One of my favourite poses in yoga is the tree pose.
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I like it because it's a very gentle and calming pose that relaxes the body and mind, and also because of the meaning associated with it.
In the past, whenever I do the pose in class, I would explain and tell the story behind the tree pose - what it represents and symbolises :
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Just as a tree grows from a seed, to a seedling to a plant and then become a tree, we, too, likewise, are growing day by day.
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And as the tree grows, it provides shade and shelter, a resting place, for those who are weary and tired.
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Through the process of photosynthesis, its leaves also provides us with clean fresh oxygen for us to breathe in, and fill our lungs and nourish our body.
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Its flowers not only releases sweet gentle fragrance to freshen the atmosphere and our environment, the blooms and blossoms also never fail to light up and bring a smile to everyone's face.
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In addition, its fruits fill our hungry stomachs and quenches our thirst.
Just as the tree provides and shares with us all of the above freely, with no terms and conditions, no strings attached, no ulterior motive or hidden agenda,
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We, too, can, and ought to learn from the tree and do the same - share whatever we have, our skills, our abilities, our knowledge, with the world.
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Unconditionally.
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Give back.
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This is the story of the tree, and also the reason why I like the pose and why we need to protect them.
"For every act of giving is an act of non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion."
- Bhikkhu Visuddhacara
"Verily, misers go not to the celestial realms.
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Fools do not indeed praise liberality ( generosity )
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The wise man rejoices in giving and thereby becomes happy thereafter."
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- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 177
"The scent of flowers cannot go against the wind;
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Nor the scent of sandalwood, nor of tagara, nor of jasmine;
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Only the reputation of the virtuous ones pervades in every direction.
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There are the scents of sandalwood, tagara, lotus and jasmine;
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But the scent of virtue surpasses all scents."
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- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 54, 55
"He who plants trees loves others besides himself;
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And he who destroys/kills trees does not love himself and others."
"Cut down the forest (of the passions), but not real trees.
From the forest (of the passions) springs fear.
Cutting down both forest and brushwood (of the passions),
Be forestless, O Bhikkhus."
- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 283
