<P> "The shrutis (a subdivision of the Vedas) and the sages say that the objects are only mental creations . They have no substantive being . Investigate the matter and ascertain the truth of the statement . The result will be the conclusion that the objective world is in the subjective consciousness ." (TWSRM, p. 479). </P> <P> Canadian songwriter, social activist and environmentalist Bruce Cockburn poses the question in the chorus of his 1989 song "If a Tree Falls" and frames it with his lyrics as a pressing question regarding the cause and effect of deforestation . </P> <P> Washington - state - based wilderness conservatory Northwest Trek used a shortened form of the quote in its mid-1970s television advertisement, as such: "There is no sound unless someone is there to see it or hear it . Experience it at Northwest Trek ." </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (April 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table>

When a tree falls in the forest song