Treewhispers

Some years ago, I had a friend who had studied to be a Trappist monk. Questioning his vocation, he went to see his abbot, Thomas Merton, to ask his advice. Merton told him to go outside and talk to the trees. My friend thought this was crazy and left the order.

Some years later, in a spiritual crisis of my own, I remembered Merton’s advice. I did go outside and find a lovely oak. I embraced it and asked it’s advice. In silence, it soothed and nourished me. I connected again to life. Since then, I’ve deeply valued trees and their Spirits.

Contributed by Bill Hayashi, Chicago, IL