The moment we teach a child that a tree is a tree, they’ll never see a tree again, at least not in the same way they did before the label.
We humans have the ability to name and label the elements of our world. We teach children that a tree is a tree, and in doing so, we provide them with a powerful tool for navigating and understanding the world. However, this act of naming also has a profound consequence: it can change the way they perceive and experience the very things we’ve labeled.
Labels and names are essential for our survival and the functioning of society. They allow us to communicate, organize, and categorize our surroundings. But what happens when our labels start to shape not just our understanding but also our relationship with the world around us? When we see a tree as merely a tree, do we miss something deeper, something more meaningful and profound?
In naming and classifying, we risk divorcing ourselves from the interconnected and interdependent whole of existence. And it’s not just about trees; it’s about everything– and everyone– around us. We reduce the richness of our world to a collection of isolated, disconnected parts. The tree becomes an object, a label, a category, and in the process, it loses some of its place in the fabric of life, and in fact as a part and extension of ourselves.
Throughout our lives, we find ourselves yearning to reconnect with the deeper essence of things. We embark on journeys of self-discovery, meditation, and mindfulness, seeking to transcend the limitations imposed by labels. We want to remember that a tree is not just a tree; it is a living being, a part of the universal love from which all things arise.
So, how do we break free from the constraints of labels and reconnect with the world in its fullness? It starts with a shift in perception. Instead of seeing a tree as a mere object, envision it as a unique and vibrant expression of life. Stand beneath its branches and feel the cool shade it provides. Observe the intricate dance of wind and sunlight on its leaves. With each inhalation and exhalation, feel gratitude for the life-sustaining gases we continuously exchange with the tree.
Our journey to rediscover the interconnected and interdependent nature of our world invites us to look beyond labels and experience the richness of existence in all its entirety. A tree is not just a tree, but a profound expression of life, and in recognizing this, we can rekindle our symbiotic relationship with the world around us.
Life is a continual process of learning, unlearning and relearning, and in doing so, we come to a better understanding about ourselves and the world around us.
