree's roots.

Trees use their fungi friends to send signals to their neighbors under the ground.

They might communicate things like,

Um,

I need a little help,

Or here,

I'll share with you.

Wait a minute,

I said those things to my neighbor today too.

I guess we have more in common with trees than I thought.

Let's get still and explore.

Sitting up tall,

Reach your branches to the sky.

Then drop them to your lap and close your eyes.

Wiggle your toes,

Then wiggle your nose.

Take a deep breath in and let it go.

And begin to imagine that you are a strong and mighty tree.

You gently stretch the top of your head a little closer to the sky and feel your trunk growing ever so slightly.

And you say to yourself,

I am strong.

Your strong trunk runs down your spine,

Past your knees,

And out the bottoms of your feet.

Your roots move deep into the earth,

Winding their way through the dirt.

They bring you food and water,

And they hold you firmly in the ground.

And you say to yourself,

I am rooted.

You are also free to dance and move with the breeze.

Feel that?

Let's sway together in the breeze.

We'll sway gently to one side,

Then come back to center.

And sway gently to the other side,

And come back to center.

Again,

Swaying gently to one side,

Then coming back to center.

And gently to the other side,

And coming back to center.

And you say to yourself,

I am happy and free.

You take a deep breath of the fresh forest air.

And as you breathe out,

You link roots with your neighbor trees.

And together,

You sing.

We are rooted,

We are strong,

We are happy and free.

Together,

You and me.

We are rooted,

We are strong,

We are happy and free.

Together,

You and me.

We are rooted,

We are strong,

We are happy and free.

Together,

You and me.

Knowing you are rooted,

Strong,

And free,

Begin to wiggle your toes.

Then wiggle your nose.

Reach up to the sky.

Then drop your arms and open your eyes.

And as the trees say,

Well,

We'll leave it at that.

And so we will.