In the beginning was a relationship.
Spirit of Truth
Jesus Healer
Presence Divine
here now
in the Trinity of Trees
our verdant sanctuary where
a fire-blackened oak tells her story
as we pray and sing and dance
our heart’s pain and joy with Mother Earth’s.
We take, bless and eat,
drink wine of the new covenant
in communion with all creation.
Being a Tree Meditation by
Suzanne Woitowich,
Heart of Compassion International Faith Community,
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Heart of Compassion International Faith Community,
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Suzanne guided us in this meditation
during our Trinity of Trees Liturgy at the beginning of our Prayer of Healing
and Peace. Thereafter, Joanna Novosedlik led us on a walk with her drum as we
chanted. We asked forgiveness for harm we have done to creation and prayed
for healing.
Prayer of Healing and Peace
Prayer of Healing and Peace
It is good to know a thing by imaging being it
from a heart perspective, rather then thinking about it with the intellect.
A tree has many good qualities that people seem to be disconnected with. Trees have a reciprocal relationship with us and the earth and are a necessary part of the forest and our planet. We can connect with this nature in this mediation.
While standing, close your eyes and takes some deep breaths as you relax.
Open your eyes and pick a tree that you identify with.
Take in this tree fully. Check out its bark and branches, its leaves and any scares.
Now close your eyes and picture this tree in your minds eye.
Become the tree; the trunk, branches, leaves, bark and roots.
You are a happy tree that belongs here in this forest.
This is your home.
Sway with the wind and feel the sunshine on your leaves and branches that reach up into the sky.
Takes deep breaths of carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen knowing that you are providing for human life.
As a tree you have been here a long time.
Everything around you provides what you need and you in turn offer the forest what it needs.
You feel your stillness deep down through your roots.
You feel your branches and leaves swaying with the wind and reaching up to the sky
You are content.
While you remain still, time moves about you.
Morning arises and turns to evening,
Day turns to night and night to day once again,
Spring turns to summer and summer to fall; fall to winter and;
Once again spring arises.
Feel the earth under your feet.
As your roots move down into the soil; you draw up water and minerals and nutrients.
Everything that you need is here for you.
Let the spirit of your awareness flow through this tree
Let your spirit open to everything here and now as this tree.
Listening, feeling, dissolving into being that tree here and now...
10-20 minutes of silence follows.
Prayers of the Faithful:
A tree has many good qualities that people seem to be disconnected with. Trees have a reciprocal relationship with us and the earth and are a necessary part of the forest and our planet. We can connect with this nature in this mediation.
While standing, close your eyes and takes some deep breaths as you relax.
Open your eyes and pick a tree that you identify with.
Take in this tree fully. Check out its bark and branches, its leaves and any scares.
Now close your eyes and picture this tree in your minds eye.
Become the tree; the trunk, branches, leaves, bark and roots.
You are a happy tree that belongs here in this forest.
This is your home.
Sway with the wind and feel the sunshine on your leaves and branches that reach up into the sky.
Takes deep breaths of carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen knowing that you are providing for human life.
As a tree you have been here a long time.
Everything around you provides what you need and you in turn offer the forest what it needs.
You feel your stillness deep down through your roots.
You feel your branches and leaves swaying with the wind and reaching up to the sky
You are content.
While you remain still, time moves about you.
Morning arises and turns to evening,
Day turns to night and night to day once again,
Spring turns to summer and summer to fall; fall to winter and;
Once again spring arises.
Feel the earth under your feet.
As your roots move down into the soil; you draw up water and minerals and nutrients.
Everything that you need is here for you.
Let the spirit of your awareness flow through this tree
Let your spirit open to everything here and now as this tree.
Listening, feeling, dissolving into being that tree here and now...
10-20 minutes of silence follows.
Prayers of the Faithful:
1. As Citizens of Ontario, Michigan and Ohio, where 20%
of the world’s fresh water is near us, we pray for the waters of the world,
that they may be restored to health and filled with bountiful life.
Response: Creator Spirit, help us renew Mother Earth
2. We pray for Earth’s soil. We humans create waste that
is loaded with toxic chemicals, now measureable in our soil. This is especially true in heavy industrial
areas. We pray the soil of the world,
with all its richness, will be protected to assure abundant harvests for all.
Response: Creator Spirit, help us renew Mother
Earth
3. We grieve that earth has lost half of its wildlife in
the past 40 years. We pray for all creatures who share Earth with us, that
their beauty and diversity will be preserved.
Response: Creator Spirit, help us renew Mother
Earth
4. We pray for our brothers and sisters, and all
creatures around the world impacted by the harmful effects of climate change.
Response: Creator Spirit, help us renew Mother Earth
Response: Creator Spirit, help us renew Mother Earth
5. We pray for all human beings, especially future
generations, that we will be filled with a spirit of concern for our
environment; bring an end to the exploitation of the Earth’s scarce resources;
and live
as responsible creatures protecting and respecting
this gift our Creator has placed in our hands.
Response: Creator Spirit, help us renew Mother
Earth
6. We pray for wisdom for decision makers in wealthy nations,
that they may make amendments for the harm they have done to the environment
and find creative and just solutions to protect all of creation and to ensure
climate justice.
Response: Creator Spirit, help us renew Mother
Earth
7. We now give voice, for our other intentions …
And for
those held silently in our hearts …
Response: Creator Spirit, help us renew Mother
Earth
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