Tree Hugging story

Tree Hugging

I lightly hugged the Banyan tree and noticed that the bark felt life-like. I softly stroked the rough bark and a vision of an old man with gnarled and knotted hands permeated my mind. I could sense his skin was dry and scaly with age.

Eyes closed, I gently pressed my cheek to the bark of the tree. The vision quickly vanished. The tree ceased to live. The tree suddenly seemed cold, distant and completely removed from human concerns.

Intellectually, I knew the tree was alive, but was unable to feel its life force. I felt left out by nature. I felt diminished by my inability to commune with nature. People often talk about their love of and connection with nature. Why was I suddenly disconnected from this tree?

A blade of grass felt more alive than that tree. Why was there a difference? It was as though the thick bark pressed against my cheek severed my connection to the tree. The tree’s thick, rough skin was a barrier I could not overcome.

What did this mean? Could this reflect a life pattern for me? Do I withdraw in the face of roughness, harshness and unpleasantness? Or is the simple truth I don’t like rough, hard and unpleasant things?