Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT)

HARVESTS OF AN APPRENTICE of the Earth and the Heavens

Text and all pictures by: Maria Jesus Palma Cespedes, Amazonia Cohort 

 

 

Patience was taught to me by the tree   

 that showed me that every seed has its journey

and every fruit, its time of maturation.

“Patience arises naturally from presence,” it whispered to me,

“because whoever is present

is not waiting for anything other than to be awake

in this single instant.”

 

Trust came from the water

that flowed, sang, splashed

and rested gently on the cloud open to the different possibilities of existing

without controlling, without resisting.

“Trust, my child, that, as you see,

I can go round and round,

but my destiny will always be to return to my home;

the Ocean (…)

Embrace the stones in your walk,

free yourself from the dams, do not be dizzy,

flow with the force that carries me

and trust that your destiny is also to return home.”

 

Acceptance came from the changing seasons

when I observed that all beings

in their constant transformation

surrendered to the intrinsic rhythm

of the great earthly symphony.

“Whoever fades away,” the earth told me,

“nobly offers their existence

so that the life that awaits may germinate.”

Then I noticed a leaf falling slowly

on its journey back to the earth

And I understood that resistance is suffering

And that surrender and fluidity is liberation.

 

 

Sensuality came from the aroma of flowers

inviting the subtle caress, delicate

encounter of two skins from different kingdoms

but sisters born from the same earth

and daughters of the same sky.

“Where does beauty live if not in noticing,

in perceiving us?”

the suggestive flower taught me sweetly.

 

Play and imagination came from the clouds

Mountains of sky that, sometimes believing themselves to be animals and objects

Laughed mischievously from on high

Comfortable in their changing nature

playing at being nothing

playing at being everything

Sometimes dissolving in the clear blue

sometimes pouring down with force

like rain

or like tears

 

Simplicity came from the bare autumn tree

That with its bare arms

Showed me the purity that lives in the simplicity

Of an existence without adornments

 

Creativity was inspired by the sunrises and sunsets

Where the sacred delights in its brush

and reveals itself without cover or mystery

to its moved spectators

“You are also part of this work of art,”

a voice of eternity murmured

“Never forget that when you contemplate the sky

The sky is contemplating you too as part of itself”

 

Self-discovery was born from the silence of the night

Where the darkness served as a mirror

to notice one’s own shadow

no longer with the eyes of judgment

but with the deep and compassionate gaze

of consciousness

Perceiving beyond all darkness

the virtuous stars that twinkle

While the full moon of the Soul shines

with the victory of a new understanding

arising from the heart

 

Care has been taught to me by the mothers

of all species

Guardians, defenders of life and existence

Pouring themselves tirelessly in love and sacrifice

To transform the fragile

into strength and courage

Providing firm foundations to go through

this great rite of passage

that is Life

 

Deep attention came as an imperious call

from my soul

That guided me with wisdom through a growing thirst

to understand and experience the other, the different,

the “external”

To come to understand

That what is outside is a reflection of the divine Being

that lives not only in me

but in every particle of the Cosmos

 

The teaching of reciprocity came from the Earth

who showed me that the links are based

on a subtle and invisible element

that some call Gratitude,

others Presence,

others Love.

What more could She

who already possesses everything ask for?

Love,

only Love

 

Humility came from the hand of Death,

Who, taking detachment as its emblem,

Invited me to see my ephemeral human nature,

But also to recognize my true eternal nature.

“Empty yourself of all desire and superficiality,

for I will come to take from you

everything that you are not,”

said the wise Death solemnly.

And he continued:

“In your apparent fragility, transcendence dwells.

Immerse yourself in the search for your inner pearl,

the one that neither I nor anyone else can snatch away.

If you are humble and pure, you will find it.”

 

 

Belonging?

Belonging is inherent to my existence

Because I cannot exist without being a part

Nor can the part exist without the Whole

Belonging is not sought or found;

It is recognized and inhabited in the realm of Being

Discovering with its infinite gaze

The living plot that unites life

The great unison beat that brings us together

The divine energy that transcends us.

 

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