As part of karma yoga, the scriptures speak of five forms of worship that everyone should perform throughout their lives. These are called the pancha maha-yajnas - the five great forms of worship.
Today we will look at the fourth one, Bhuta Yajna - taking care of plants & animals.
When we perform these yajnas we differentiate them from mere service.
It is not that we are helping plants & animals because God wants us to, but because we understand that they are God.
At home with the children we perform this yajna in the form of tree puja/worship.
Tree puja is a very beautiful and simple way of being with nature, & teaching children Love & respect. It can be practiced daily or weekly at sunrise or sunset. Choose a tree and stay with it. Go to it and pour a cup of water, light a tea light candle if there is no fire danger, place a stick of incense and a flower at the base of the tree. We often ring a tiny little bell. Close your eyes, have a thought for the wellbeing of all plant life and let your mind be focused for a moment as you settle your awareness on the tree and only the tree.
Something remarkable happens which has to be experienced to be understood.
