Wishing trees

Leave people alone in nature long enough and a kind of interaction begins to occur. Things get picked up and put in pockets to take home. Some things get left in special places – maybe a wish is planted somewhere or a small treasure left behind. Some of us may write in the sand, while those of a more rebellious nature may make a carving or two. And while some last longer than others it's the interaction that I love so much.

It may be true that in the faster paced town and city lives  – that I probably am no longer qualified to write about – that people are feeling disconnected from nature. And while that disconnection has probably fast-tracked some of humanities more destructive actions towards the earth on which we live I'm not sure the disconnection is as grave as some fear. From my own perspective I feel that most people given enough time in Nature will begin a re-connection in their own way.

There are of course many cultures and subcultures in existence today that have rituals and practices born out of our innate desire to interact with nature and connect with that un-nameable something that goes by many names.

Not far away from where I live is the Tibetan Buddhist Temple Samye Ling. It is a beautiful place nestled amongst the hills, drawing people from all walks of life and many different countries to take part in their courses and retreats. In the garden there is a tree covered with wishes. It's hard not to feel how lightly the small tree bears its load of a thousand prayers.

And so of course it became a painting and is now a card ....