Before you read this, you can listen to the song : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSjXOebB7eI
In a
characteristic and cheerful Jamaican rhythm, the singer lets loose the phrase
“There is a big tree in the garden”.
Suddenly,
an image of a big tree in a garden is created into my mind. But a question
arises.
“Who is
watching the big tree? Is there anyone in the garden noticing that there is a
tree, and that in fact that tree is big?”
This is how
I picture it.
There is a
big tree, and there are two observers.
One of them
is watching the tree from a distance. It is a man, who observes the outside material
world. He lives his life like most. He sees things with his human eyes without
asking or questioning. But somehow, someday, something unexpected happens. The
cause could be anything. He might have read a spiritual book, he might have met
enlightened souls. Perhaps he has had an awakening incident or he could have
lost what was thought given. Nevertheless, his karma is somehow fulfilled.
So, this
man is now standing in a garden watching a tree. At first, he notices that the
tree is big, tall, strong, green. All observations of human vision. Yet, he is
not satisfied. He is looking for something. So he continues watching. He is
watching so carefully, so patiently, that the tree is getting bigger and
bigger, stronger and stronger, green like nothing else he has ever come across.
Slowly he sees. The tree is not a plant anymore. It is life in shape, life in
colour. Life with roots (source), life with branches (growth, continuity,
evolution). It is still and yet more alive than anything else moving.
Then, he
makes another realization. Concepts like time, space, distance are powerless
when the observer is awake. He starts to feel one with the tree. The illusion
of separateness starts to fade away.
Now, it is
up to him. If he chooses to stay focused, if he stays connected to the tree,
the Mind will set free. He will become wiser. Right away, another experience
emerges, even more profound. Not only does he see, he now understands as well.
There is no tree and there is no man. The truth is revealed.
The second
observer is much different. He has come into the garden knowing the truth. This
man has gone along a spiritual journey. Not only does he see that the tree has
roots and branches, but he has progressed into taking care of the tree. He
waters the roots and trims the bran ches.
He has
overcome the obstacles of distance and time. He has touched the tree, observed
every side of it, knows what it needs to become even bigger and stronger. He sees and he understands. By time, the
connection between the observer and the tree is so deep, that the man is
absorbed by the tree. Or one would suggest the opposite. Nevertheless, they
become one. Such as the tree, without roots, the man cannot live, without
branches he will not grow. But the man knows it. Yet, he has no fear. He feels
no pain. He needs not the human body anymore.
So there
you go. Man and tree are one. Until they are none.
In both
cases, the observer is enlightened. What is different is the approach, each
man’s path to get there. This is the law of karma. Those who walk into the
right path (dharma) will get there sooner. Those who fall into the wrong path
will have their karma act for them.
So, next
time you see a tree, ask yourself: Who is watching the tree?
Maria Hatzistilli
Beautiful <3
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