Meditations Against Despair 2: "When I Am Among The Trees"
Above is the second audio meditation in a small series that I am working on for a graduate class in my Master of Spirituality program. In this meditation, I focus on one of my favorite poems from Mary Oliver, “When I Am Among The Trees”:
When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”
I hope you enjoy.
I love this! I'm a big fan of these types of meditation/prayers and this is one of the best I've heard. I liked the combination of nature sounds, ambient music, poetry, and imagination. Do you plan to organize them by season? Just curious. Can't wait to hear more!
My story might be a little different. As a photographer for Arkansas Tourism, you just described my normal day in the "office"-- at least a good many. In fact I was visualizing very specific places I have hiked, and a very specific rock on which I have rested. Thank you for taking me there. I even imagined myself a tree, with the radiance (and sound) pouring over my branches.
Should I push back at all it will be,as a Puritan and student of Augustine. I don't look to myself for light. But do hope to walk in His and fully dress myself in that Light which has come into the World.
You have a very soothing voice.