Each beautifully crafted flute we play was once a part of a tree. Within each tree, animals did dwell, birds nested and sang, winds blew, growth occurred and there was a community surrounding it. When I play a flute, I begin with thanks to the tree, to the sun and rain, winds and community which once nourished this tree. I thank the flute maker who gave this new life as an instrument of song. The Lakota called trees ‘standing people’ and respected their equality under all existence. čháŋ or čháŋ wakan (sacred tree or sundance tree).
That is what I am thinking about right now. Grateful and thankful for trees.
(If I knew who took this photo, I would gladly give credit to those involved!)
