Guest Blog - Barbe Beaty of the Banyan Tree

The Banyan Tree “Community for Contemplative Living”

"Meditating is the delicate art of doing nothing: letting go of everything and being who you are." {Sri Sri Ravi Shankar}

For centuries, the banyan tree has been a symbol of sanctuary under which one finds peace of mind and internal harmony.

The Banyan Tree has a fascinating growth pattern: From its roots the trunk shoots up, spreading into long branches, which in turn grow aerial roots that stretch into the ground where new shoots develop, maturing into new trunks again... thus the process continues. This unusual growth pattern enables the Banyan Tree to spread over a huge area, creating many individual “chambers” under its leafy green canopy. A single tree can become a forest by itself, spreading its sheltering vault to a vast 1000 feet in diameter. In its grace, stability and noble simplicity the Banyan Tree truly makes its own statement.

It is not difficult to see the resemblance to the spiritual student or aspirant. As the roots of the Banyan Tree spread, so the knowledge and experience gained by the seeker spread to those around him and his environment. Similarly, as such a robust tree is able to withstand any wind or rain due to the strong roots firmly planted into the ground, so the seeker himself is less easily blown off course by life's crosswinds. The tree becomes a teacher in itself.

Inner work is done best within the leafy green canvas of a supportive community, through activities of daily life that express who we are and what’s important to us… living in true relationship with oneself, others, nature, and spirit.

(Barbe and the Banyan Tree are hosting several of our Peace Week events this year, including the opening celebrations (Sun), family yoga (Sun), the Tool for Peace Panel (Mon), and the Peace Through Problem Solving Nonviolent Communication workshop (Thurs). She was also involved in last year's festivities, partnering with us to bring Swami Shree Yogi Satyam to Akron.)