Meditation and the “Stolen” Tree: A Lesson in Creating Community in the Craziest of Times
Robin B. Zeiger, Ph.D.
The other day, I somehow unwittingly “stole” a tree from my meditation group. First, I was perplexed, Then I had to laugh. And finally, I was deeply moved by my accidental theft.
The story began on a much-needed vacation up north. Earlier this summer, my husband and I had planned to travel to the U.S. for a professional convention, where I was to present at two sessions. Like most of the world, our plans were disrupted by COVID-19. And, in its stead we faced grueling and stressful daily decisions about how to work, as well as how and when it was safe to travel from our home at all.
The longing for vacation led us up north into the countryside for four days. We rented a small Air B & B and spent some time outdoors in nature, a seemingly safe enough venture. From here, the tree theft unfolded.
When COVID-19 began, I joined an online meditation group, Morning Meditation with Jordan (see link at end of article if you are interested in participating either in real time or via recorded meditations). Jordan is a compassionate and inspiring guide. He is a photographer who also mediates, and he has an art for bringing an astute photographer’s eye to this internal process of mindfulness. At the time that I found this group, I had never meditated before. And I had no idea if I would “last” out the practice. Yet, there was something so grounding and calming about the process. It truly helped me through the beginnings of the lockdown with all of the angst. I must confess, as life has returned to some semblance of normal, I do not meditate every day. But I am still very much a member of the group.
Because of the online forum, I was able to “Invite” Jordan and my fellow meditators to “accompany” me up north. There is something amazing about the possibility of carrying my mediation group with me wherever I go. This I owe to the challenges of the pandemic.
I did not order it, but outside of our cabin was a garden filled with palm trees, greenery, small statues, and a large outdoor cage of seemingly happy birds and bunnies. As a Jungian with an interest in art and symbolism, I was particularly at home amongst the statues.
For a few days, this space became a treasured meditation spot, and I shared it with my fellow journeyers. It was as if we sat together and created something new in this space.
My day began there. And from there my husband and I journeyed to meet the adventures of the day; waterfalls, beautiful rolling hills, a spectacular overlook, a treasured quaint coffee shop where I wrote, and of course, wonderful food and wine.
Now for the tree. At one point, I decided to share some of my photos of the north with my treasured group. I have an I-Phone and thus, it is all too easy to click on photos I want to send. Jordan has talked about trees in many contexts. I also love trees and have written many blog posts about my tree experiences, including one on meditation. I included what I was sure was a photo of a tree that I had taken.
One of the group members, Yonina Arnheim commented that there was a photo taken in another part of the country. This began an amusing interchange.
It took a while, but I realized I had resent Yonina’s photo of a tree taken near her house. I had accidentally “stolen” her tree. I don’t know Yonina very well. It is strange to think about it.
In some ways, my meditation group is a group of strangers. We have never met one another. Yet in another way, we are deeply connected. Perhaps like the tall tree bathed in the light, we have begun to put down roots together.
For this I credit the vision of Jordan, I credit the “craziness” of COVID-19, and I credit our group.
Because of my psychoanalytic roots, I pay attention to seemingly random events; those born in synchronicity. Perhaps Yonina’s tree and Jordan’s trees and my trees are all connected one to the other. Somehow as a group, we have created a sacred space of connection and transformation over the world wide web that is akin to a blooming forest. There are those moments when we are more connected than separate; and at times like these, we need this web of relationship.
Maybe I didn’t steal the tree. Maybe I just borrowed it. But I am glad I did. I have a feeling Yonina and I will get to know each other a bit better in this accident.
Morning Meditation with Jordan
Robin B. Zeiger is a practicing Jungian psychoanalyst and a free-lance writer.
She is a member of the:
International Association of Analytical Psychology and the Israel Institute of Jungian Psychology. She can be reached at rbzeiger@yahoo.com.
