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Communing with the Aspen

Writer's picture: Marilyn SaltzmanMarilyn Saltzman

At a holiday party, I heard about a new (to me) writing process called nature journaling. A friend directed me to a website hosted by naturalist John Muir Laws. In his videos, Laws says nature journaling “is a trampoline for our curiosity” and helps us “look more deeply into the world.” How Mussar-like, I thought.


Laws suggests three prompts for deeper observation:

1.      I notice…Observe an object in nature carefully. Look at colors, structure, size, shape.

2.      I wonder…What questions about this natural phenomenon occur to you?

3.      It reminds me of…What connections and memories are evoked by this object?


While I have the privilege of walking my dogs every day in the beauty of the woods in my Conifer neighborhood, I rarely observe my surroundings in this in-depth way. Too often, I am distracted by my inner thoughts – perseverating about the past and worrying about the future. I became excited about trying this new journaling method because of its potential to foster a number of Mussar practices including mindfulness, curiosity and gratitude.


My first attempt occurred on New Year’s Eve Day. As I strolled down a quiet dirt road, I stopped to observe and photograph the aspen trees lining the path. Some were bent over, others tall and straight. Many were thin and fragile while others were thick-trunked and sturdy. A few still had curled, dead brown leaves hanging from their branches while most were completely bare. All of them displayed lots of black scars and “eyes” although some were more heavily marked than others.


For decades, I had appreciated the quaking aspens through their cycles of dormancy and growth, from catkins to leaves of forest green, lemon yellow and espresso brown. Yet this was the first time I was curious and mindful enough to wonder more deeply about them:


·        If all aspens in a stand are connected to a single root system and share the same genetics, why do they vary so much in size and appearance?

·        Are the multitude of aspens in my Conifer neighborhood all connected?

·         What causes the black scars and “eyes” on the bark?

·        How old are these aspens and their root systems?


The third question suggested in nature journaling, what does this remind me of, led to some “ah ha” Mussar moments.


Through my more mindful, curious observation of the natural world, I got a new insight into human nature. The differences among the trees reminded me of the distinctions among family members – how we grow up with the same roots and yet may take very different life paths and adopt divergent viewpoints. How many families, like mine, include Trumpers and never-Trumpers? Followers of organized religion, atheists and those on a “spiritual” path? Nutrition fanatics and fast-food addicts?


Some family members’ beliefs and philosophies may be more appealing to me, just as some of the trees appear more striking. Yet each has its value, contributing to the whole in its own unique way. If I could truly observe and appreciate the differences among the trees, maybe I could express gratitude for the differences among those I love…and the wider community.   


On the walk, I came up with my New Year’s intention: To use the metaphor of the common root and divergent growth to approach others with curiosity rather than judgment, mindful attention rather than disregard, gratitude rather than criticism.


While I don’t expect this type of nature journaling to become a daily exercise, I consider my first attempt a success. So I hope to make it a regular part of my journaling as a way to foster my Mussar practices of mindfulness, curiosity and gratitude.

 



Back at home, I did some research about aspen trees. Aspens spread through underground roots with new trunks growing up from the roots. Trunks may live for a hundred years, but the root system can be hundreds or thousands of years old. Under the right conditions, a single aspen clone may cover over a hundred acres, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Nibbling elk, deer and even mice cause the black scars while the “eyes” develop when the trees shed lower branches in a process of self-pruning.

 

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