When you go out into the woods, and you look at trees, you see all these different trees.
And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way.
And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree.
The minute you get near humans, you lose all that.
And you are constantly saying ‘You are too this, or I’m too this.’ That judgment mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.” – Ram Dass
I love this concept! I spend a great deal of time actually, WITH, the trees, and I totally see how this is workable. (Personally, it’s how I look at my late grandmothers’ long stem roses in her garden. One, I call my “cleft palette,” (no offense, please) and every year has very similar flaws in the same branch, this one is my favorite as,well, and the most beautiful by far than the others).
It never occured to me, that’s what I have been doing lately. Like , “well, I understand how they feel and I understand why they do also, much more objectively than I used to
Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing, Amanda. This is such a simple super power – so easy to do – and really is a great way of connecting with the unique life experience of all people (and the energy of all living systems, if you care to extend it) in a way that cultivates much compassion and curiosity. (rather than anger and animosity – or more often, just old fashioned judgement) I still struggle with this, but when I remember this quote -it actually really lands in my life. (and i’m a better person as a result) Thanks for your comment – you captured it perfectly – somewhere Ram Dass is smiling 🙂