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All Up In My Feelings – The Meditative Gardener

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All books on mediation or being mindful are simply not the same. Cheryl Wilfong has made this very clear by writing the book, The Meditative Gardener.

Of all the books on my shelf that I reached back to read, this book fit the moment. The Meditative Gardener – Cultivating Mindfulness of Body, Feelings and Mind is worth the re-read. Most books I review become part of my reference library or I find a fellow gardener to share it with. This is not one of those books to give away.

From time to time, there are words that suggest actions. These words tend to have me “all up in my feelings”. Cheryl has words that echo in my mind and cause me to reflect inwardly. Particularly because this year. I will not have the opportunity to #resetrenewrestore in my usual manner. My annual pleasure of choosing a faraway place, commit to seeing all of the gardens, and acting like a local has been revised. Cheryl Wilfong has helped me revise my mindset by immersing myself all in this book.

During this time of unintentional pausing, making tie to meditate allows me to feel ALL of my senses. It is mind blowing! Cheryl Wilfong is not just a Psychologist, but a Meditation Practitioner, and a Master Gardener, as well. Gardening is a great way to reduce and release stress. Meditating only enhances feelings of peace, as we consider how we garden.

Cheryl begins by using the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as the hardscaping for this book. The act of connecting us with our inner feelings as gardeners is important. Simple instructions provided by Cheryl asks the reader to choose one of the contemplations provided in the text. Readers can choose one daily, weekly or monthly. Choosing a contemplation enables the reader to practice mindfulness in the garden.

THE TOOKIT

There are two mental tools that Cheryl advises us to carry into the garden. Mindfulness of the body is number one. This tool allows us to touch on all of our senses as we garden.

Goodwill towards the garden, as well as the gardener, is the second tool. In short , this translates into gardening for joy. Cheryl reminds us to garden simply for the joy, not perfection or overabundance. Simply garden for the joy of being in the garden.

Whispering phrases of love and acceptance fertilizes our existence. Phrases like “May I feel safe”, May I feel happy” or “May I abide in well being ” all affect how we garden. By repeating phrases such as these, we harness the energy found in our minds. One of my favorite phrases is “May I feel safe”. I find myself repeating this important phrase daily.

THE ART OF MEDITATION

Cheryl suggests many options for meditating. As I read this book, an awareness came over me causing me to think of how I meditate. The innocent ways I engage with nature are a form of meditation. As a child growing up, I spent summers in the garden just laying amidst the flowers. I would stare up at the clouds and look through some of the petals on the blooms. Allowing my mind to wander, my extremities to feel the warmth of the sun, and my nose to capture all the scents wafting in through the air. I did not know at the time, I was practicing a meditative mindset in the garden.

Meditation in the garden should be an easy practice. I often wonder if my parents knew this as they taught us how to garden? From selection, sowing, watering to nurturing a simple seed. We were encouraged to be optimistic, to care and to give. The garden is the natural place to learn, reflect and of course…meditate. There are many different ways to meditate in the garden.

It is hard for me to actually say what the best part of the book is after reading it. The entire book was informative. All of the meditations can be applied to our daily life. One chapter that I really spent time on was THE ROOTS OF STRESS: Greed, Aversion, and Delusion. I found this chapter to be enlightening, informative and insightful on many different levels.

There are many topics covered in the MIND -Mind and Body Contemplation segment of this book. Cheryl followed up with a chapter called CONTEMPLATIONS. This chapter allowed the reader to investigate things like aging, change, even karma.

A particular exercise that melted my heart was called A Bouquet of Joy. The reader was advised to pick flowers from the garden. Utilizing all the senses, the reader should not look at what is missing in the bouquet. Explore how the bouquet makes you feel inside. It is suggested that the reader share the bouquet.

This book is a must read, in my opinion, for those who garden for the pleasure of gardening. The enlightenment of the mind and senses is a bonus.

Meditating in the garden should encompass all the senses…

Today I meditate, reflect and embrace the beauty that surrounds me…in my garden. Do you meditate in your garden?

Teri, Cottage In the Court

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Saplings of Strength and Survival

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Acorns are the seeds that grow saplings of strength that survive in times of crises and chaos.

Saplings are often overlooked when we think about the landscape. We adore the gift of shade that trees like maples and oaks provide. The autumnal leaf color is a visual gift as we anticipate the nakedness of nature during the winter months.

A SEEDS TALE

In the midst of the forest, seeds fall. Seeds fall, laying in stillness until conditions are right.

Acorns covered by leaves, tree debris or earth scattered by the wind help saplings grow. The best natural mulch on earth!

As the season’s change, the seed is covered by the loving leaves or natural debris. The seed sometimes awakens from within and sets down roots. If it is a tree, the roots produce top growth and become saplings.

SAPLINGS SETTING ROOTS

Saplings of strength happen when roots find optimal conditions for good growth…and survival.

