Mysterious Interconnections of Life
Mysterious Interconnections Of Life
Written By: Tom Reinhart-Marean
From mid-March 2020 to early this year I was socially isolated, as were countless people throughout this country and the world, in order to limit the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Such isolation made me yearn for connecting with others. I indirectly satisfied that yearning by roaming outside on my electric scooter for a “roll and stroll” along local trails with our dogs. These special times gave me the privilege of observing nature’s beauty while considering the interconnectedness of all life forms that share this fragile planet. My observation led me into meditation focused on two experiences intimately connecting me with nature in ways that remain a mystery.
Several years ago our family vacationed in California’s Jedediah Smith State Park. In spite of camping in tents that leaked in a downpour, we luxuriated in the shadows of old Coastal Redwood trees. One evening we went on a Ranger-led hike into the heart of the Redwood grove, one of the last protected stands of this species. It was a night with little moonlight shining through the forest canopy to where we were walking. We and some other campers relied on red light flashlights to follow the Ranger, stay on the path, and most importantly, not disturb the wildlife.
When the Ranger stopped us at the heart of the Park, we saw a circle of the largest Redwoods in the grove, shining his high intensity red light on the largest and oldest tree, he started at the bottom and slowly illuminated the thick red bark to where it disappeared in the high canopy of branches and needles. As the Ranger showed us the tree, he explained the ways the Coastal Redwoods had been almost totally destroyed by the harvesting of them for their lumber naturally resistant to rot, insects, and fire. As our group made its way around the circle 50 to 75 feet in diameter and then veered off onto another trail, I slowed my pace and stayed to further contemplate the largest tree. As I stood in meditation, I “heard” the silent voice of the Ancient One mourning the loss of countless sister and brother trees. Deep in my being, I felt indescribable sadness, the tree’s and my own, as we connected within a reality embracing both us and all of Life. It became obvious that the Ancient One was moaning in terror of humans threatening the whole earth with the senseless destruction we had collectively brought upon the Coastal Redwoods.
Shaken by this mysterious encounter, I hurried to catch up with my family and the rest of the group. Having no words with which to describe my intimate, mysterious connection with the Ancient One, I repressed the experience and said nothing about it to my wife. The next day I sought out the Ranger and shared with him what had happened. I believed he might have heard stories of similar interconnections in this Park and others. Yes, he had, but both those stories and mine left him speechless, without any rational explanation.
I later told my wife and other people of my connection with the Ancient One, always afraid of being judged weird and occasionally out of touch with the real world. Dismissing that fear, I’ve chosen to treasure the memory as a mystery dramatically illustrating the wondrous ways we share the stardust of which all living things are made.
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