A few months ago my wife and visited our favorite nature area in Danmark. We noticed state workers cutting many trees with a chain saw. The trees which were getting cut had red paint marks on them, the noise and smoke from the metal chain actions was terrible! We went away feeling worried and returned a few weeks later and experienced horror and pain, when many wonderful trees that give cherries and black berries every summer were cut down!

As we surveyed the damage we noticed that there were still a number of trees yet to be cut! Anger arose in me as I viewed the situation, it was hard to accept, but my calm returned .
Returning again a few days later, I asked myself what can one do in such situations?
I also noticed on this day that the workers were away from the work area (maybe on their lunch break?). There was only silence around and feeling the icy wind on a cold gray depressing day.
I wanted to scream to release my frustration as I did this a ‘light bulb’ went off in my head. I felt a click in my brain and took ‘action’. I picked up a nearby branch and began scratching away all the marks off one tree towards which my wife expressed particular love.
My wife was fearful of my safety if the workers would return to see me taking away the red paint.
I suddenly didn’t care what the risks were. All I wanted is to save this one beautiful tree. When the paint removal job was done 45 minutes later I was exhausted, my body warmed from the hard work feeling happy, thinking maybe this tree has a chance now? This tree was big and at least 75 -100 years old.
Before departing I was in some doubt.
I then thought maybe if I ask for Amma’s grace to please protect this one tree, the work to save it would not be in vain and it would have a better chance to survive?
So.. feeling a bit foolish and emotional, I put my hand onto the tree and offered a small silent prayer to Amma to save it. (I also kept this event a secret from my wife)
Some weeks later we went back to the mountain again. I was nervous that the tree maybe was cut down? I was worried ‘perhaps’ the workers had noticed my actions and the tree was gone!
Also I was contemplating ‘why should I expect’ Amma to save a tree just for one persons sake? The whole thing was making me feel stupid, on the other hand I had a strong desire to see what had happened!
As we approached the place were this tree was, my mouth starting hanging open and my wife and I started smiling.
We gave each other a hug…
We were both delighted to discover that Amma’s tree was still standing! Joy and thankfulness filled our hearts…
I then shared with my wife that I had also asked Amma to protect this one tree .
I don’t think my actions alone would have been enough to save the tree from the chain saw workers.
This tiny experience made me become more aware of the deeper dimensions of Amma’s grace. Now whenever my wife and I walk by this tree I feel Amma’s presence.
It’s been a long cold winter and my patience with the weather is running out as today it was snowing. The long cold winters makes me crazy and depressed.
Yet… It’s now my duty to share this experience that confirms the Guru’s grace can manifest through nature.

I like to think of this tree now as ‘Amma’s Tree’

– roger wohletz (Denmark)