Men As Trees

When you go out into the woods and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree. The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying, ‘You’re too this, or I’m too this.’ That judging mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are. Ram Dass – Header Photo By Ben Zank

This quote from Ram Dass beautifully illustrates the concept of unconditional acceptance and appreciation for the diversity of men, likening it to the way we observe and appreciate trees in nature. When we look at trees, we see their unique shapes, sizes, and characteristics, understanding that each tree has grown and adapted based on its environment and circumstances. We don’t judge or criticize the tree for being bent or twisted; instead, we appreciate its beauty and resilience. However, when it comes to interacting with other men, we often lose this sense of acceptance and instead engage in judgment and criticism. We may focus on perceived flaws or differences, comparing ourselves or others to arbitrary standards. Ram Dass suggests that we can cultivate a more compassionate and accepting mindset by “turning men into trees.” This means embracing and appreciating men just as they are, without judgment or expectation.