33. Indira's Pine Cone Meditation

Indira's Pine Cone Meditation:

We will start with a couple of quotes on the pine tree:

No writing on the solitary, meditative dimensions of life can say anything that has not already been said better by the wind in the pine trees.

-Thomas Merton

Pine trees with low limbs spread over fresh snow made a stronger vault for the spirit than pews and pulpits ever could.

-Daniel Woodrell

One of the things I love about pine trees are their beautiful and amazing pine cones. I find the structure of a pine cone fascinating and wonderful to meditate on.

The pineal gland is in the centre of our brain and is named for the Pinecone because of its shape. It is considered our biological third eye and the epicenter of enlightenment.

The Pope's sacred papal staff is topped buy a pine cone. The Egyptian god of the Dead, Osiris, is depicted carrying a staff with a pine cone on top as well as Dionysus of Greek mythology.

The largest pine cones in the world are found in California and can weigh up to 11 lb they are known as 'window makers.' They can stay on a tree for more than 10 years. Pine cone's petals are called 'scales.' The scales open when they are dry and close when they are wet to protect the seeds from cold.

The pinecones I have brought today are female cones as they are much larger than the male cones and they contain the seeds of the pine tree.

Close your eyes now and envision yourself walking in the woods. Imagine that you are standing beneath a large pine tree. Notice on the earth around your feet that there are many pine cones.

Now pick up your pine cone.

With the focus of your energy at your ROOT CHAKRA we will study the base of the pine cone, notice its marvellous pattern. Close your eyes and envision the base in your mind. We will meditate here for about a minute and a half.

Moving the focus of your energy up to your SACRAL CHAKRA notice the weight and the feel of your pine cone can you feel the prickles? Meditate here.

Moving the focus of your energy up to your SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA take a look at your pine cone from the side, observe it as you turn it. Close your eyes and meditate here.

Now move the focus of your energy up to your HEART Chakra. Take a look inside your cone notice where the scales meet the stem. Close your eyes and meditate here.

Moving the focus of your energy to your THROAT CHAKRA notice the colours of your pine cone. Close your eyes and meditate here.

Moving the focus of your energy up to your THIRD EYE CHAKRA, run your fingernails over the scale of the pine cone listen to the sound it makes then meditate.

Lastly moving the focus of your energy to your CROWN CHAKRA observe your cone from the top side noticing the pattern. Closing your eyes meditate here.

We will end the meditation with an Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.