Life Is a Tree
Buddhism teaches that desire causes suffering, therefore, to eliminate suffering, one must eliminate desire (Nirvana).
Our American culture teaches us that “you only go around once, you have to grab for all the gusto you can.” Ads from media sources tell us we deserve the best and nothing less. Therefore, we should buy, go, sell, and/or live accordingly. By default, we learn that suffering is eliminated by having more.
Jesus had a different idea. He taught that this life is a “vapor.” The apostle Paul taught that the cares (suffering) of this life were “light and momentary” in relation to eternity.
Perhaps we were never intended to put down deep roots in the soil of this world. Maybe suffering comes from the tearing of roots too deeply planted in this life.
Join the conversation as we ponder the possibility that Life Is a Tree. In what soil are your roots planted?
- What kind of gardener are you?
- Are you planted, sitting on a mountain, or along for the ride with God? Explain.
- Are our roots too deep in the soil of this life? Explain.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I’m gonna have to say that I’m a little confused about this metaphor and not sure that I love it either. The illusion of a tree sitting on a cart to me says that while the tree is on the cart it is not growing…it’s waiting, sitting idle. A tree that is firmly rooted, something that must happen so that the tree can survive, is growing everyday and providing life to living things and others around it.
When I thought about the tree on the cart it also seemed so similar to the buddhist belief of cutting out desire…which is different than what I think Agora’s mission is. Aren’t we supposed to be deeply rooted with others? I think the answer is yes. Like Agora’s mantra as it were, I think that relationships are like trees — they only survive and they only grow according to the depth and length of the roots.
The whole metaphor just struck me funny I guess.
Kelsy
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Kelsy,
I agree. The folly of the first go-around became evident with the input from all of you on Saturday night. By the time we got to Sunday morning, the options had changed. We all agreed that one must be planted. And therefore, suffering is inevitable. But it helps to understand why. That’s what the metaphor does reveal: the why. Any loss, any grief or pain, is a result of our roots being torn up.
Since then we have had conversations with several who have suggested that our roots be planted in Christ, in the Word (meaning scripture), or wherever and whenever the Holy Spirit would lead. Each of these has merit. In fact, they are likely all appropriate.
Does that help?
September 29th, 2009 at 10:55 am
that helps me. I didn’t like the idea of the potted plant very much because I think it got too close to another metaphor we talked about where people put their car up on cinder blocks waiting for “someday in the future” to drive it.
the imagery of keeping our roots in this life shallow only seems to make sense if our goal is to avoid suffering. I think the roots metaphor can explain why we suffer, like you said, without implying that we should uproot ourselves.