Resend: The Wk of 7/2/26 Among the Trees

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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.”

M Oliver

I saw this video clip of professional boxers facing one another, pre-fight, for a photoshoot. In the first one, one dude tried to intimidate the other by growling at him and almost clocking him in front of the cameras. Flinching & getting pissed, his opponent reacted in kind. The next set of fighters then stood face to face, the photographers seeming to egg on more of the same intimidation. To everyone’s surprise, one fighter kissed the other on their nose. That other fighter was so taken off guard that they broke into a childish smile. They then both laughed and hugged. This makes me wonder…if we square up, so to speak, against whatever “opponent” is in front of us (complain about our job, bitch that we are feeling terrible, bemoan our partner for not behaving as we wish, scream out in violent agony against the injustices we see around us) will those things, in kind, strike back? And what if we approach more gently? Kiss them on the nose? Will the energy relax? Will it too laugh and hug back? 

I have to constantly remind myself to slow down to my natural pace (I am/we are nature, after all) & bring a friendly face to those aspects of my life that I don’t like. I have a deep sense that “opponents/obstacles” are placed in front of us, perhaps on purpose, to help us grow our capacities & gifts. A friend would do that: help us. And does my reaction to the thing I don’t like determine what I get back? 

I got stuck for quite a while in fear over  a painful and long lasting “stomach illness” that started a couple months back. But my own fighting wore me down, and the only way I’ve been able to make it through is to keep remembering that I do in fact believe that this universe is friendly. Einstein himself said it’s the most important question one can ask oneself: do you believe the world is friendly or not? I have to say friendly. I must. I cannot live in this world otherwise. It’s a choice I have to make and continue to remember because I can forget it in a breath. If you too have forgotten, I hope this is a welcome reminder. 

It is my knowing that we are eternal souls, on a temporary earth adventure. & while here, we are aware of about 1% of what is actually going on in the Multiverse (ask the Kabbalists). And we have a choice to make. Over and over. And it will determine our individual realities. 

There is one phrase repeated more than any other in ALL sacred texts. ALL. And that is: Do not be afraid. 
God I wish that was easier done than said. But perhaps this is our big work. And that is why it is repeated the most. 

This is my focus/anchor right now: when culture asks me to speed up past my nature/God-given, natural pace and do more than my natural capacity, my protest is to apply the opposite (Pratipaksha Bhavana). Slow down. And revere the network of miracles that surround me CONSTANTLY, even the ones that don’t at first glance seem friendly. 

I hope you angels enjoy, for perhaps even a second longer than you normally would, some fireworks this weekend. Cool water. Friends. Our finite gifts on this infinite ride. 

With a deep bow & a kiss on your nose,

Ek 

ps, see some of you soon:,

Thursdays, 3 PM FLOW, and…

also  4:30 pm Flow & Chill at Flow Yoga North Loop (5501N Lamar Blvd)

(**always check Flow Yoga North Loop & Westgate online class schedules for last minute schedule changes. Also, last minute sub opportunities arrive throughout the week that I cover).

    Click the image for this month’s playlist