Gardening: What is Cultivated by Us is also Cultivated Within Us

After a long winter indoors, many of us are ready to reconnect with nature and get the garden started.

The cycles of yin (dormancy) and yang (action) can be seen in the garden. In the yin phase, plants hold their energy inward at the roots to rest for winter. As the days warm up, the yang energy is seen in everything blooming and coming back to life.

When we observe nature’s phases, we are reminded that we should balance our hectic schedules with time for rest and renewal. Gardening slows us down so we are able to see the Five Elements in action. As we work the soil (earth) with our tools (metal) we are able to grow our plants (wood) with the help of the rain (water) and sun (fire). Gardening puts us more in touch with nature and reminds us about:

Balance. Find time to rest between activities to balance the yin and yang energies.

Patience. There are things we cannot rush. We need to slow down and let it happen.

Gratitude. Be thankful for the beauty around us, in the garden or wherever we find it.

Exercise: Breathing in Beauty {from The Inner Garden, by Diane Dreher}

The next time you are in the garden (or anywhere outside) practice this simple exercise.

1. Pause, take a deep breath, and look around you, slowly breathing out.
2. Look for something beautiful; a tree, a flower; the sky overhead.
3. Take a deep breath and breathe in its beauty. Then slowly breathe out.
4. Smile and open your heart as you take another deep breath and release.Gardening: What is cultivated by us is also cultivated within usAfter a long winter indoors, many of us are ready to reconnect with nature and get the garden started.The cycles of yin (dormancy) and yang (action) can be seen in the garden. In the yin phase, plants hold their energy inward at the roots to rest for winter. As the days warm up, the yang energy is seen in everything blooming and coming back to life.When we observe nature’s phases, we are reminded that we should balance our hectic schedules with time for rest and renewal. Gardening slows us down so we are able to see the Five Elements in action. As we work the soil (earth) with our tools (metal) we are able to grow our plants (wood) with the help of the rain (water) and sun (fire). Gardening puts us more in touch with nature and reminds us about:Balance. Find time to rest between activities to balance the yin and yang energies.Patience. There are things we cannot rush. We need to slow down and let it happen.

   Gratitude. Be thankful for the beauty around us, in the garden or wherever we find it.

    

   Exercise: Breathing in Beauty {from The Inner Garden, by Diane Dreher}

   The next time you are in the garden (or anywhere outside) practice this simple exercise.

   1. Pause, take a deep breath, and look around you, slowly breathing out.
   2. Look for something beautiful; a tree, a flower; the sky overhead.
   3. Take a deep breath and breathe in its beauty. Then slowly breathe out.
   4. Smile and open your heart as you take another deep breath and release.