Saskatoon Afforestation Areas. The cathedral of the forest.

"In that vast evergreen forest Nature works in perfect rhythm; roots digging deep or exploring nearer the surface for food and moisture. Imperceptibly Nature builds those mighty pillars with aisles innumerable, arches multiplex, in the cathedral of the forest.~Richard St. Barbe Baker My Life My Trees

 

In the tranquil embrace of a forest, we step into a living cathedral of beauty and awe. As we traverse through the arboreal sanctuary, we undergo a profound transformation. The towering trees, intertwined canopies, and dancing light create a sacred ambiance, reminiscent of cathedral grandeur. Science unveils a fraction of this sacred experience, revealing that compounds emitted by the forest uplift our mood, affecting the brain through our immune system. Forests, akin to hallowed churches, exude a stillness and reverence. 

They are temples, cathedrals adorned with tree canopies and ethereal light. An old-growth forest, with its tangled abundance, is a riotous cathedral of life. Massive, decades-old trees rise amidst moss and ferns, creating a tapestry of existence. Life intertwines, leaving no surface bare. The air is filled with the scent of conifers and the earthy must of soil. In this cathedral, time unfolds in layers beyond human reckoning. Moss, growing slowly, blankets everything, and trees bend towards openings they filled centuries ago. As we walk, we discover the intricate networks sustaining life. Older trees nurture their young, anchoring complex networks that link entire stands. A complex web of mycorrhizal fungi, forming cooperative guilds, exemplifies a common good within the forest.

 

 Nîhiyaw tâpisinowin is a holistic perspective deeply rooted in reciprocity, interconnectedness, and interdependence as explained by Art Napoleon. It's not something you can break down or isolate—it's a complete paradigm that shapes the nîhiyaw way of seeing and understanding life. This mindset encompasses a comprehensive worldview, embracing relationships between humans, land, animals, and spirits. The essence of nîhiyaw tâpisinowin lies in its unity, where ecological knowledge seamlessly intertwines with spiritual and cosmological beliefs, emphasizing the inseparable nature of these connections. 

This research is not just scientific; it's a revelation of profound interrelatedness. In an old-growth forest, creation's interconnectedness is a truth observed and participated in. Lessons unfold: creation's interrelatedness, our participation in this truth, and an ethos of attentiveness expanding our moral imagination. The first lesson mirrors Laudato si': "everything is interconnected." Intact ecosystems serve as sacraments of the Holocene, reminding us of our evolution. 

 

No plant, animal, or species is an island; niches are multidimensional relationships. The forest reveals a reflection of the relational character of the triune God, connecting ecological attentiveness to Trinitarian spirituality. Human growth and sanctification happen in communion with God, others, and all creatures. A spirituality of global solidarity emerges, echoing the mystery of the Trinity. Our disruptions now reach planetary scale, demanding humility in our actions.

 

 Will we remain indifferent or open our eyes to creation's astounding complexity, responding in love? As we marvel at a single tree's beauty, the forest, a society of living things, captures our awe. It stands as a testament to permanence, renewal, and the invaluable role of trees. Each tree, tall and sinewy, contributes to a harmonious assembly called a forest. In the play of light and shadow, the forest mimics the effects of gothic tracery and churchly hues, evoking the timeless beauty of human invention.

 

 In the words of Richard St. Barbe Baker, the forest works in perfect rhythm, building mighty pillars and arches in the cathedral of nature. Stepping into this cathedral, we are forever changed, our souls attuned to the sacred symphony of creation. Music CC Deva Premal & Miten: Guru Mantra from Songs for the Sangha 

 

http://friendsareas.ca/ 

friendsafforestation @gmail.com 

https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com