I observed the growth of a favorite sapling which I see daily. While walking my dog about 12 years ago, she would love to eat acorns. I wondered if this was a good idea or not. No matter how hard I tried to wrestle them from Aminia’s mouth, the acorns were her treat. The crunching sound from that happy face was hilarious.

There was one area where an abundance of acorns fell. I noticed an acorn, nestled among crunched acorn caps had taken root. Seeing the two leaves signaled that it had found a home. I placed two handfuls of mulch in a baggie. Carrying it to the site, I covered its base. I wanted to keep an eye on this baby. How long would it take an oak sapling to grow into a majestic species if left alone? This was my prized sapling, the same age as Aminia. I committed to caring for this sapling, making sure that no large branches fell to hurt or harm it.

Time passed and I admired the growth from year to year. Amazed at the silent strength of this oak sapling, it began to branch out and reach towards the sky.

The year Aminia passed away, I purposely did not walk that way for 6 months. I knew the sapling was standing tall, on her own strength, firmly rooted in her native soil. Funny thing, I had to allow the memory of Aminia to settle inside my inner garden. The seed of what type of dog would I look for was planted and had to take root as well.

The sapling called Precious that has given me the strength to survive whatever comes my way. The exact dog I was looking for.

Precious and I now take the daily walk past this same sapling. However, now it is a young tree. Increasing branches and a widening trunk is a comforting sight to see. It has weathered the storm of severe drought, extreme temperatures, and heavy rains. I have seen children hugging its trunk, playing games around it and yet, it still grows.

During this time of uncertainty, we need to be like saplings of strength. Standing strong, staying in place, and considering the alternatives to our communities if we do not. Putting down our roots by reading the books we were going to read one day or re-connecting with our families is a good thing. Reacquainting ourselves with our homes or even starting a garden are great ways to patiently pause.

I am like that oak sapling. Exhibiting strength in the midst of this chaos and prayerfully will be a survivor. How are you showing the strength of a sapling in your home or community? Are you the sapling that will survive after the chaos is over?

Waiting to walk past our sapling that stands for strength…and survival.

Sinking my roots in thoughts of my garden,

Teri, from the Cottage In the Court

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Hollow Tree – Secrets, Haints, and Wisdom

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hollow tree of haints, secrets and wisdom
Hollow trees hold secrets, haints, and sometimes wisdom.

Hollow trees are usually diseased or have an unresolved decay issue developed from a wound of some kind. In nature, they sometimes die, fall, are removed instantly from the landscape or are disregarded as something on the to-do list. Hollow trees, however, hold secrets that are only revealed to some.

There is a hollow tree along a road less traveled that I have become acquainted with. When I first saw it years ago, I steered clear of it. I saw the hole in the side and thought that it surely housed “haints”. With lineage from the south, family lore states that a “haint” is a soul that is not at rest. If I could get close to the tree, I just knew that I would hear cries and whispers from the past. Imagined or real – I, to this day, do not get close to this tree.

We have, however, come to a reasonable level of understanding, this hollow tree and me. As the leaves flutter in the spring breeze and change colors in the fall, I always acknowledge it’s presence and the secrets it holds within. From the crooked limb above, I shudder to think what might have happened before my time along this less traveled road. I think of the stories the souls might share…one day. When I am ready.

Applewood Books, Inc., has a small set of publications called the American Roots Series. Publisher Phil Zuckerman chose a series of writings from some of Americas most famous writers. Booker T. Washington taught himself to read and write and his resume would actually put some to shame. I found this little book at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I am always researching African American’s in Agriculture to include Horticulture. Thank you, Mr. Bunch, for making this Museum a reality. I truly cannot say THANK YOU enough!

In the book, Booker T. Washington on Mother Earth, I found new meaning in my hollow tree. Mr. Washington delivered a speech, for which the book is named On Mother Earth, as a lecture at Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. Currently known as the Tuskegee Institute, Mr.Washington founded this Institute in 1881 so that African American men and women had a school of their own.

In his speech, Mr.Washington spoke of a man who started his successful business in the hollow of a tree. This man had nothing but the tree and the land it stood on. This was better than imitating a man. Comparing this to the mid-western culture where prosperous people started from nothing. Mr. Washington thought it best for people of color to embrace agriculture as a way to become prosperous. The proposition He left with his students was somewhat questionable by the recently freed African American community. Would we take advantage of the opportunity of buying land, embracing the beautiful climate and rich soil, to become independent and prosperous?

I will not share the rest of his speech because I think it is a powerful speech. It was not a speech that made him a hero in the African American community. In fact, many people of color scoffed at his approach to gaining independence through agriculture. I wonder how many would do so today? With interest in agriculture now “trending”, this proposition seems practical now more than ever.

Now about that hollow tree on the less traveled road, I look at her with respect, not fear these days. My hollow friend has stood tall for many years, roots somewhat exposed by water that rushes past when it rains. Through drought and snowless winters…she still stands.

