Nature Speaks: Spiritual Reminders from Sequoia National Park

In early May I had the opportunity to visit Sequoia National Park, one of California's 9 national parks. As we drove along the winding road we entered the Giant Tree Forest. The excitement began to build and we were quickly  greeted by these living giants for the first time.  I was in awe as we started down the General Sherman Trail and  I could  feel how different the air was from what I was used to. It felt crisp and clear and despite sharing the park with other people, it felt quiet and reverent. As we hiked along General Sherman Trail, Congress Trail, among others, I almost couldn't comprehend the sheer size of the sequoia trees.  I thought about all they had witnessed, all the changes they had withstood and all that we have to learn from them. 

As we started along the Moro Rock Trail, Andrew and I started talking about what we had learned at the welcome center. We learned that the Giant Tree Forest needs fire to survive and when the giant sequoias burn, they can hollow out and continue to grow with their thick, seemingly fire-proof bark. They actually need fire to create new life! Fire’s heat melts and opens the tightly sealed sequoia cones, allowing new sequoia seeds to reach the forest floor. Fire also burns away the underbrush and thick layers on the forest floor, allowing the seeds to access space, bare soil and sunlight needed to germinate. My thoughts wondered and I thought how beautiful of a  reminder this was for us humans. 

As fire acts as nature’s clearing, the “fires” of our life can clear our way and our path. It doesn't mean it’s comfortable or that we have to like it, but as we know from  Bessel van der Kolk's work, hope and knowing that the “burn” won’t last forever does make a difference in our wellbeing and recovery. Much like the great sequoia trees, maybe the fires provide us a way to clear and  cleanse the old - old patterns, mindset, or behaviors and  adapt to the new– more aligned life we are creating. 

As we made our way up Moro Rock Trail, our hike became more meditative.  Some of the trees were  bent, growing through rocks and granite. They  had endured snow, lightning, wind and drought  -- our gentle reminder to bend and adapt -- not break, because like these trees, we are built for weathering the storms that are our lessons in life, our soul evolution.

 Andrew and I learned that giant sequoias, despite their towering height, have shallow root systems and can be seen growing in clusters where the roots of nearby trees can intertwine. A reminder? 

 We too can thrive in community, connection,  and with aligned loving support. I loved nature’s reminder that true strength doesn't come from facing it alone, but getting rooted and grounded (yes in oneself) but also in connection and at the right “altitude” see what I did there? 

As we sat enjoying the view from Moro Rock trail, I thought about the legacy these living giants leave. While they are here, they literally make the earth a better place. They filter the air  we breath on a massive scale, improving  air quality and sustaining microclimates for many species. How beautiful of a legacy is this? Could this be nature’s reminder  that we also have the power to leave a legacy? And not from a place of ego  but from a healthy aligned impact of raising collective consciousness and spreading love. 

Being among the giant sequoias, feeling the breeze and the clean crisp air around me,  witnessing the vivid colors of green, the clear blue skies, the orange tint to the tree bark, the energy of peace, the sacred serenity of sequoia shade, and the quiet reverence of the surrounding trails was a beautiful reminder that nature teaches.  She speaks to us and through us. She reminds us that connection brings strength,  greatness comes with a grounded,  patient passion and persistence. She reminds us that  fire, weather and challenges can clear the way for new life and new directions.

 We are are all just travelers on this earth, in this life in this time space sequence we hope to travel and retreat with us soon. Learn more about our retreat offerings here. Thank you for being here!

<3 Whitney from Luna Souls