In the Forest

"Lost"

by David Wagoner

Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you,
If you leave it you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.

All photos copyright Anthony F. Chiffolo

"There is no end."

"All things end as One, but to that One there is no end. With the roots of your being in the One and with a radiant vision in your heart, live your life boldly in the eternal Now."

--Ilchi Lee

"Set a destination and go."

"Your life is a journey if you have a destination to go to, a goal to achieve. Life is no more than wandering if you do not know your purpose here."

--Ilchi Lee

Heaven

"Heaven,

we're told, is not unlike this,

the banquet celestial,

eternal convivium...

Yes! Around your table we

knew the Holy Spirit, come to bless

the food, the host, the hour, the willing guest."

--Madeleine L'Engle

Blessing of Hospitality

As the fire under the stone floor of my dwelling place burns brightly to warm my house

So may the love of God warm my heart and the hearts of those who step over my threshold.

--Formosan prayer

Every Tree Speaks

"Mighty One, in the woods I am blessed. Happy is everyone in the woods. Every tree speaks through You. O God! What glory in the woodland!"

--Ludwig van Beethoven

Where to Pray

"As often as you can, take a trip out to the fields to pray. All the grasses will join you. They will enter your prayers and give you strength to sing praises to God."

--Rabbi Nachman of Breslov