By Linda Wiggen Kraft
Home is where the heart is. That home can be our gardens. Planting seeds of our hearts into the garden lets us experience gardens in a deeper and more loving way. Just as seeds of plants are planted into the soil of mother earth, seeds of our hearts are planted in that same soil. Seeds of our heart are the feelings, thoughts and actions that come from within. These feelings, thoughts and actions go out into the atmosphere, into the soil and in turn into the plants and all parts of the garden.
I once heard the story from some horticulturists who worked at one of the world’s largest outdoor amusement parks about how some flowers in areas near public benches would not grow. Nothing seemed to work to keep them alive. Finally these flower experts came to the conclusion this was where parents often scolded their children and sent all that negative energy into the ground. The plants responded accordingly. The opposite also happens, where gardens flourish beyond compare because of the love of the gardener.
Positive and negative energies created from within have an impact on us, and our gardens. Sometimes it is simply being unaware and ungrateful in mind and heart, and sending those vibrations into the earth. Other times it is unkind thoughts and actions. Soil and plants absorb all of this for better or worse.
Mindful, loving thoughts are the seeds that plant our hearts into our gardens, allowing it to become a home for our hearts, and a garden that thrives. It takes just a moment to become present and in a state of gratitude. As this awareness comes to mind, it takes another moment to send the seeds of love into the garden. A practice of pausing before we head out into the garden and setting an intention of gratitude is one way. Pausing at times when we are in the garden also brings us to mindfulness. And ending our gardening day with a moment of thanks wraps the day in a tone of love.
A meditation or ritual of planting seeds of love into the garden can also be done, any time of year. Simply sitting down, settling down, imagining and feeling a heart warmth that goes out into the garden and down into the earth is an easy garden practice.
Planting word seeds is another way. Begin by writing down thoughts of gratitude, love, hopes and dreams for the garden year. These thoughts can be written on papers that can be dug into the soil and planted at the four corners of the property, into the garden beds or hung from branches to blow in the wind. No matter which way of planting heart seeds, your heart will find a home in the garden.
Linda Wiggen Kraft is a landscape designer who creates holistic and sustainable gardens. She is also a mandala artist and workshop leader. Visit her blog: www.CreativityForTheSoul.com/blog or website: www.CreativityForTheSoul.com. Contact her at 314 504-4266.