By Kahu Brian
I was once offered the guidance, “Give your pain to a tree. It will take all you have and give you energy and knowledge to heal yourself.” I thought of that today when I read about the demise of the Chestnut Tree that had helped Anne Frank when she was hiding in the attic.
Anne Frank wrote, "From my favorite spot on the floor I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree, on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, and at the seagulls and other birds as they glide on the wind."
Perhaps as humans we know we are bound to the life of trees for the air we breathe; or for the protection they afford in a storm and shade in summer; or, perhaps, just their age and longevity give us a sense of knowing there are things that have watched and lived long before we arrived and will probably be here long after we go. There are many reasons trees are important to that balance of life.
“Kumu” is the Hawaiian word for “tree.” It can also mean “teacher”. Trees can be teachers. The poetry of the language tells us that the source or trunk of the tree sends the branches in to the air…then the seeds to the wind… the seeds become the new sapling. That sapling is a part of that first tree. “Nana ike kumu” is the saying that says, “Look to the source.” You will notice when you talk with Hawaiians about hula or chanting or ancient practice they will ask “Who is your teacher?” What tree do you descend from? They want to know you have a good source.
It also begins to shed the light on why the people who study with a particular teacher in a halau (class) become ohana (family). The students all go back to the source and share the same origin of inspiration for their practice. It is a priceless connection from teacher to student who becomes teacher to their student.
As we look to our teachers or inspiration, each person can feel a comfort or joy or inspiration from a moment when that teacher gave good advice or was there in a difficult time.
I think Anne Frank said it well when she said, "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be."
That quiet spot might be under a tree.
