What do the trees see?

When you go out into nature, do you ever feel like you’re being watched? You are! Although not necessarily by a pair of eyes — it would be more accurate to say you’re being “perceived.”

Like this birch in my backyard with its cute/creepy big black eye, trees and plants and all living creatures are perceptive. They are in constant communication with everything in their environment, and every now and again that includes you.

Have you given much thought as to whether or how your local trees perceive you? I understand that it may not be at the top of your list of concerns. Nevertheless, there is a rich and varied amount of sensory information being exchanged that we can tap into. Just as they are getting some kind of information from us, we can get information from them.

While we might not always be able to “understand” or interpret this kind of communication with our rational minds, we belong to the same ecosystem — there is a part of us that  resonates at the same frequency. That deep part will make use of what is being communicated. In my experience, “receiving” communications from trees has always been deeply calming and incredibly comforting. Hard to describe, easy to experience!

Especially as we move through a seasonal transition, spending time attuning to trees can help us adapt to shifts that might feel challenging, such as shortening days and dropping temperatures.

The next time you have an opportunity to interact with a tree, try getting quiet and centered and opening your senses. You might put a hand on the bark or just gaze at it softly. And then be open to whatever you feel, sense, imagine, hear, or experience. As always, if you give it a try I’d love to hear how it goes!