“Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger.”
MacFarland Park, Ames, IA
Sometimes you can’t quite recall how you learned about a writer… you’ve started with one resource that leads you to another and another. The way you’ve come to know of a person is like an old, meandering creek weaving throughout the landscape. Once you’ve been introduced to their work, their words, their wisdom, it’s as if you’ve always known of them…
And this describes how I came to know of Padraig O Tuama, a poet, storyteller, and theologian. I can’t recall the path that led me here, yet now it feels as if I’ve known him my whole life. A person that can make you feel ‘welcome’ despite never having met. The sign of a wise and gifted storyteller I suppose. In Padraig’s book, “In the shelter; finding a home in the world,” he uses the phrase “hello to here,” a phrase that deeply moves me.
HERE
You are never any where other than here… this place.
Here, not ‘now’ in this moment of time, but here in this very space… here, in this place.
I rise…
hello to here
I walk in the trees…
hello to here
I cry…
hello to here
I love…
hello to here
I grieve…
hello to here
I rest…
hello to here.
Always here, in this place.
And while I don’t normally include paragraphs and passages from a book, today is different as I have found great solace in these words on my own particular journey to find peace in place. Note: the “poem” mentioned in this passage is the one at the top of this post.
“The truth of this poem is an old truth. There are the places you wish to go, there are the places you desperately wish you never left, there are the places you imagine you should be, and there is the place called here. In the world of Wagoner’s poem, it is the rooted things - trees and bushes = that tell the truth to the person who is lost, the person with legs and fear who wishes to be elsewhere. The person must stand still, feel their body still on the ground where they are, in order to learn the wisdom. …This is not easy wisdom, it is frightening wisdom.
So, “stand still” the poet advises. Learn from the things that are already in the place where you wish you were not. “
~Padraig O Tuama “In the shelter,” p. 9
Along the shores of Loch Lochy, Scotland
Rooted and grounded where planted. The trees accepting of their place, rise to the occasion, confront adversity, work collectively.
Trees… here.
The trees below are separate living beings, yet they’ve grown together as a collective… a community of trees. As the story was told to me, the leader of the Cameron clan had resisted the call to fight against the invading British… One afternoon he was was out planting trees and at this moment in time, he was summoned to fight in the Battle of the Culloden. He grabbed the remaining trees in one hand and planted them in the ground as one. He died on the battlefield as so many did that day…
the trees live on… here.
Cameron Estate, Scotland.
Peace tip #16
Here…
Today, utilize one of our previously discussed tips…
paint a mood panel of “here,”
walk to the tree and include “here” in your breath exchange with the tree,
or perhaps doodle “here” and see what happens.
Here… peace.
Thoughts?
Updates
Here are a few additional resources:
Ted Talk by Padraig O Tuama “Imagining Peace”
Monday was the end of week #2 and another gift-away. My dear friend, Susan has generously provided a give-away again this year. And it is filled with islands treasures… some small-batch yarn from the Isle of Skye, a pattern to knit a croft hoose, and a copy of the Shetland Wool Adventure journal published by Misa Hay.
How to on the give-away: Leave a comment on Day 14 by the end of Wednesday. Email me if you would rather not comment on the website (thehealthyknitter at gmail dot com). I’ll announce a winner on Thursday (Day 17) here on the website. If you are the lucky recipient, you’ll need to send me an email so that I can get your address. Plus on Day 17, there’s a little something for everyone!
Keep on with the daily comments. It’s amazing to read such thoughtful and inspiring, hope-filled messages. Separate beings yet collectively striving for peace… thank you.