The Tree of Life

Do you know the truth about the Tree of Life?

The tree of life is like the essence for all things connected and growing. It is the first universal network of all living things across time and space. The tree of life is a concept that pops up in numerous cultures and mythology, symbolizing everything from the interconnectedness of all life to spiritual growth. 

Charles Darwin (1809-1882) was an English Biologist that used the metaphor of a Tree of Life to conceptualize his theory on evolution. The Tree of Life he created is the description between the relationships of organisms. He introduced this theory in his 1859 book “On the Origin of Species.” He used it to describe how all living organisms are related through evolution. Over time this theory has been refined with modern genetics research. This is clear evidence of oneness and how everything is related. 

“The affinities of all the beings of the same class have sometimes been represented by a great tree. I believe this simile largely speaks the truth.”

— Charles Darwin

Each organism is a unique expression of the universal connection. Each organism interacts with its environment with that shared connection. For example, John Clauser and Stuart Freedman, both physicists in 1972 tested the quantum entanglement by performing an experiment to test Bell’s inequality. They demonstrated that particles can indeed be entangled from a distance. They discovered when a particle is separated into two particles it retains a link with its partner. When one particle has a reaction the other has an instant reaction no matter the distance between the particles. This proves the theory of oneness as does the tree of Life. 

Some believe the Tree of Life is an external force, but in reality, it is internal. It is no more separate from the body than the Divine. Now that we understand that particles are connected and how oneness ties into everything, we can conclude that unity runs through existence. Just as we discovered the interconnected nature of particles in the universe, spirituality teaches us that our connections go beyond the physical realm. The Tree of Life symbolizes that divine presence within us, reminding us that we are part of a greater whole. This spiritual connection is an integral part of our existence, mirroring the unity seen in nature and the cosmos.

Before you squash that spider, just remember you're also squashing a tiny piece of your shared existence.

What does the Tree of Life mean to you?