Kalpataru is defined as the "celestial wishing tree" from the Heaven of Indra. Below the heart chakra is a miniature lotus with eight petals, the Anandakanda Lotus, within which is the "celestial wishing tree". This enchanting tree, in front of which is a gemmed altar, is believed to hold the earnest wishes of the heart, not what one thinks one desires, but the deeper yearning of the soul inside. It is thought that when one honestly wishes upon this tree and liberates those wishes the Kalpataru confers even more than is preferred, resulting in freedom (Moksha).
Significance of Kalpataru- The Wishing Tree
The heart is essentially a sanctified tree. Its branches are yarns of a web of life stretching all through the body and then out into the world. The trunk of the tree is the individual himself/herself- the core, the being and the vital self. From this core erupts the roots, the foundation of the tree. Their pathways find the food and water that support and gives every human substance. From this core bounces branches, their leaves and desires of the heart. They gather together the sun and wind that makes one develop. They flower and fruit and fall upon the ground to grow again. All that is expressed returns in due course. In front of this tree, lies a bejewelled altar. One can make an offering to this altar, either something one is keen on giving up, like a bad habit or something one is keen to give to oneself, like ingenuity, allegiance, or mending. One can make this offering as a representation of exchange for awarding one`s own wish.
Exercises for Kalpataru- The Wishing Tree
Firstly, one must lie down comfortably. It is advised to take a few minutes to anchor oneself, get focused on and relax the muscles. It should be made sure that one is in an environment that feels protected and comfortable. One should breathe deeply in and out and repeat this in a circular motion. Slowly, one must become alert of the heartbeat and listen to its pulse. One can envision each throb of the heart pumping blood all through the body, by the elaborate network of arteries and veins. One can visualise each of these pathways above the heart as branches of a tree, below the heart, like roots to the tree, crowded with life. One needs to pursue the way of oxygen as it is pumped out through the heart, out through the chest, the shoulders, down the arms, into the hands, and back again. This must be followed again down the belly, the legs, knees and feet, and back up again through the body, and home, to the core. Every drop of blood that goes through the heart returns to be freshened again with breath, air and life.
Next, one can breathe into the heart and feel its sting and delight. It is advised to feel the deep hungers of the soul deep inside. It is better not to classify this hunger exclusively, but just to feel its substance. One must allow the feelings to boost, breathing into them. One can feel them through the whole body, pulsating outward, returning, and pulsating outward again. One must permit this hunger to fill the branches of the tree.
When the tree is drenched with the deepest cravings of the heart, one envisions that a single bird comes into the tree. The bird flies to the centre of the tree, tilts its head to one side, cocks it to the other and listens deeply to the cravings and desires that have been expressed. One might have a moment of spiritual union with this bird that lives within the heart. As one does so, one can hold the bird close to the heart and let the heart (not the mind) speak its requirements to the bird. One must allow it come from the languishing; if definite images come to mind, it is all right, but one should never search for them. When one feels whole, the bird can be kissed good-bye and lightly released so that it may fly away. It should be set free to perform one`s own work. It needs to just let go and one should forget about it. The bird will carry the wishes to the powers that be, so that they may be satisfied in the best way feasible for all concerned.
