1515From A Bamboo TreeFrom A Bamboo Tree

Great Great LessonsLessons

Bamboo was used since ancient times. A highly useful material, it has been used by manand is still being used for a number of different purposes. It’s one of the most popular andinfluential plants in the world. What makes it so special and what can it teach you?

Lessons # 1 : Fast regenerationBamboo has the fastest reforestation potential than any plant. Any deforested area can bereplaced in a matter of months when planted with bamboos. This shows that when you fail,when there is a setback or a challenge in your life you should bounce back quickly and go on with your work.

A bamboo tree when cut grows back very fast. This shows that your growth and progressneed not be slow. You can grow at a rate you decide, let this be faster even in the face of obstacles.

Lessons # 2 : High growth rate

Every part of the bamboo tree from shoots and sap to the leaves and stalks are used inone way or the other. As humans we need to be helpful towards our fellow beings. This shows that whenever possible we should help others even if it’s only a small favor. Whatmatters in the end is were you able to make a difference. Did your life prove useful?

Lessons # 3 : Highly useful

Just as a bamboo has a hollow trunk, one should have an open heart. You should be willing to accept things and people as they are and should not be subject to arroganceor prejudice.

Lessons # 4 : Hollow trunk

A bamboo requires very little care, yet produces edible food and building materials thatbenefit the world’s ecosystem. How many of us give back to the world? We consume a lot, we earn a lot but only few give back to the society. There is no point in just amassingand consuming. You must also give back a fair amount, enough to make a difference.

Lessons # 5 : Giving out

When you plant a bamboo seed, nothing happens for the first few years. During the time when no growth takes place the plant strengthens its root system allowing it to grow very high very fast. This is true in life too, if you want to grow, reach great heights you have to strengthen your foundation first. The foundation includes your relationships, long term goals and desires and your purpose in life.

Lessons # 6 : Strengthening your foundation

A bamboo plant can grow in almost any condition which shows that no matterwhere you are you can grow, you can become great and achieve success.

Lessons # 7 : Can grow anywhere

A Bamboo is highly resilient. It challenges the strength of other known hardwood trees. It isa highly resilient material and has incredible strength. It shows that to grow tall, to achievebig in life you need to walk the difficult path. You need to be strong and resilient.

Lessons # 8 : Resilient

A Bamboo uses Carbon dioxide much faster than other trees and also improves soil conditions by preventing soil erosion. This shows that wherever you are you should try to add value to the lives of people around you. You should try to leave things a little better than the state you foundthem in.

Lessons # 9 : Improving the soil and surroundings

The bamboo sway with even the slightest breeze. This gentle swaying movement with the wind is a symbol of humility. Their bodies are hard and firm and yet sway gently in the breeze while their trunks stay rooted firmly in the ground below. Their foundation is solid even though they move and sway harmoniously with the wind, never fighting against it.

Lesson # 11 : Be flexible

The body of a single bamboo tree is not large by any means, but the plants endure cold winters and extremely hot summers and are sometimes the only trees left standing in the aftermath of a typhoon. They may not reach the heights of the other trees, but they are strong and stand tall in extreme weather. Bamboo is not as fragile as it may appear, not by a long shot.

Lesson # 11 : What looks weak is strong

Unlike other types of wood which take a good deal of processing and finishing, bamboo needs little of that. As the great Aikido master Kensho Furuya says in Kodo: Ancient Ways, "The warrior, like bamboo, is ever ready for action." In presentation or other professional activities too, through training and practice, we can develop in our own way a state of being ever ready.

Lesson # 12 : Be always ready for action.

The hollow insides of the bamboo reminds us that we are often too full of ourselves and our ownconclusions; we have no space for anything else. In order to receive knowledge and wisdom from both nature and people, we have to be open to that which is new and different. When youempty your mind of your prejudices and pride and fear, you become open to the possibilities. 

Lesson # 13 : Find wisdom in emptiness

Lesson # 14 : Be simplicityWe often complicate the simple to impress and we fail to simplify the complex out of fear that others may know what we know. If we could lose our fear, perhaps we could be more creative and find simpler solutions to even complex problems that ultimately provide the greatest usefulness for our audiences, customers, patients, or students.

Bamboo is one of the most influential and popular plants with trade in bamboo going up to billionsof dollars. This shows that when you are good, highly useful and are a good person from within money and fame will automatically come to you. There is no need to go after money, when you are good enough money will come to you.

Lessons # 15 : Highly influential

Bamboo is a plant that has an incredible value and is indispensable. It teachesthat no matter where you are or what you do you should always try to becomea person of value. I believe you can learn from these lessons and do it now!!!

The bamboo grows fastest around the rainy season. You too may have "seasons" where growth accelerates, but is slower at other times. Yet with

sustained effort, you are always growing. Do not be discouraged by what youperceive as your lack of growth or improvement. If you have not given up,

then you are growing, you just may not see it until much later. 

Thank You Very MuchThank You Very MuchSompong YusoontornSompong Yusoontorn