We have been very crazy planting trees during the past two weeks! I couldn’t help feeling the urgency to get as many trees as I could at the present prices and get them planted before next year. The cold weather has arrived in the north so it meant the dry season would follow. Hence, we had to plant these trees while the earth could still retain the moisture. I actually lost count of the number of trees we had planted in this mad blitz of trying to catch up with lost opportunity and time. But the lockdown had messed up all my plans and we had to double down our effort; we were completely exhausted during this phase! But I was so glad we did that; I told my gardener that would be insurance policy for our survival in the future.
When money has no meaning, we would have to barter and exchange the produce of these trees such as fruits and wood for what we would need in the future. These trees would give us firewood for cooking and heating up water too. Several local people had already complained to me that money seemed to have no value these days! They didn’t know the concept of hyperinflation. Thanks to blockchain and cryptos which have made my life much more secured and enabled my survival plans.
After several days of working in the garden; it’s time for me to observe these trees in my garden at leisure. They have been very kind to me and cooperative with my needs. I couldn’t believe at first that trees could be psychic or telepathic too. For example, last year we had a very important herbal pot plant which is known for fighting against coronavirus and these herbal capsules have been sold out several times in drug stores. But my gardener told me that the plant was dead in the dry season. So, I mediated and prayed to the dead plant asking for some miracle that it would grow again.
After three weeks, my gardener told me that the new bush of herbal medicine had sprung up! Those seeds has germinated and sprung up after one year! I told my gardener to water this herbal bush every week. As soon as I got back to the farmhouse, I went to see the herbs and thank them profusely for responding to my request. Then, those stubborn pomelo trees! They were quietly upset with me for ignoring them for years. Then one day, as I was watering them, I asked them why they refused to bear fruits. These were very expensive trees and should have fruits after three years but they just sat there laughing at me for six years!
Then, one day my gardener came running to me in excitement telling me that pomelo fruits were hanging on these trees. So, in the evening I had to go around thanking these trees for their kindness. I challenged these trees whether who would be the best in giving most juicy pomelos. During the last two years, they have continued to give us pomelo fruits throughout the year. These are kind giant fruit trees with amazing sensitivity.
Two weeks ago, I was desperate for some twenty Neem trees for my garden. I have been quietly dreaming of making Neem oil for medicinal purposes. The local plant nursery didn’t stock any Neem trees. So, I announced my wish to buy some thirty Neem plants anyone could find for me from local fields. To my surprise, local youngsters went around rice fields to dig up small Neem plants to sell me. I was paying more than the normal price as I wanted these old acquaintances to earn some pocket money. Some of these small plants didn’t survive the dig. But there was one tall Neem tree about three meters high with severed roots. I felt rather sorry for this tall Neem tree as he had been separated from his old place in the field with such force.
We put the Neem tree in the lotus pond and the gardener planted him the following day. We didn’t expect this poor tree to survive the ordeal. A few days later my gardener asked me to see if the Neem tree had died as it lost all the leaves. I felt bad about this tree being so hurt. To my surprise, the Neem tree responded to my caress with lots of energy. I knew he would make it; so I told him to get healed fast and I discovered there was a tree spirit inside this Neem tree. Usually trees growing wild in fields and woods would attract some traveling spirits who are trapped in this dimension or waiting for their turns of reincarnation.
Sometimes these tree spirits would appear for a brief moment in front of some sensitive villagers. Then, these people would put up a shrine and wrap the tree in colour cloth so others wouldn’t cut down the tree. I asked the Neem tree spirit to help looking after our garden and to live here with us. I was quite disappointed that my gardener couldn’t feel the tree spirit while planting the tree, as my gardener was supposed to be a medium in the village! There is a medium seance ceremony in the village every year when the spirits of old ancestors would come through these local mediums to give blessings and warnings of any danger in the following year.
Sometimes I used certain trees as my oracles. I would know if a person is ill or in danger by looking at the tree. I don’t often make this request as the trees would become quite exhausted too. These trees could get information through the air and water droplets; they use very subtle vibes in communication. Some trees are like wizard to me! So I have to tread carefully and with respects among big old trees. Sometimes I had to apologise for cutting branches on big trees as there might be someone living on those branches.
So, before cutting trees, villagers would ask for forgiveness and tell the trees that they had to work there. I would automatically tell the trees that I had to work as some branches really needed the trimming. I would ask for protection and safety while climbing onto trees and branches. Luckily they were very kind and understanding and were always gracious towards silly human like me, an amateurish gardener. So, I am forever grateful to these amazing trees and Mother Earth for their generosity and nourishment.
Winter days could be so pleasant with bright blue sky in contrast with green trees and banana leaves. Several years ago, I could never imagine my future life among the fields, trees, bamboos and banana trees. I was supposed to take a high position with my connections and to continue with usual city lifestyle. My old friends would have a shock seeing me in the fields doing gardening. They had no idea what they were missing. Shifting to countryside lifestyle was the best decision I ever made in my life, though it seemed very risky and full of obstacles at the beginning. I had a dream long time ago as a military leader fighting against the Laotian soldiers by the river. I had to repay my old debt to these souls and land. By doing good deeds and sending compassion around the area of old battle fields, the past karma could be appeased and ancient spirits could depart for their reincarnation. I wish I could be more psychic so that I could see or hear more clearly what the river guardians have to say about the future. I guess I should be mindful and live in the present as much as I could. In Buddhism, our mind is said to be like a monkey who could never stay still. I have to follow my breathing once again!
Wishing you peace, good health and prosperity.
Stay strong and cheerful.