Tree Reflection

I began the readings by looking at “Poems about Trees”. This piece was random, nonsensical, and humorously confusing. Much of the text had nothing to do with trees or the feelings associated with them. What was interesting about this work was its mention of God, which was evident in all three texts. All of the media read connect trees to a sense of otherworldliness. “Hermann Hesse on What Trees Teach Us About Life” first brought the spiritual up stating, “And I thought, my god*, what a miracle. What magic” (Popova, 2014). When the text switches from writer Maria Popova to Hermann Hesse’s passage, they too make reference to the religious. Trees are described as holy and strong. Hesse speaks for the trees commenting, “I trust that God is in me. I trust that my labor is holy. Out of this trust I live”. The film Treeline similarly viewed trees as spiritual and transcendental in nature. I found it interesting that the film incorporated Shintoism in understanding the power of trees. I have some familiarity with the religion’s beliefs and practices from a prior history of world religions course. Shinto beliefs are strongly connected to the natural world. Like the video mentioned, the large trees near temples are considered gods themselves. After connecting all of the readings, I wondered how common it was for people to feel a religious or spiritual presence amongst trees. I would agree that for myself, hiking or walking in nature is a mindful, meditative activity. 

These texts all show unique relationships and perspectives of trees. From the first text, I was given a sense of randomness and disconnect. Like the many branches of a tree, it was overwhelming how many paths the writing went down. From “Hermann Hesse on What Trees Teach Us About Life”, I was left with the overall impression of resilience and strength. That life is difficult, but that trees (and people) find a way. The last source, Treeline, was the most impactful. I appreciated the powerful imagery of trees and the coinciding sounds of peaceful music, narration, sounds of rain, creaks from trees, or animal noises. The various speakers referred to trees as alien yet familiar, cathedral, communities, centers, hubs– and sources of energy, connection, and knowledge. These were themes that resonated with me and strengthened their argument in advocating for forests and trees. In the speakers’ descriptions, they made trees seem human in their need for communication, endurance, and the stories they hold within.