Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Circle of Trees: A Multigenerational Program about Nourishing Deep Connections with Nature

Spiritual Preparation

Part of Circle of Trees

Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for several minutes, perhaps repeating a word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day. When you feel settled and relaxed, complete Activity 3 for yourself:

Allow the image of a tree or part of a tree, an animal that lives in or near trees, or any another image of nature (perhaps a cloud, a mountain, a pond), to come to you in your imagination.

After several minutes, take on the spirit of the being or the part of nature that you have envisioned; feel as if you are turning into the tree or creature or part of nature. Ask yourself:

What is happening to me as this spirit? What are my days like? What are my nights like? What is happening to my environment? What do I want? What do I have to say? What would I like to tell the humans? What wisdom do I have to share?

Allow the answers to come to you from inside.