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| Secret Garden by Alma Art |
How does your secret garden grow? Do you dig deep down to your roots to ensure they are being nourished? Do you reach out for help when you need it? How are you feeding your inner world? Do you have a community that nourishes you? Do you make time for gratitude?
As I reflect on my journey into
radiant self-care, supported by a group of students on a similar journey, I find myself sitting in the southeast corner of my garden, shaded by a nearby red oak. It is mid-day, 82 degrees and I am drinking the second shake of the day on the second day of my 21-day cleanse.
Yesterday morning I began the cleanse in gratitude by sitting in Birdsong garden, thanking the nature spirits for their guidance and support with its creation and maintenance; thanking nature for its many gifts and lessons of energy, seed and soil.
What are these gifts and lessons? They are elemental. New to gardening, I am learning the importance of how a good soil, balanced with nutrients provides a foundation of growth. Seed, pure and natural, untainted by chemicals and pesticides, planted with love and attention provides a nutritious crop. I notice when the plants are thirsty and how they prefer rainwater from our collection tank to water from the faucet. Sometimes I sit among the garden plants and simply breathe in the freshness of air, be it cold or hot, moist or dry, windy or still. I enjoy the fire light of the sun, a blanket of clouds and foggy misty mornings. On occasion you will find me in the garden soaking in the light of the stars and the moon. I notice how some plants survive the cold and stormy weather better than others and provide shelter when needed. I look for nutritious ways to feed these plants, knowing what I feed them will feed me.
I seek the nourishing and sacred energy of nature to infuse this journey of cleansing toxins, not only from this physical body but also from mind, emotion, and spirit. I seek a cleansing of relationship with self and others, old and new. I seek the continued support of the circles of community I belong to and I open to the possibility of new ways of being and the discovery of new roots. I open to the lessons of the trees who are teaching me the importance of humility, compassion and support. I open to the teaching by example of the members of the
Earthtribe who demonstrate these qualities in their actions. And I open to absorbing the teachings of the garden.
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| Southeast corner view |
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| Birdsong Garden |
I am nourished by this garden process and the lessons of nature, by supportive Earthtribe ceremonial gatherings, and this shared path into self care. Ho Ma-doh!
See more of Alma's Art
here.
Photography by: Deborah Doblado Bowers
