What if I could tell you that doing almost nothing in the garden can help you have a better, more fulfilling and conscious vegetable garden journey? How can doing nothing actually be doing something? Let me explain the importance of stillness within our gardens and thus our LIVES.
We all lead pretty fast paced and hectic lives here in AUSTRALIA. Work, shopping, kids, family, friends etc, can fill our days without leaving much time to spend in the garden. When you come home from work, tired and stressed and pour that glass of wine or spliff or perhaps grab your favourite book to read, don’t collapse on the couch. Head out to your garden! Get ready to do nothing.
This is your time, a time to reconnect and relax, time to sit still and savour the sweetness of Creation. Humble yourself and immerse yourself in one of the greatest gifts from Jah. Life and Love. Time to OBSERVE movement of LIFE in STILLNESS. Time to be an active participant in Creation buY remaining still.
This is great for me, but how does this help my veggie garden and what is STILLNESS? I tell my kids to be still, is that the same thing?
Well sort of. Because you are there, without trying or using precious energy aka BEING STILL/STILLNESS – you are observing and connecting with your garden/Creation:
“Perhaps the garden needs a water”.
“Hmm those snails are really getting to the lettuce”.
“I will need to stake those tomatoes this weekend”.
“You know what? I am happy and content in my garden”.
These are the types of things that will cross you mind just by standing in front of your garden. Hopefully getting you to, as the old saying goes, STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES. Quieten down the stresses of daily life grind, and LIVELY UP YOURSELF in the essence of Jah Love we call our gardens or Nature as it were.
Think of it as a form of FORREST BATHING (FOR-REST BATHING) as in the meaning for the word FORREST. Rastafari say FOR-REST as that’s exactly what it should be used for. Resting InI (Everyone and Everything in total connection) minds. Groundation (Contentment and peace and deeply rooted) in your garden foundation is the best way to see what is happening within your garden ecology. Groundation is like foundation only, rootical, only natural, only upful.
You see, in today’s forceful, distracting world we often loose ourselves and need some form of guidance and reassurance things aren’t always so hectic (this is why we seek nature out in all forms). This CONditioning leads to the feeling of obstruction from our LIVING LIVES and LIVITY (living spiritually connected in light and life). Alternatively, it can also lead to the feeling of GROUNDATION. When one REALIZES the BALANCE is out, we must find Connectiveness with the I’niverse (Universe) AND ALL THE GLORY within. Blocking out unwanted negativity and replacing it with prosperity and light. POSITIVE VIBRATIONS.
How can we do this when we have so much to do. Another question of even more greatness is, how can you not. If we do not stop and smell these roses, soon come the day we do decide and lo, they’re all dying or worse, dead. If we had of taken the chance to reward ourselves and refill ourselves, we might have noticed the dying roses. Hence the importance of taking time out to nourish ourselves as we do our gardens and all other factor of life. We strengthen our body’s and minds, we must also do the same for our Spirit’s and for others.
Connect your daily ritual with your vegetable garden and you will spend more time in the garden without even trying. Stresses will become more prioritised and quietened over time as you get used to allowing yourself to be with your garden. This is not a disregarding of chores or responsibilities but rather an allowance of treating and being responsible for your Spirit and consciousness , making for a better existence all round. THIS IS LIVING.
The most successful gardens are not necessarily those that require a lot of physical work. The most successful gardens are the ones where people just spend time. This in itself is a beautiful yield.
So go and get yourself engaged with disengagement, go allow yourself the time to revitalise and stand tall inna your garden. For all the work that you have done, one day you shall be rewarded by the Sun/Son. Don’t waste time, tomorrow is not promised to anyone.
Big Up and Blessings to you all. Ras Mark SUBURBAN FARMER.