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Forest fires, earthquakes and erupting volcanoes are just a few of the sudden shifts in nature that can have devastating effects on so many across the world, as we hear all too often on the news. But from these seismic events much can also be born, in time. Last week I was atop the Teide mountain and its National Park on the volcanic island of Tenerife, with breathtaking views and rare pine trees unique in that they can grow in volcanic soil and are fire resistant. A thick layer of cork that covers the trunk isolates the tree from heat and fire. One particular tree known locally as the Tree of Life was remarkable in that it has grown entirely horizontally over the last 90 years with most of its roots exposed. Being in such an exquisite environment was uplifting in itself but this tree was something of a highlight for me. I was filled with inspiration - and a realisation that it had managed to survive a volcanic explosion 90 years ago and had continued to grow bigger and stronger by bowing down and opening its roots which felt as if they were like its heart. The tree’s sturdiness and resilience reminded me that the greatest challenges can give us much strength when approached with humility and an open heart. What also really impacted me was the depth of this inspiration from nature, it was as if I was being spoken to personally. It was akin to the intimate connection I feel when in prayer or when reading sacred texts. The Vedas speak about three aspects of God: God as energy - Brahmajyoti, God the person- Bhagavan and God as the Lord in the heart otherwise known as Paramatma. The Katha Upanishad says both the Lord in the heart [Paramātmā] and the individual soul [jīvātmā] are situated in the heart of a living being. Prayer, meditation and reading scriptures are some of the practices that facilitate this connection between us and God in the heart. But outside of these activities it can be all too easy to lose that connection to the wisdom and joy within. Simple living in the company of nature with schedules which don’t over burden the mind and heart can be a powerful way to cultivate and keep this connection. On Teide mountain in the presence of the tree of life, my mind and heart were free of excessive thoughts and feelings. Maintaining the connection between myself and the Lord in the heart need not be a religious exercise and spiritual wisdom in nature and within can be intimately connected. This experience has most certainly made me want to spring clean my life to prioritise more time in nature and enable me to stop and connect more with the sound of my heart. But it has also highlighted the importance of understanding that nature is more than a material resource for us and should be nurtured and never exploited.