Meditate like a tree

Ajahn Lee via Ven. Sujato (Gonzo Dhamma), Ellie Askew, Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

Some kinds of trees make themselves quiet in ways we can see:

We say that they "sleep." At night, they fold up their leaves. If you lie down under them, you’ll have a clear view of the stars in the nighttime sky.

But when day comes, they’ll spread out their leaves and give a dense shade. This is a good lesson for the mind:

When you sit in meditation, close only your eyes. Keep your mind bright and alert, like a tree that closes its leaves and thus doesn’t obstruct our view of the stars.

• What is the Thai Forest Tradition in Buddhism?