Garden Sanctuary

Just Stopping For a Moment

There was a day, many years ago, where the sight of daffodils softly dancing in the breeze got me through a very rough day.

The garden in general has been deeply healing and therapeutic for me over many decades. There are those moments, maybe you have them too, when I sit down and rest from garden chores for a bit, and fall into silence…. And what is that? That aliveness, the living presence of it all — that which grows, sustains, and enlivens us all. It’s a good rest from what we normally take ourselves to be.

I’m such a “do-er”: big on accomplishing projects, prioritizing, organizing. Gardening tasks are much like life tasks, endless to-do lists, never-ending urgent calls upon our time. Sometimes it seems there is an inclination to fill the unknown void of life with activity–to diffuse the anxiety of not knowing what it’s all about. And can’t we all get a bit dogged at times in our opinions about what it’s all about and what we think we should be doing?

So, it’s ironic that taking few moments to do nothing and let all thoughts calm down can actually feel restorative and more…how to say… connected. Sort of how people used to sit on their porches in the evening, or how we are refreshed by sleeping at night. Maybe it opens us to more possibilities, more creativity, and de-fatigues our overworked brains? And what better place to take a resting moment than in the garden or your favorite nature spot?

Even as a gardener it is sometimes hard for me to put down the trowel and just stop and forget all chores for a bit. Forget all planning and improvement projects, to-do lists and analysis of all kinds. Just for a few moments if that’s all that can be managed, just listening, sensing, being … as my favorite meditation mentor says.

If you are in a mood to be soothed and nourished, to feel your roots and let all thoughts go dormant for a bit, below are catered posts from The Compulsive Gardener blog, focusing on reflection, sacred garden space, creating a meditation garden spot, or just taking a moment now to rest and let everything go while gazing upon the wonders of nature.

Create a Sacred Space

You might like to create a little sacred space for yourself for these moments–whatever that looks like for you.

• Give your body a place to be supported. Even in a tiny garden there will usually be space for a small chair, or a rug with a cushion from the house to sit on. If there is more space, perhaps a bench or a larger lounge seat. It’s nice if you can make it reasonably comfortable, so that you can actually relax.
• Define your sacred zone, if you like. Maybe you decide to keep this space only for this restful purpose, and it builds a charge of your own intention? Then, every time you go there, it’s a little easier to just fall right into a restful, inward space. Defining your space can be really basic, like the perimeter of a small outdoor rug or stone pavers, or a small nook somewhere bordered by a trellis or shrub. If you are fortunate enough to have a small garden shed or little outbuilding in the garden, a nook inside there will protect from the elements. I like sitting both indoors and outside. However, there is just something for me about the open air and the wind and the birdsong and vast sky that invokes a broader perspective that I have more trouble accessing when I’m indoors.
• Inspire yourself! If certain objects evoke a deep resonance in you, then you might like to include them as a focal point, like some artwork or statuary, stone or fountain for example.

Maybe gaze at the sky and wonder at it. It’s infinite! Drift out of the mind for a bit. Take a nurture break in the sanctuary of being.

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If you are looking for some guided meditations to enjoy in your sanctuary, see the bottom of the Resources page for a few of my favorites.

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