by Rev. Cindy Senarighi
Scripture ~ He also took some of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil. He placed it beside abundant waters; he set it like a willow. Then it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine with its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and yielded shoots and sent out branches. Ezekiel 17:5-6
Spiritual Focus ~ “We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.” –Dr. Brené Brown, Texan author, professor, researcher, and storyteller
Breath Prayer ~ Every Living Thing
Devotion ~ Last week our devotion used the imagery of a tree to explore rootedness in God’s lovingkindness as we navigate our faith and spiritual path. This image depicts God as the root, Jesus as the strong trunk, and the Holy Spirit as the sap that runs through everything. This week we continue with the tree imagery and how life is nurtured and sustained through the connectedness of its underground root system. A recent BBC News report entitled “Trees Talk” explores what many biologists are now calling the “wood wide web.” The wood wide web is an underground network where trees communicate with each other through their roots and fungi. Through these biological pathways trees “talk” and connect to each other. As biologists have studied the wood wide web, they have come to determine and appreciate the importance of the mother trees within a root system that supply nutrients to the young, sickly, and vulnerable shoots and ensure that the mother trees don’t get cut down.
Understanding connectedness to something greater than self cannot be understood apart from connectedness to each other. As Brene’ Brown says, “We cultivate love when we are deeply known, seen, even at our most vulnerable.” It is here in our vulnerability that spiritual connectedness is most valuable. We begin to understand the value of being connected when we simultaneously nurture the needs of others while accepting nurturing ourselves, thus allowing everyone to thrive and grow.
One practice at the end of a Yogadevotion class is to turn onto a favorite side and offer these words: nurture the love of God and the light of Christ that is within each of us, and extend that light and love to each other, those we remember in the silence of our hearts and those in the world we have not yet met. Feel the love and the light as it returns to you on the Holy Breath. We are all connected; being connected is to be human.
