With an inhalation,
Let yourself bring your attention to your breath,
Allowing yourself to enjoy being present to this breath,
To this moment Where there's nowhere to go,
Nothing to do,
Simply breathing in and breathing out Letting yourself become aware that you are breathing in what your body needs to live The oxygen that is generated by the oak tree and all plants and plankton Letting yourself become aware that you are breathing out the carbon dioxide that the oak tree and all plants and plankton need to live Breathing in and breathing out with appreciation of this exchange,
The receiving and giving that occurs with each breath Seeing if you can imagine the gentle sounds of the oak tree,
Just letting the whisperings come to you As much as you can,
Let yourself relax into the comfort and ease of resting in the qualities of the oak tree Now is a good time to let your heart be filled with a sense of steadiness and sustenance that comes with the oak's deep and expansive root system Now is a good time to let your heart be filled with a sense of the oak's generosity of offering refuge,
Nourishment,
And support for all kinds of beings Now is a good time to let your heart be filled with a profound sense of the oak's connectedness with all the elements,
The stability of the earth,
The fluidity of the rain,
The warmth of the sun,
And the spaciousness of the air Now is a good time to let your heart be filled with the oak's unshakable resilience that comes with her roots' capacity to re-sprout even when there's damage As your heart is filling with these qualities,
There may be an overwhelming,
Overflowing,
An outpouring of well-wishing,
A radiance of loving-kindness for yourself,
For those you care about,
For all beings May I,
My loved ones,
And all beings feel steadied and nourished by the peace,
Contentment,
And love that sustains us May I,
My loved ones,
And all beings be attuned and dedicated to caring for ourselves and for each other with kindness and generosity May I,
My loved ones,
And all beings access resilience as we meet the challenges that arise May I,
My loved ones,
And all beings dwell in profound peacefulness,
Wisdom,
And compassion Closing this meditation,
Here is an offering of the words of Mary Oliver When I am among the trees,
Especially the willows and the honey locust,
Equally the beach,
The oaks,
And the pines,
They give off such hints of gladness.
I would say they save me,
And daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
In which I have goodness and discernment,
And never hurry through the world,
But walk slowly and bow often.
Beyond me the trees stir in their leaves and call out,
Stay awhile.
The light flows from their branches,
And they call again,
It's simple they say,
And you too have come into the world to do this,
To go easy,
To be filled with light,
And to shine.
