When the growing gets tough, you can still find your resilience. Connect to your sources of strength.
In India, the most valuable and spiritually-revered tree is the sandalwood tree, Chandanam. When harvested, every bit of the tree is removed from the soil, as every part is permeated with its own essence, manifesting as a highly sought-after aromatic oil used in the most expensive perfumes, as medicine to purify the blood and cool the eyes and mind, and in temples to open the heart and foster an expanded consciousness.
A plant’s essential oil can be considered its liquid immune system, on a parallel with what we call ojas in Ayurvedic medicine– a sweet, milky liquid that circulates and permeates every part of you with your essential vitality, your immunity and the contentment that arises when you experience stability in your recognition of your true self.
How does a sandalwood tree produce such an abundance of immunity and richly fragrant sense of self, even under harsh conditions? Just as pressure can make coal into a diamond, a sandalwood tree under duress can produce valuable essential oil. But it must have its fundamental needs met.
While the Chandanam tree is a great treasure, it’s not enormous or imposing. In fact, the sandalwood tree is quite delicate, and will be healthier if it is has a supportive connection as it gains its own fullness of being. Sandalwood grows best as a companion plant with complimentary, purifying and nurturing qualities, such as Tulasi, aka Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum tenuiflorum).
What conditions do YOU need to grow your resilience? To produce your highest value under pressure? To be frgrant to your core?
You can…
…plant your roots in nourishing soil.
…find good company to stand by you.
…cultivate your willingness to grow.
When you make choices to increase your resilience–feeding your root strength–you make yourself ready to let life’s challenges transform you into diamond, not crush you to dust.
Can you enhance your conditions to increase your vital essence?
Who will help you stand firmly-rooted while you grow?
I hope you always keep exploring how you can develop your true strength!
with care,
