Being mindful in the garden can be a delight - really noticing the sounds of the birds, the wind, one’s breathing. Seeing the colors of the rich earth revealed as I remove the yellow sour grass. Smelling the fresh air, tasting the wind, the subtle aromatherapy of lavender, jasmine, and rosemary. The feel of roots as they give way when gently tugged, the stretch in the low back, the little wooden stool’s support, yoni close to the earth. The quality of light in this season, this time of year, the time of day. This is being present.
I found my mind wandering around the metaphor of pulling out negative thinking, the tenacity of old habits, and the constant diligence to prune out what is no longer serving. Even noticing that the big weeds are sometimes easier to get rid of than the little ones - just like my habits, some of the big ones are easier to change, more so than the little self-doubts that creep in and take hold. Mindfully, consciously, intentionally, as I pulled the weeds, I imagined I was pulling out any cancer, any disease, anything that was strangulating my energies.
And then taking a moment to really allow myself to simply enjoy the garden, not just work at it. Just like in meditation, enjoying the wandering of my mind, with no need to do anything but explore my inner landscape reflected in the outer, appreciating the beauty, complexity, feeling whole and healthy - weeds and all.
(Excerpt from Laphrodite's Guide to Mindful Menopause or the Adventures of a Baby Crone)
