The Energy of Trees and Why It Works
Trees, like us, are living beings. Scientific research continues to reveal the intelligence and consciousness of plants, and trees are the whales of the plant world—massive, wise, and deeply connected to the earth. They carry an abundance of clean, revitalizing prana (life energy), making them an incredible natural source for recharging when your energy is depleted.

The main difference between humans and trees is that humans have a highly developed intelligence and emotional capacity. While this may seem like an advantage, it also means we accumulate mental and emotional baggage—stress, worry, and overthinking—which can drain our energy. Trees, on the other hand, remain deeply rooted, stable, and free of these burdens. By literally wrapping your arms around a tree, you begin to absorb some of the purest, healthiest prana available in nature.

How and Where to Hug a Tree Without Feeling Weird
Contrary to popular belief, tree hugging isn’t just for hippies and environmentalists. If you’re worried about being judged, find a private spot to try it out. If you're skiing, dip into the trees for a minute of solitude. If you’re hiking, wait for the right moment and embrace an energy giant like you're hugging a bear. If you have a tree in your yard, even better—it’s always available to you, and honestly, who cares what people think? Everyone has their quirks.

No Tree Nearby? No Problem.
If you don’t have access to a tree, you can still absorb its energy using visualization. Close your eyes and transport yourself to a favorite place in nature. If you don’t have one, create one in your mind—maybe a lush forest, a quiet park, or a mountaintop. Imagine yourself standing before a magnificent tree, feeling its presence, and embracing it. Breathe deeply and allow the flow of energy to fill your body.

Because of the principle of oneness, you can connect with any tree, anywhere, anytime. Try different trees: a redwood on the California coast, an evergreen in the Rocky Mountains, or an old chestnut tree standing strong on the East Coast. The energy is the same—pure, healing, and abundant.

What Happens When You Hug a Tree?
Hugging a tree helps remove stagnant energy blockages in the body caused by stress, obligations, self-doubt, and the many negative emotions we carry throughout the day. Trees don’t just stand there; they actively transmute energy. As Master Choa Kok Sui teaches, nature is one of the most effective ways to cleanse the energy body, and trees act as natural energy absorbers. They take in negative energy and release fresh, clean prana back into us.

Nature offers this gift freely—it’s right outside, waiting to embrace you back. The only question is, do you have the courage to try?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed in your day-to-day life—bombarded by thoughts of confusion, sadness, or fear related to world and domestic events—you’re likely experiencing an energetic blockage. This blockage is created by your negative interpretation of the situation and the thoughts that follow. Whether you agree or disagree with any particular issue, your mental health and your ability to influence change are stronger when you first try to find the positive intention behind what’s happening.

Every act, by every person—regardless of whether it causes you mental turmoil or outright trauma—has a positive intention. This means that, by virtue, all people are inherently good, even those whose actions distress you the most. While their positive intention may not align with your priorities or worldview, it helps to recognize that, in their reality, their actions serve a purpose and are, to them, justified.

In coaching, we call this “The Map,” which means that everyone navigates life based on their unique internal blueprint. My map may look like a winding beach path through the mountains of Kauai, while yours may resemble a vast desert in West Texas. Families and communities may share overlapping maps, but no two are exactly the same. This difference is what makes us beautifully human. By opening yourself up to the idea that each person’s actions are positive in their own map, you sidestep the trap of reactive, negative thoughts. Instead, you free up mental energy to take actions that align with your values in a way that is more understanding, compassionate, and beneficial for the world.

If you’ve never practiced this before, or if you have a history of being highly reactive or sensitive, this may sound impossible. I get it. This used to be me. I prided myself on being sensitive—a big feeler with deep empathy for anyone who could be harmed in any way. And while I still care deeply about the well-being of others, I have learned to pause, search for the good in others, and resist making snap judgments about someone’s character just because they have different upbringings, perspectives, or priorities than I do.

The good news? Practicing this is simple. The challenge is that it requires consistency. The next time something bothers or even deeply hurts you, ask yourself one simple question: “What is their map?” This will help you begin to see things from their perspective. How does the action that feels hurtful to you seem good or necessary in their worldview?

If something feels too big, too personal, or too painful to practice this with—don’t. That’s a sign that you’re not quite ready to take on the deep stuff yet. Instead, start with something less emotionally charged. Gradually, as you become more comfortable with this perspective shift, you can expand it to more difficult situations. For the things that feel too overwhelming, I suggest setting boundaries—whether that means turning off the news, stepping away from social media, or limiting interactions with people who trigger negative thoughts and reactions. These pauses give you space to strengthen your ability to see others through a lens of understanding rather than judgment.

Think of it this way: If something upsets you deeply, you’ll likely feel the need to respond. If you react with rejection, hatred, or resentment, you limit your mental capacity to do something meaningful. Actions taken from a place of negativity tend to fuel more negativity. But if you can acknowledge the situation without becoming consumed by negative thoughts, you open up space for inspired, intelligent, calm, and compassionate action. These are the kinds of actions that lead to real change instead of more division.

I’ll leave you with a quote from my Abuelita Ysabel Medrano, which is quickly becoming one of my top two favorite quotes of all time:

Much like how healthy, nourishing food leaves you feeling light and full of energy, our emotions—and particularly how we feel about ourselves—are feeding our souls. Most people are great at serving others and spreading kindness, yet they struggle to extend that same kindness to themselves. When we cultivate love and gratitude for ourselves, we infuse our lives, bodies, and souls with the healthy emotional prana necessary for peace and happiness.

Our default human nature is problem-oriented. We instinctively search for problems in others, the world, and ourselves. Most people can easily list three of their greatest weaknesses but struggle to identify or verbalize their strengths. Since emotions are energy, when we feel poorly about ourselves in any way, we create and compound energetic blockages that can manifest as illness or, at the very least, an unpleasant daily existence. However, when we learn to fully love and accept ourselves—including our quirks, imperfections, and strengths—we fill our energy body with the vibration of love. This has a profound impact on how we feel emotionally, how we think, and even how we function physically. Self-love truly brings joy and peace into all areas of life.

This isn’t about arrogance or conceit. It’s about honoring the divine perfection that exists within each of us.

If you’ve never practiced this before or if you find yourself doubting or judging yourself—perhaps due to an upbringing that didn’t reinforce self-love—it may seem difficult at first. The key is to pay attention to the negative self-talk you engage in and intentionally replace it with words of kindness. Consider that the judgments you hold about yourself may not have originated from you at all. If a close friend or loved one were to express the same self-doubt, how would you respond to them? Whatever you would say to uplift and encourage them, say it to yourself.

It doesn’t matter if there’s something you’re not good at—you can learn, grow, and still love yourself. The alternative—remaining stuck in cycles of self-rejection and criticism—creates stagnant emotional energy, much like never changing the oil in your car for years on end. Over time, this accumulation of negativity clogs your energy system, leading to mental, emotional, and even physical exhaustion.

As Master Choa Kok Sui teaches, "Love is the food that nourishes the soul." When we direct loving energy toward ourselves, we accelerate the healing process and allow prana (life force) to flow freely within us. This strengthens not only our emotional well-being but also our physical health, as positive energy radiates outward, affecting every aspect of our lives.


​Nobody is perfect in this life. We all have strengths, and we all have areas for growth. But one thing is certain—we all deserve love, especially from ourselves.