Be Like a Tree

Our mind – it is a very powerful thing. It is our communication centre, the place where warning alarms are sounded for potential danger. It is our problem-solving tool, our creative inspiration, and so much more. A wonderful tool, it can transform thought into matter, silence into noise, words into dialogue… when used correctly. However, the mind is the centre of the ego and when the ego is given permission to identify itself as the overall ruler – the puppeteer so to speak, it can become troublesome.  Mental chatter is a burden in which only the human indulges. A tree grows toward the sun spreading its roots beneath the ground for support and stability. It sheds leaves in the autumn and sprouts new foliage in the spring. Springtime also sees the tree bearing flowers or fruit to provide seeds for reproduction. A tree bends and sways to the wind, it also communicates via its root system and fungal networks as well as electrical impulses through its tissues which are similar to animal nervous systems. Its communication systems share resources and information with other trees, along with sending nutrients, water and chemical signals through the same network systems they communicate with. A tree can do all of this, simply and naturally without the incessant mind chatter the suffering human endures.

So why does the human mind have such a need to burble its dialogue like a spiral out of control? There are many answers to this question, so I’ll address only a couple here. Let’s begin with the trauma response. A child may experience any kind of distress, either on a short-term or long-term basis. As the child grows and experiences life, she will have a growing dialogue of information in regard to her distress and/or trauma. The mind of the child has filed these experiences into their own category of the brain where defense mechanisms are created to protect the child (and later in life the adult) from the anxiety and psychological pain she had endured earlier in life.

This kind of chatter will include:

Denial – refusal to accept reality

Projection – attaching offensive thoughts, feelings or motives onto another person

Justification – creating seemingly logical reasons to justify behaviour that may otherwise be unacceptable and prompt anxiety

When the mind is perceiving troubled waters, it becomes stressed and anxious as it attempts to navigate away from the trauma or distress it expects. The more the mind ponders this response or perceived problem, the more stressed and anxious it will become, inducing a constant cycle of incessant chatter.

Analyzation of ones own thoughts and the opinions of others is a thought provoking steam roller. The egoic mind likes to believe opinions are facts and the fact is the opinion of said ego is the right one, other opinions are obsolete and any disagreement or otherwise opinion may provoke the analytical mind which will attempt to prove itself.  

And so the ego and the mind have a constant flow of dialogue, often times contradictory and most usually disruptive.

It is an ongoing practice to dissuade the mind from this disruption. We do have many tools available to us which are simple and affective, the trick is to be consistent in our practice.

The most simple and instantly effective tool is in our breath. It has an immediate effect on anxiety and stress and there are many different ways to complete this task.

1.      Take a deep inhale through the nose filling the lungs up to capacity and expanding the belly. Breathe out through an open mouth whilst allowing the body to relax as the air expels from the belly and lungs. Complete this 3-5 times as and when required.

2.      I like to draw earth energy up through my body with the inhale, and as I exhale, I allow all tension in my body to fall away. (The tension in the body is created by the over thinking mind) Visualizing the drawing of earth energy up through the body provides grounding, stabilizing the mind, emotions, and body.

3.      Box breathing is a yogic practice, breathing in on the count of 4, hold for the count of 4, breathe out at the count of 4 and again hold for 4. This one requires a little more concentration but is very effective in reducing many of the effects of anxiety and stress.

I often ask a person who is elevated in stress and anxiety to stop and take deep breaths. The effect is highly visible even on the first inhale, even for those who suffer from dementia. I strongly recommend you find a breath practice to work with. Personally, I used to be a fast, shallow breather. The natural response of the body is to breathe fast and shallow in times of stress, so my body must have been in the fight or flight mode consistently.

Other simple ways to dislodge the mental chatter can include:

• Taking a walk in nature – connect with the land and with your self as you stroll around water, among gardens, or among trees. Breathe in the air and allow it to flow through your body. Absorb the wonder of the eco system, listen to the natural sounds as the earth whispers to you.

• Journaling or freewriting is a therapeutic way to process throughs and emotions which assists to clear the mind without self-judgement. Simply allow the pen to scribe without putting thought to it. You can often surprise yourself with the content which flows out. This is a great way to take out the trash before you go to sleep. Allowing the mind to dump it all provides space for calm which can ease you into a stress-free sleep.

• Of course, meditation is a popular way to slow the mind. However, do not allow your perception of meditation to get in the way. Meditation is an act of clearing the mind. This may be achieved in different ways that bring you harmony which could include watering your garden, walking, crafting, or anything else that does not require thought and relaxes you.

In short, our goal is to allow the organic flow of life, bend with the wind to prevent breakage, allow thoughts to drop away like leaves drop to the ground. Allow information to flow without analyzing it. Be like a tree.

From my heart to yours

Trish x

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