Rooting Down in the Eye of a Storm
So if you saw my post on Instagram post then you know that I owe you a story about the tree with the statue behind it.
That was supposed to be my post for the week, buuuuut shocker, I got sidetracked. To be fair, I think that message needed to be shared just as much, but here is what I was originally going to share with you. And buckle up, it’s about to get deep.
For this story, I want you to stay open-minded. What lesson can you take from it, rather than focusing on its details? I’ve attached the photo in question below for reference.
This photo was taken at the Nanzoin Temple in Fukuoka, Japan, when I was there last February. And I didn’t understand the significance of it then, but looking back, I must have known it would be important for the lessons I had coming for me.
First, I want you, for yourself, to take a minute and reflect on the photo below. How does it make you feel? What emotions does it evoke? Don’t judge or question, just feel, acknowledge, and let go.
Now for the good stuff, the significance of this photo is twofold: one is the tree itself, and the second is the statue behind it.
Let’s dive into the tree first. You might notice the rope wrapped around the trunk that has a small white ornament attached to it. Now, hear me out, this is called “Shimenawa”. Here is the definition that I found online: “The ropes set a threshold between the mundane world and the sacred realm of kami, creating a purified space for worship and communion with the divine.”
Oofta. I know this is heavy for a Monday, but bear with me. In its most succinct form, this tree is sacred. According to the temple workers, this tree has been struck several times by lightning, and yet, it still stands. In fact, it stands stronger than the other trees around it. In Japanese culture, these trees are revered and deeply respected for their strength and resilience.
Huh….resiliency. How can we, in our own lives, emulate this tree and that, although it's been struck again and again, it is still the strongest tree in the forest?
I don’t know about you, but we all have stories of adversity. Of what we’ve overcome. How can we use those stories to make us stronger? To make us more resilient? To create a sacred space in ourselves to turn to when the storm hits?
Rather than letting the stories create the story for you, how can YOU write your story of resilience?
Y'all I meant to keep this short, I promise, but here we are. Take another minute. I know you might be itching to get to your “to-do list” or your waiting emails, but try to settle. Take a breath, and tell yourself that life can wait. This moment is for you.
The second part of this photo is the statue behind it. This scary blue man is known as Fudō Myōō, also known as Acala Vidyaraja. In Japanese culture, his name translates to “the immovable or unshakable one.”
Huh…interesting that he would be guarding this tree that is also steadfast and unshakeable. Once again, I didn’t understand the depth of this photo in February of 2024. But now, I understand, and I’m bringing this theme of resiliency and steadfastness into my week, and I hope you do too.
How can you be more intentional this week? How can you grow your roots a little deeper? Be a little more resilient against the storm?
