Breathing with the Urban Trees
Breathing with the Urban Trees
This blog post was originally published here: https://asthangyogsadhak.com/2023/01/15/breathing-with-the-urban-trees/
Student Spotlight: Tushar Ratanghayra
Morning Walks
It has been quite a few years since I go for morning or night walks and that habit continues as I recently shifted to Baner, Pune. But recently there are a few variations during the walk as:
The society where I stay has a dense garden within the campus and the entire campus wall is also covered with copse of trees, so I walk a few rounds within the campus.
I keep observing the thicket of tress & plants of a very wide variety like Palm tree, Swiss Cheese Plant, Spanish Bayonet, Cow’s Paw, Asparagus fern, Dieffenbachia maculate, Oleander, Copperleaf, Orange Jasmine and many, have originated from different countries like India, South America, Central America, South Africa, Argentina, Southeast Asia and many more.
While walking, I practice a variety of conscious breathing techniques like Sufi breath, Coherent breathing, box breathing, a few others that I have learnt from my Yoga classes, YouTube and now learning at https://www.makesomebreathingspace.com.
Thus by remaining in the present moment with the above practices, make me take the pictures of the trees in & around the campus and write this blog on the top #3 learnings from the trees
1. Impregnable Acceptance
Trees
The trees of different national origin
stick along closely in a single region
They vary in ability to absorb sun & rain
as they belong to completely different terrain
Well, some are medicinal
while some are poisonous
Some bear fruit and flower
but some only leaves to shower
YET
All live so harmoniously
Without any pride or jealously
Myself
I breathe in the air of Unity
And respectfully accept the diversity
People around can be of different race, gender, religion or ethnicity
But all are HUMAN beings with unique individual identity
Each one brings their own values to share
And each one has a different way to care
Yet, when there is disturbance in a situation
I would try to place myself in other person’s position
I breathe in the air of acceptance
I breathe out the air of discrimination
2. Individual Subsume
Trees
Some trees bear leaves bigger than plants nearby
Some have leaves all around while some have only branches to the sky
Some trees are broader than a mini play ground
but some are taller to be seen through the town
and some are creepers who can spread all around
Some trees are firm on their own
but some can grow through inosculation
Some are older than my great grand father
While some are just sprouting or are younger
YET
Each one does what they are meant to do
And do they instruct others – What to do?
Each one has its own journey And has its own experience with a varying degree
Myself
I take a deep breath to the abdomen
To focus on myself than on someone
When I tend to compare with anyone today
Remind myself to compare with what I was till yesterday
Thoughts are bound to take me outwardly
And breath helps me to go deeper inwardly
Meditate Ana Pana Sati for my growth
And heartfelt celebration of success of others, that’s my oath
Support others when in sorrow
Celebrating the festival of life as if there is no tomorrow
I take the healing breath for myself to consume
And a breath of compassion for all subsume
3. Resoluteness
Trees
The trees are cut by human
or dry out due to the change of season
the leaves fall off naturally
or humans pluck them obviously
BUT
They still stand tall with immense patience
Trusting the cycles of nature to grow again
with inner confidence to blossom and overcome the pain
Myself
Now onwards, I remind myself daily
That I need to breath consciously
And accept the present moment
May what be the world around me
I need to be in peace within me
As the days pass, the body would be ageing
I would always be young and strong in my thinking…Happy Breathing!
About Tushar
Tushar Ratanghayra, an IT professional who is also deeply engaged with multiple forms of Yoga & Pranayama since last few years.
He is on his journey to spread his learnings & experiences in Yoga / Pranayama / Breathwork to world very soon.