Standing People, or simply trees, are the spiritual guardians of this planet. We live in a symbiotic relationship with trees, and indeed, we would not be able to survive without them. However, humanity generally sees trees as raw material, much less as spiritual beings, and even less as guardians of this beautiful planet. This all needs to change if we wish to evolve further.
My initiation to Standing People happened at the Findhorn Foundation several years back. I participated in a week-long Spiritual Practise programme where we spent one afternoon meditating with trees in a beautiful garden. After the meditation, everyone shared beautiful stories about what they had received from the particular tree they had attuned to, except me. I had received nothing. I was down about this that day as I felt trees were important to me and certainly felt their presence. But I had not received anything, at least that’s what I thought.
The next day we spent in silence, working in various work departments. I was first preparing salads in the Cluny Kitchen on that day. Working silently was a slight challenge in the fast-paced kitchen department, but I did a lot of pot wash which felt right and allowed me to be in silence on my own. Once the day was finished, I slept really well. The next morning I still remained silent for some time. Being quiet felt really good, and it helped slow down my busy mind. I did not feel the urge to rush into things anymore and just gently let things happen to me. The silence allowed me to be more in the now.
At lunchtime, I stopped my silence and started talking as I sat outside with a group of friends eating. The food tasted excellent, and the joy of life started returning to me through our conversation. I was happily chatting about aliens and other interesting metaphysical stuff, and suddenly, something hit my crown chakra energetically, but the sensation was physical. It was the most unusual experience; it felt like a jolt of electricity in my energy body. I then turned around and saw the spirit of the beautiful double Beech tree in the Cluny Gardens calling me. It was quite an experience. First, I could feel the tree “talking” to me, and then I went and hugged it. Then, a massive amount of unconditional love poured through me from the tree, and I was in heaven. My eyes were wholly lit after this experience, and I felt thoroughly moved.
I was a slow learner, but when communication started, it happened in a way I will never forget. My mind had just been on overdrive the day we were out with the trees, and it did not let communication occur at a conscious level. When I slowed my mind by being silent, I realised that many trees are keen to communicate. Not all of them, however. Trees are like people; some are chatty and loving, and some are distant and silent.
This experience certainly opened my communication with the Standing People, or Dryads, as Dusty Miller calls them. I can now feel their energies clearly, tune into their mood, and ask for help. Anyone can do it if the mind is slowed down and respect is shown to the Standing People. We need to work more in harmony with the trees on this planet. They are here to help us but only help if asked and respected.
Only during my later visit to Findhorn did I learn that the Beech Tree room, which I have always liked, is covered in Beech tree shavings – used as wallpaper. This creates a strong link with the Beech Tree in the Garden, and it certainly helps to facilitate the Experience Week groups sitting in that room nearly every week throughout the year. This is an excellent example of the invisible powers of Standing People and the very reason why I like that room so much. It is truly a magical room.
A few years later, I learned that someone had removed the Beech Tree shavings from the room and painted it white. Unfortunately, this has been a massive mistake as it removes the link between the unique tree and the room dedicated to this tree.
There is so much more to trees than meets the eye. First, approach them gently and ask their permission to come closer. Then if it feels right, but only if it feels right, approach the tree and sit by it, hug it or lean your back onto it. Do not try to do anything but enjoy its presence and feel its energy flowing through you. It is like having a cup of tea with a good friend, sometimes just sitting silently, smiling and laughing.
