“I am the heat of your hearth on the cold winter nights, the friendly shade screening you from the summer sun, and my fruits are refreshing draughts quenching your thirst as you journey on.

I am the beam that holds your house, the board of your table, the bed on which you lie, and the timber that builds your boat.

I am the handle of your hoe, the door of your homestead, the wood of your cradle, and the shell of your coffin.

I am the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty. 'Ye who pass by, listen to my prayer: Harm me not.”

(This prayer has been used in the Portuguese forest preservations for more than 1,000 years.)

A very dear friend Nivedita called us few days back and shared that a very old tree is not well and she think it’s going to die if we don’t do something. She called couple of us to find out if anyone of new any botanist or elders who knew more about trees. She also asked everyone to keep this ancient tree in our prayers.

Today she called up again and shared that the tree is getting better, she could see the tree sprouting green leaves and she thinks that it is because of the prayers of all those who were putting their intention for the tree to get healed. She offered us a ride and we saw how prayers, love, hug which are intangible in nature but can do wonders. Seeing the tree we remembered someone saying that how these tress are like saints who are standing at the same place for years witnessing people passing by, leaves falling, butterflies dancing, flowers smiling, conversations happening under its shade, spreading its branches to embrace all that’s coming with so much of equanimity.