Building a Jewel Tree of Refuge

What is our support, our refuge, where do we find it, and why do we need it? We can build a “jewel tree” of refuge that provides support not only when we want to call upon it, but also in the process of building it.

This jewel tree is made up of all those who have helped you in the past, who are part of your present life, and who have provided the foundation for everything that is good in your life.  It is a tree of jewels because everyone in it is precious, and all are connected through their connection to you, just as leaves, buds, fruit and branches are connected from one central trunk.

This ancient picture cannot even contain everyone, and once we start to consider it – to build it – we see that our own jewel tree spreads out way beyond what we saw at first glance.

There are the ancestors of the past whose lives and DNA made it possible for us to be here, through whom we were given life.

There are the great spiritual teachers and inspirations of past and present who gave us and our teachers insight and wisdom, and who continue to be a source of guidance day to day.

There are those whose love and kindness nurtured us and continue to be a support for us.  And all the ones we do not know, whose love and kindness nurtured those supporters and their ancestors and teachers.

There are all those whose work makes our lives possible, growing food, creating art, building roads, doing all the things that we depend on.

And there is the network of friends, family and others in our present and future life.

The more we are aware of our own jewel tree, the more grateful we are and the more supported we feel.  And we become more conscious of ways to add to the jewel tree, building our fellowships of loving support, and growing in the ways in which we can be a jewel tree support for the lives of others.  As the ancient picture shows, there are groups upon groups, trees upon trees, each friend, each teacher, each co-worker with their own gifts and their place in our lives, and our place in theirs.