My Tree

                                                           Eco-Spirituality Death & Dying Exercise
                                                       (Using nature for assisting self or another in facing death)
                                                                                    by Marcia Beachy
 
Taking a deep, relaxing breath and closing your eyes…
Imagine your life, your long life—or your short life—as a tree…
 
What sort of tree comes to mind as you consider your life? Is it old and gnarled or still a young sapling? Does your tree lose its leaves every autumn like the oak or is your tree evergreen like a ponderosa pine? Is it large and powerful or delicate and lovely? As you let the tree of your life come into your awareness, notice its color, its size and its presence…

Notice the season. Is it summer, winter, autumn or spring? Is it morning or evening? Notice the light shining on the branches and leaves…See the breeze moving quietly through the branches…and wildlife flitting within and around it. Appreciate the unique beauty of your particular tree…
 
When you were younger, your tree was younger. As you have gotten older your tree has also, filling itself with the stories and the cycles of your life; the years that were simpler when the sun and the rain danced in just the right way and you loved the adventure…..the other years when the rains didn’t come as often and you struggled to find nourishing waters so you could continue…
 
Now you are coming to the close of your life. The life force within you is weakening and perhaps your tree has more dead branches than live ones. It’s okay. You know that. You know you have had the best life you knew how to create. You also know what no one else knows as deeply as you; you know the tremendous effort it took to thrust yourself forth from the soil and the climate of your family and culture to become who you truly are. Take a moment to give thanks for your great determination and the unfolding beauty of your life…

The few live branches left on your tree are now losing their life force and surrendering their present form…Similarly, your body is losing its life force and letting go of its present form. Remember this: just like a tree that dies, a dying person is still giving to life all around them.  A dead tree trunk continues to be a home for owls and woodpeckers. A rotting tree continues to create soil for those trees yet to come.
 
As you are letting go, as your body is no longer a fit home for your soul, life is still being nourished by the love you shared on Earth and the obstacles you mastered. Your spirit is still wafting through the lives of all who know you. The understanding you have contributed to the vast storehouse of wisdom, abides forever.
 
As you leave your body, whenever that time arrives, rest peacefully knowing that your spirit lives on in those who come after you—and that you are and will always be a part of it ALL.