Page 196 - Dark Matter Women Witnessing

simply to be open to receive. Posing an open-ended question to the tree such as, “Do you

have a message for me?” is a good way to begin the conversation.

As you listen, you may experience various physical sensations. An image may come to you

— strong and clear or subtle and fleeting. You may hear a simple phrase or have a significant

memory. Pay close attention to all the impressions, letting the experience unfold naturally until

it feels complete. Then be careful not to immediately interpret your experience as this tends to

break the fragile rapport. Simply receive and notice the effects of the tree’s presence in your

body-soul and when the process feels complete, express your gratitude to the tree.

Later, record your experience with as much detail as possible, holding it quietly in your heart-

space to integrate within you. Containing and gestating these numinous experiences is

important. Though it may be tempting to share your revelations with a friend, casually chatting

about these experiences before they are fully integrated can dilute and distort what is

germinating within you.

After listening, the information needs to be embodied. It may take considerable time to

embrace and grow into the fullness of the messages you receive from the natural world. I am

still attempting to integrate a message I received twenty years ago, ‘Teach like a tree and talk

like a stone!’ Each person’s way of listening is unique. How the tree communicates with you

may be different with the way it communicates with another person. How the tree

communicates with your intuition and imagination may vary with each encounter. We are

remembering, at a cellular level, a living language we have long forgotten.

I have found Nature tends to speak in poetic metaphors and with a tremendous kindliness. If

you hear messages that sound like a harsh teacher or a flaky guru, you may need to get more

grounded and centered before proceeding. As you become more familiar with these

exchanges, you will begin to recognize a certain tone and distinct energy that is characteristic

of your unique relationship with Nature. Magnetic yin-listening strengthens our heart-energy

and invites hidden or buried parts of our soul to emerge. Observing people as they share their

encounters with some element of the natural world, there is usually a beautiful blossoming in

their expression. As we learn to listen and feel the Soul of the World in our body-soul, parts of

ourselves that were lost or abandoned begin to be gently resurrected.