Mr. Washington wrote ” You might as well argue that because a tree is planted deep down in Mother earth, because it comes in contact with clay, rocks, and sand, and water that through its graceful branches, its beautiful leaves and its fragrant blossoms it teaches no lesson of truth, beauty, and divinity. You cannot plant a tree in air, and have it live. Try it. “

He goes on to say, ” No matter how much we may praise its proportions and enjoy its beauty, it dies unless its roots and fibers touch and have their foundation in Mother Earth. What is true of a tree is true of a race.”

My hollow friend holds many secrets and probably some haints as well. I am not sure why I carried this little book with me for the past two weeks. I am not sure why I chose to stop and read it this weekend. When I did, it made me realize how much work there is to do to reconnect all people with this earth.

Is there a hollow (or not) – tree in your life that holds secrets, as well as wisdom from the past? Do you admire it from afar or choose to understand it better up close? Do you learn from the hollow tree in your life forest?

I am glad I have this hollow tree in my world. Her strength challenges me to engage with others in my community, share my love of gardening and embrace the beauty that surrounds me.

A few thoughts after forest bathing,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

Want to discover more about Booker T Washington? click here

Need more information about the National Museum of African American History, click here

Want to find out more about Applewood Books, Inc, and Phil Zuckerman? click here

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Mindful Gardening…

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Mindful gardening requires one to consider not just a physical act, but a mental exercise. To approach mindfulness in any situation, one must consider the intention or purpose of why. The intention of disturbing soil to create an area with what we might consider beautiful is usually done with a specific purpose in mind. This mindful intention can help us create the garden of our dreams.

Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist was just the book I needed to read while in the midst of home improvement and not being able to tend to my garden due to the ‘busyness’ of the year.

Recently I read a book by Shauna Niequist Present Over Perfect – Leaving Behind Frantic For A Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living. Let’s face it, in today’s world mindfulness is not how most people think. Whether it is gardening or simple garden clean up, most consider this a task that just needs to be taken care of. From the leaf blower to the lawn mower most people simply take care of the task at hand. We just want to change the appearance, make it neat and find something fun to do. I found this book a great tool to step beyond this mindset and become an agent of change.

As a garden enthusiast, change is anticipated annually. The fresh green leaves evolve in Spring as nature readies us for the next season. An abundance of diverse beauty evolves in the harmony of each season.  As blooms exert their last gasp of energy at the end of a colorful cycle of bloom, we should not be saddened by this. A friend who has a “perfect ” yard stopped by as the season was changing. There was a casual mention that almost pierced my inner peace, the joy of my natural garden. “I guess when it was summer your garden was beautiful”, she said. At this point, I realized she was not embracing the moment in my garden. The garden was giving it’s best at this imperfectly beautiful time of the year.

I see the garden daily as it evolves from a simple mulch bed with bulbs rearing their heads to the heavens in the Spring. When summer comes, the garden is in full bloom.  I pause to notice spent blooms and seed heads forming. When autumn arrives with finches and colorfully evolving foliage, I still find my garden beautiful. With the gray winter days, the structure of the shrubs, trees and garden art, we should positively embrace our landscape evolving. In my mind, the garden is always beautiful.

Referencing Shauna Niequist’ book, we tend to move through life too quickly. Consider what we are enjoying and what we allow ourselves to enjoy. Do we garden to beautify our surroundings? Are we gardening to feed our souls or to keep up with our neighbors? This book provides tools that encourage us to slow down and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

Part 1 of this book references a powerful quote -“Busyness is an illness of Spirit” Eugene Peterson. Shauna shares an experience that many of us are sure to identify with. No matter how accomplished she became, the more frantic she became. Her inner spirit and her body reacted negatively on many levels. Always having something to do or somewhere to be. In our minds, we feel as though we must check things off the list.

How can we change this to enjoy life or even our gardens more? We must learn the life-changing word -“NO”.Not always having something to do in the garden is a freeing experience. There are times the garden begs us to just sit and enjoy. To simply appreciate the present moment and not require perfection. A mindset that can be liberating for many. Realizing this before you begin to look at the garden as a chore is a beautifully empowering feeling.

At one point the author shares her experience of being a Candy Thrower. Quite honestly I can identify with this mindset. No matter how panicky those around me are, I will find something to break the tenseness of the moment. Allowing herself to become jaded decreased her ability to be a Candy Thrower. When best-laid plans dissipate in the garden, instead of whining about what I did wrong, I instead choose to throw a bit of Candy on the situation. There will be another growing season (prayerfully), another place to move that misplaced plant or give it away. It is not the end of the world.

While not a book specific to gardeners, this is a book that touched my creative inner spirit.  As we approach the holidays, perhaps this should be on the list for sharing.

Gardening Mindfully,

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