Nalini Nadkarni on Trees and Spirituality
I recently mentioned that forest biologist Nalini Nadkarni is publishing a new book, Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections with Trees.
Between Earth and Sky is an excellent book discussing the enormous variety of connections between trees and people. How do I know it's such a great book? Because I have had the honor to work as her research assistant in preparing Between Earth and Sky, as well as the opportunity to study with her while I was a student at The Evergreen State College.
Imagine my excitement this morning when I found this YouTube special composed by Frank Andersen. "Temple Talk" documents Nalini's presentation on trees and spirituality at the Olympia Zen Center in Olympia, Washington.
As a scientist, Nalini shows a remarkable ability to explore forest ecology from many different perspectives. Take a few minutes to enjoy her presentation for a sneak preview of her book, as Nalini Nadkarni explores just one of the many connections between trees, forests, and all us humans.
Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments!
To learn more about Dr. Nalini Nadkarni's work, explore the following:
Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections to Trees by Nalini Nadkarni
Join us to discuss Between Earth and Sky on Facebook!
Follow Jade Blackwater on Twitter
Arboreality Feedburner
Nalini's video is very beautiful! Thank you for posting it.
ReplyDeleteI love how she weaves the different spiritual traditions together in poetically explicating the wisdom trees offer.
When I considered some time back the profound relationship our planet, and life on it, has to trees, I realized that paper, which really is the gift of trees to us, has enabled us to develop culture, written records, financial histories, literature, art (in ways the unstable medium of data storage today probably can't emulate). And I wouldn't be surprised if somehow the neuronal development of our minds and our hands and paper and trees aren't all connected in some strange and profound ways.
Thoughts on trees...
Brenda, thanks for stopping by, and for sharing your thoughts. Based on your comments ("And I wouldn't be surprised if somehow the neuronal development of our minds and our hands and paper and trees aren't all connected in some strange and profound ways."), I'm certain you're going to enjoy Nalini Nadkarni's work.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how the more we consider the subject, the more deeply we find our human existence to be intertwined with the trees. :)
This sounds very interesting. I'm looking forward to watching the video as soon as my small sapling goes to bed.
ReplyDeleteTH, I hope you find a chance - it's definitely worth a few minutes to sit down and enjoy.
ReplyDelete