Anthropomorphize, Day 24

I was once reading about Staghorn Sumac and it was characterized as a "pioneer" plant because it likes to grow into new places.  It's one of the early plants to begin reclaiming territory.  If you had to characterize your plant in a similar way what might it be?  If you can't think of a single term like "pioneer" what are some phrases that capture the personality of this plant?  If it were a person what words would you put to it?  Is it aggressive, hearty, flamboyant, sullen, precocious, etc.?  What words come to mind for you?  Once you have those words, does any one picture possess those qualities.  For example, with my plant I find it elegant, yet unassuming and quietly aspiring.  For some reason a dancer comes to mind.  A young dancer, not quite sure of herself, yet.

As always have fun with this.  Come at it with a childlike joy.

What is the reason?, Day 23

A few nights ago, I asked my 12 year old son Matt what he thought the next plant challenge should be.  He thought for a moment and said, "What is the reason for your plant?"  Wow!  What an amazing question to consider.  If you have been faithfully whacking away at these challenges then you have both internalized a great deal of information about this plant and you have established a large number of connections to it.  It's almost as if each exercise has invisibly built a rope connecting you to it.  You now have lots of ropes.  So out of all of that knowledge and connection, what would you say is this plant's reason for being.  You may think about that at several levels.  Why does this species exist?  What purpose does it serve?   What role in an ecosystem?  etc.  You may also want to think about this specific plant.  Why is it here in this place at this time?  Once you have reflected on these things for awhile, give thanks.

What can your plant do?, Day 22

Go sit near your plant and do a short sense meditation to get your mind clear.  Then either touch or hold your plant or take a leaf or two of it and hold them in your hand.  As you hold/touch it your going to ask several questions and listen to your body for responses.  First, ask if the plant is edible?  What is your "gut" sense?  Do you feel uptight and uneasy or is there a sense of peace around the question?  Is your plant medicinal?  Once again, is your sense about this question peaceful or uneasy.  If your sense is peaceful then hold/touch the plant and raise the question, what part of my body would it effect?  Pay attention to your body.  Do you seen anything note worthy in your body?  If so, what?  Play around with this for awhile and note any results.

Have a Chat, Day 21

Visit your plant and find one of the mysteries you identified early.  If you didn't do that, well then look at your plant long enough to pick a mystery that you would like to explore.  Do a short sensory meditation to clear your mind and then imagine what it would be like if you could ask your plant about the mystery.  Have an imaginary conversation with  your plant.  What would you ask your plant?  Ask it.  Imagine it's response to your questions.  What would your plant tell you about the mystery?  Have fun with this exercise and when your are done jot down some notes from your conversation.