Don't Stare at the Tree

There is an interesting phenomenon in the universe and in human behavior that follows us all of our natural lives and guides us into the hereafter. I think the first time we may most obviously encounter this is in early childhood. And we see it all the time on America's Funniest Home Videos. A small child is learning to ride a bike (or more often these days, a motorized toy) and takes off across an open yard on their own. In the center of the yard is a single tree. You know what happens next. Like the child is made of metal and the tree a tremendously powerful magnet, the child drives straight into the tree and crashes, while the nearby parent stands by helplessly with a look of horror. Usually the child is unharmed (for the most part), and capturing the moment on video could lead to the ten thousand dollar prize. Why does this happen? Simple. In an effort to avoid the tree, the one obstacle to be dealt with, the child stares at the tree. This intense concentration on what is to be avoided focuses all of the child's attention on the tree, and predictably the child drives directly into the tree. What the child should be told is to stare at the open yard and she/he will most likely be successful in reaching that destination.

As an adult I've done quite a bit of motorcycling and have found that cyclists talk about this important phenomen to teach riders how to navigate corners (curves). Never look at the ditch, they say, you'll end up there. Instead, train your eyes on the road ahead, as far into the curve as you can see, and your eyes will guide your motorcycle on your desired path. Whatever you do, don't stare at the tree.

So what is the spiritual application? After all, this is a spirituality blog. I think the spiritual lesson here is profound. By focusing on negative obstacles in our lives, we are drawn to them. They become powerful, and like massive magnets that activate with our attention, we are drawn towards them. We can't understand why the trees in our spiritual lives hit us head on, causing us to come crashing into the ground. I have seen this before with a person who had a heightened awareness of spiritual warfare. He saw his spiritual battle with the devil as a concrete reality but by focusing on the devil and his sabotage (his tree), he spent much less time proclaiming the power of Jesus and much more time talking about the devil. The devil was very active and powerful in this man's spiritual yard and his life was filled with negativity to prove it.

We often see this in people with chronic and/or episodic health problems. Once the disease is enflamed, it becomes a central focus of the person's life, drawing important and precious life energy away from recovery and healing as this tree of negativity saps the life of a positive and open path to freedom. In dealing with disease, the focus on wellness is paramount to quick and optimal recovery. Be aware of the tree, but aim for the open yard.

We routinely see this in persons with depression. Whether the focus is inward (the tree within, if you will), as it so often is, or on an external stressor ( the massive oak in front of your shaky bicycle), this focus on the negative force draws you to it, consuming mental energy and spiritual power that could better be used aiming for the sunshine. Depressed mood always improves as long as the focus is removed from self and is placed onto something positive. Don't shoot for the shade of the tree, but seek out the warm glow of the sun (did you get the pun? Of course you did.)

So as you continue on your spiritual journey, become aware of the lessons you probably learned around the age of 5. If you focus on your obstacle, you will drive straight into it. If you focus on the negative person in your life, the bad thing that happened, or other things that threaten to crash us, then we could potentially be consumed with negativity, depressed mood, anger, and unhappiness. In your spiritual life, focus on Jesus and find yourself filled with that on which your place your gaze.

So remember: Be aware of your trees, but aim for the open field.