Embracing Our Unknown Through Creative Collaboration

By Laurie Marshall

The 1st “Co-heart” of Certified Singing Tree Facilitators began on-line in August, 2020 with 12 people from five countries. Though we were spread around the world, we co-created The Rowan Singing Tree of Embracing Our Unknown, as practice for healing heartbreak through the Singing Tree methodology. After generating a list of over 30 issues, we focused on the uncertainty in the world, co-creating a symbol that allowed the many unknowns we face as individuals and a world to be a shared experience which we embrace together. Each participant made an image using the Singing Tree structure of a tree on the earth in space. They photographed their image and sent it to me electronically. I synthesized their work into one symbol as well as printed out their unique ideas to be included in the mural. Each participant also colored leaves with the images of their gift to the Unknown and birds with images with their wish for the Unknown.

Studies from left to right by Jehanna Blondeau(CA), Gabi Lipska (Poland and England) and Cynthia Suddeth (CA)

Studies by Angela Ilig (PA), Anita Khatnani (Mumbai) and Bobbie Rae Jones (CA)

Completed Rowan Singing of Embracing the Unknown

Co-heart 1 is now embarking on facilitating Nature-based collaborative Singing Tree murals in their communities. For example, Bobbie Rae Jones is immediately using the healing power of art. As a case worker in Butte County, CA through the Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, USA , she serves the town of Paradise which was destroyed by fire in 2018. 86 people lost their lives. Just two weeks ago, 15 more lives were lost in the Bear Fire incident as fires engulfed the region again. People who rebuilt their homes lost them for a second time. The grief is too much. Bobbie Rae and I painted simultaneously on the “Embracing Our Unknown” – she in her Chico studio while I painted in my Novato studio. Bobbie Rae will be taking her version to her clients with a basket full of paper birds and leaves and colored pencils for whole families to pour their grief and love onto.

Bobbie Rae Jone’s version of our collective painting

Anabelle Hoffmann, who was born in Somalia and lives in London, is the founder of Heal Together. The NGO serves Somalian immigrants in the United Kingdom. She will be creating a Singing Tree to support the mental health of her community.

Jeanna King-Ruppel, a Restorative Response specialist in the public schools of Santa Rosa, CA , is partnering with the virtual Learning House public school community to co-facilitate a multi-media Singing Tree Project with 7th – 9th graders. Visual imagery, spoken word, dance, and music will be combined into a positive message.

Gabi Lipska, who grew up in Poland and is living in Northern England, will be reaching out to the immigrant community in the Cumbria region. She works for NGO CDEC, the Cumbria Development Education Center. The first Singing Tree in Cumbria will be that of Resilience – working with young people in the town of Workington to envision resilience on both individual and community level in schools. Minoritized youth have faced increased racism during the past few months as they leave quarantine. The project will help middle school students find strength in handling transitions from leaving the relative safety of their family bubbles to re-engaging with peers who have seen, heard and been affected by racial tensions.

Co-heart 2 of certified Singing Tree Facilitators will begin Nov. 6, 7, and 8, meeting 8 am- 11 am on Friday, 8 am 0] 2 pm on Saturday and 8 am to 11 am on Sunday, The early start time is to in order to accommodate people in Europe. Further information is available here.

Building the Beloved Community

by Laurie Marshall

George Washington University’s e-Co Leadership Coaching Certificate program asked the 15 participants to reflect on what they learned. I facilitated a collaborative creative process. Together they created the Banyan Singing Tree of the Beloved Community.

Just as leaves convert sunlight into food and drop to the ground to fertilize the soil, the Banyan LEAVES symbolize: What service do I wish to bring to the world?

Flying, soaring, swooping, gliding, flocking, pivoting BIRDS symbolize the free and inspiring movement of a coach in the world. The imagery of the birds answer the question: What is my wish for myself as a coach?

Butterflies

Humans begin as devouring little caterpillars. Most of us go through a stage when we have a protective outer shell while we fall apart inside without knowing that something magnificent will emerge. The butterfly symbolizes: How did the program transform me?

To see the complete reflection of the dedicated coaches which unpacks the genius of the participants, click here. And may you be part of the Beloved Community you deserve.

The Symbolism of the Singing Tree of Climate Solutions

by Laurie Marshall

The students from Ukiah High School in northern California co-created this powerful image. They used Project Drawdown as a resource for the top 10 solutions to reduce the CO2 in our atmosphere. Planting trees is among the top 10. Four trees are honored in the mural: the oak, the redwood, the madrone and willow. Without trees, there is no human life.

In the mural, Mother Earth holds the planet as she weeps. Her hair is on fire. An hour glass symbolizes the reality of the finite time we have to stop the warming trend before a tipping point is reached. At the top of hour glass is the pollution and burning and the destruction of the earth. At the bottom is the world where Nature is thriving, with bees and flowers, windmills and whales, coral growing and cows grazing.

The butterfly is a monarch, whose population has decreased 86% in the last two years on the California coast. Windmills and solar arrays form its markings.

The birds in each upper corner hold a city with wind turbines, solar arrays and roof top gardens.

The madrone tree is a female figure with a gas mask on. The students wore masks during the 2017 wildfires. They lost classmates and homes. They have an intimate understanding of the Climate Emergency. The figure is pregnant with the earth. She says “No” to the rise in the temperature, the rise in emissions, and the rise in extinctions. She has a garland of flowers on her head to symbolize the power of the life force of Nature. In educating girls, more stewardship of the earth will take place and fewer children will be born.

The Oak tree is a male figure. He holds a red panda in his hand to symbolize people as guardians of the animals and plants. Family planning is in the realm of men as well as women. Supporting boys is essential to create Warriors for the Earth who view all life as sacred.

The human hand offers a bean plant to Mother Earth. The bean plant is wrapped around and caressing the human. The message written on the hand is “Plant-Rich Diet” and “No Food Waste” – important actions to strive for to bring down carbon emissions.

The collective wisdom and imagination offering by “The Singing Tree of Climate Solutions” is a sign post of the genius of youth. They are “the brightest lights in the darkest world.” ( Alejandro González Iñárritu)