In this mindful lifestyle piece, l talk about my newly found passion to nurture nature along with my obsession with grasses and black bamboo! Along with a chant and an reading to ignite the more primal aspect of yourself.
Relatively new and to be honest fairly late to the game of gardening. l’ve been very surprised just how much l’ve grown to love it over the past few weeks. Not really sure if it’s because it’s just that time of the year here in the western hemisphere, where most plants are blooming. Or because l need nature just as much as nature needs me (at the moment!)
Nature the un-judgemental silent witness who allows me to make silly mistakes and watches my tears as well as my joy. A connection which generates a feeling of returning home emerges, memories of the past (being in the garden with my mother and grandmother, watching them tender the earth and chatting about all things plant based!). A surprising comfort arises, nourishing the anguish and replacing the negative thoughts with reminders of how to bloom in life.
A passion to nurture nature in this way, has provided a great relief and healing for me in times of change, uncertainty and difficulty. I will never underestimate the power of this practice, this practice of gardening which prompts me to change the directionality of my overwhelming thoughts. Busy with changing pots, my hands covered in earth a few days ago, the below sutra came to mind, one l used to chant a lot in my classes! (And it really works!)
When disturbed by disturbing thoughts think of the opposite
Vitarka-baadhane pratipaksa-bhaavanam
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
Pada 2, Sutra 33
Gardening healing distraction? Possibly but nonetheless an effective and productive one. Moving onto the water just over five years ago has had a profound affect on how l view the world, nature, myself and the connection with others. Putting me on a detour to explore another path, another aspect of life - nature and water.
Wanting a reprieve from our often busy and sometimes stressful lives, being with nature and water can be the antidote to help us re-cultivate balance. Providing great comfort as well as perspective, inspiration and creativity along the way. More than that it affords us a different kind of nourishment, one that we can’t always necessarily get from others or pets.
For more of these musings check one of my earlier posts below if you haven’t read it already.
Random connections and conversations
One of the most surprising outcomes from this new pastime, has been not only the depth of connection with nature but also with others, random connections in the most fleeting of moments.
‘Gardening’ a common thread that connects us can also help us re-cultivate and extend consideration and kindness to strangers (much needed in our world at the moment) l feel.
Recently on visiting a gardening shop, l was exploring and pondering on various kinds of bamboo (even picking a couple up and putting them to one side). However, to my far left a lady was viewing my indecision! Approaching slowly she started to offer some friendly advice on her experience with Bamboo. Suddenly we struck up a conversation and she recommended another place to try for some and mentioned they had 30% off too! Wow, l said thanks so much for taking the time to chat and suggest an alternative. With that l got in my car and headed off to the recommended place. Lucky for me l was able to pick up the last black bamboo plant (see 2nd row far right picture). It is in these simple moments where really can allow ourselves to be human, to be connected without fear, that in it’s self is priceless.
My gardening detour has contributed to me embodying more faith in myself as well as providing nourishment for my soul allowing me too bloom, especially after Covid contributing towards my evolution as well as restoring harmony.
*Note first row top right corner my first ever gardening bag! Sometimes it’s the smallest things that bring us the most joy!
Life and wellness lessons learnt
Of course you have to be in a certain state of awareness. Gardening produces a different kind of awareness, an awareness to your environment and the cycle of life as well.
As l’ve been designing my front and back gardening deck space. I’ve been particularly mindful of not cluttering the space with furniture nor lots of different varieties of plants. I wanted to keep it relatively simple and calming (as l felt that is what l needed for my mental health) and easy to maintain while reflecting the essence of ZEN.
After all our indoor and outdoor spaces are a reflection of our personalities and/or what we want to see.
We hand built this planter bench to house my two Japanese Maple Birch Trees. I have to say l’m really happy with how they are blooming and for the fact that l managed to keep them alive! Obviously the other challenge of gardening not to kill anything off!
It is this receptivity and awareness to watching how plants respond to the locations you put them in. We can then use that awareness we’ve cultivated and bring that into our everyday interactions.
Indoor nurturing
Taking what l love to do outside, inside turning my attention inwards. l wanted to create a small but effective and creative herb space in my kitchen. I love to cook with natural herbs (yes, there is also a place for bottled herbs) but having at least having a few regular fresh herbs feels different and aids a different energy to the space. Especially if you tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen!
I found this great quality and purposeful mini greenhouse at Ikea details below.
IKEA ÅKERBÄR Greenhouse, in/outdoor/anthracite, 45 cm.
(If you like interior design you can also put different stuff! pieces in them for display purposes).
For more ideas on interior and exterior styling head over to my instagram profile stylingwithsalema_ here you can take a look at all the renovations we’ve done since we’ve been on the water, the garden, outside spaces, repurposing wood, furniture. As we try not to put anything in Landfill we repurpose everything. So you might want to take a look if you’re interested in that sort of thing.
Continuing reflections
Just as l rejoice in seeing seeds growing, blooming, declining, dying and rebirthing. I am reminded of the cycle of life, my life and that’s quite a lesson in itself.
Prompts and enquiries to help you bloom
What are you nurturing right now?
What needs your attention in a positive way?
What would you like to grow? Can be anything not only plants!
An idea, a relationship, a business
What needs to evolve?
What would you like to see bloom?
What time frame can/will you give it?
What are you prepared to do to facilitate this growth and support the bloom?
An extract from Honouring Germination
By Pixie Lighthouse
Thank you for this miraculous day of reckoning.
Thank you for your unpredictable weathers which allows us to stay aware and awake, tuned in, turned up.
Bless the soil today for all of the little promises held safe.
To finish l would like to hold the essence in your minds eye and/or your heart this enquiry
What does it mean to really bloom?
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