Tree Meditation
El Camino Tree Mediation, 2020
4K Video
14 minutes 50 seconds
El Camino Tree Meditation was created from a conceptual process of spending time with and meditating among the trees on El Camino College campus from Nov 2019-Jan 2020. After several sessions of quietly listening and observing the trees and the surrounding environment, the vision of creating the final form of the video became clear.
There were numerous elements of particular note in the process of spending intimate time with the trees. Of course, most evident there is the visual pleasure found in enjoying the colors of the leaves and beautiful patterns in the bark. Beyond that there is much to discover, including a profound sense of how a tree provides home, shelter, security, and sustenance for various animals. The more one spends time with a tree, one further appreciates how truly alive and life-giving a tree is.
One becomes aware of how life in contemporary society separates humanity from close connection, but how innately bonded we truly are. Our own lives on this planet depend on trees, and we must restore proper balance and respect for them. Rooted in one place, trees act as silent sentinels and landmarks of location, and remind the ever-moving human to slow down their rhythm and tap into a deeper sense of connection to the surroundings.
There is a desire to anthropomorphize and this video reflects that impulse, yet trees have a very distinctive perspective of the world. Unlike humans, trees experience life with a consciousness both under and above the ground. Science now confirms that they communicate and share both food and information with each other through their roots. There is an endless amount of insight and inspiration to gain from spending time with trees, and this video is merely one exploration of that vast terrain.
