Third Week of Advent, Thursday: The Inner Tree

In the Heart of Winter: A Meditator’s Guide to Advent

All my thoughts are decorating the Christmas tree of meditation with the rare gifts of devotion, sealed with golden heart-prayers that Christ may come and receive my humble gifts. 
– Paramahansa Yogananda

One of the first heralds of Christmastime in our neighborhood is the corner city lots that fill up with evergreen trees overnight. The rows of cut trees seem to invite passersby to take them home, decorate them, and let the festive season begin. Among those who follow a religious, spiritual, or even cultural tradition of tree trimming there are many ways to engage in the ritual. Even if it is not part of your tradition or your personal inclination to put up a tree, the presence of Christmas trees is undeniable in the Advent season—whether in homes, on front lawns, in offices, government buildings, or shops. Many people treasure their annual ritual of finding a tree and decorating it, perhaps in ways that honor long-standing family traditions. Others approach it as a chore, one more thing to do in an already busy time. For those on the path of Self- and God-realization, this ubiquitous tree offers some rich symbolism for deep contemplation.

Beyond the physical activity or tradition of decorating a tree, it can be a rich experience to reflect on its inner, mystical meaning. The symbol of the tree has represented many things through the ages—the evergreen of eternal life, the tree of life from the Garden of Eden, the living divine presence among us, or the Christ.  Paramahansa Yogananda referred to the “Christmas tree of meditation”, which encourages us to consider how it can relate to the inner experience of divine communion. The tree can represent the body with its spinal pathway, the channel for subtle energy to ascend as one awakens to Cosmic Consciousness, signified by the star at its apex. As we reflect on this mystical tree representing our inner life, we can think of the gifts of our pure intentions we would offer to God with love and devotion.

Practice:

After your meditation, set aside a time for visualization and contemplation. Inwardly envision a beautiful Christmas tree with a star shining on its top. Imagine yourself placing gifts of love and devotion around your inner tree. What would you most like to offer? What brings you great joy to give?

Contemplate:

The traditional "Christmas tree" is a very ancient custom which exalts the value of life, as in winter the evergreen becomes a sign of undying life. In general, the tree is decorated and Christmas gifts are placed under it…The message of the Christmas tree, therefore, is that life is "ever green" if one gives: not so much material things, but of oneself: in friendship and sincere affection, and fraternal help and forgiveness, in shared time and reciprocal listening. 
–Pope John Paul II

Reflect:

What am I called to give?