Letter # 44: “Contemplate The Christmas Tree"

Woody Allen quips: “As the poet said, ‘Only God can make a tree – probably because it’s so hard to figure out how to get the bark on.’” Here in Vancouver, living in the rainforest, we’ve got so accustomed to the trees that we often don’t notice them until Christmas, when some of them are decorated. Originating in European pre-Christian cultures, the tradition of the decorating a tree during the dark days of the winter solstice, gained popularity in 16th century Germany with the Christmas tree, which is now a common sight during Christmas in many countries. But is it good forestry to cut down a tree only to decorate it for a few weeks and then throw it away?
Trees are not only essential in nature, but also carry sacred meanings e.g. the universe as the Yggdrasil tree of Norse mythology; the tree of knowledge of Judeo-Christian traditions; the Bodhi tree in Buddhism; and trees as symbols of immortality and fertility in folklore. The Wikipedia entry is informative: “The tree, with its branches reaching up into the sky, and roots deep into the earth, can be seen to dwell in three worlds - a link between heaven, the earth, and the underworld, uniting above and below. It is also both a feminine symbol, bearing sustenance; and a masculine, phallic symbol - another union.”
The Bible has many statements on trees. Genesis 2:16-18 states: “And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." This statement counsels that man is given nourishment and comfort, but is killed by the acquisition of “excessive cleverness”. Are we still eating the fruit of that tree of knowledge of good and evil even now? Are we living in an “excessively clever” state that compounds our suffering? Perhaps it is this tree that we must seriously cut down. Perhaps forestry goes beyond managing only the trees in nature to managing the tree of treacherous materialism.
Lord Krishna says: “The real form of this tree cannot be perceived in this world. No one can understand where it ends, where it begins, or where its foundation is. But with determination one must cut down this strongly rooted tree with the weapon of detachment (read “diversion to spirit” here). Thereafter, one must seek that place from which, having gone, one never returns, and there surrender to that Supreme Personality of Godhead from whom everything began and from whom everything has extended since time immemorial.” BG 15:3-4.
When enjoying the Christmas tree, try practicing a “good forestry of the spirit” - let the Christmas tree lead you to Christ. And remember humour, for a good laugh or a witty quip cleanses the soul.


God Bless; Allah Hu Akbar; May The Forces Of The Universe Bring You Harmony; Hare Krishna; Radha-Swami; and Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Dha Bhalla.
I wish to express my gratitude for your comments, which inspire me to carry on writing. Please forgive my fallibilities in presenting this material. Also, feel free to send this message on to someone that you might think would like to receive it. If you do send it on, my only request of you is that you send it as it is, in its entirety, and to not alter or modify any of the text, references or authorship information. Thus you will help to give credit or liability to where they are properly due.
Jas Bhopal
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“Practicing goodwill makes for a good life."
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References: "The Holy Bible" Online version; "The Koran" (As translated by SV Mir Ahmed Ali 2005 ISBN 0-9761870-0-0); "The Bhagavad Gita As it Is" by Srila Prabhupada (ISBN 0-89213-268-X); "I Am That" Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj ISBN 0-89386-022-0; The Dhammapada ISBN-10:1-84483-344-5; The Sacred Sukhmani ISBN 81-7205-098-4; Wikipedia.