What's growing in your garden?
- Laughing River Yoga
- Jul 10, 2022
- 3 min read
Yoga asks us to look honestly at what is blooming inside of us. At times, it can be challenging to make room for the aspects of our experience that are hard to bear. The grief, disappointment, depression and anxiety can feel overwhelming. Yet, we must. When we deny our feelings, they eventually show up and blindside us in a multitude of ways, depression, aggression, or self harm to name a few.
Yoga teaches us that everything is interconnected. When their is collective suffering, we are all affected by it. Inequalities that leave marginalized groups living in unsafe environments affects the physical and mental health of entire communities. One may even feel threatened by other people's suffering and try to shut it out, deepening the divide. In fact, to be able to see suffering, both our own and others, and allow ourselves to feel something, is a good thing! It reminds us that we are human, that our hearts have huge capacity and that in our shared humanity lies inherent dignity. This allows for true connection which is both healing and full of beauty.
I have found these words from Sherri Mitchell, in her book Sacred Instructions, a helpful vision for what is possible:
"Thankfully, even in this darkest night, we can anticipate the coming of a new dawn. What we are seeing now is only part of the story. In order to see the larger picture, we must once again expand our vision. We must be willing to step back and look at the long view of conscious evolution. When we do, we begin to realize that what appears to be a time of darkness, descent, and destruction is a time of new birth. We are in the long dark birth canal, and the Great Mother is in the throes of her laboring pain. This is not a mythical birth, and the birth canal that brings life into this world is not a metaphor for something; it is its epitome. Through this birth canal spirit is entering matter, overall and in each discrete entity. Slowly, spirit is awakening matter to the primordial truth that it is derived from and at one with spirit. Through this process, spirit is extending the presence of the Creator into the deep darkness, awakening all of the shadows and paradoxes so that they can be birthed back into the light, and eventually transcended and integrated back into the whole."
In each moment, we are being asked to create our future. How we connect to what is both directly in front of us, and present inside of us, creates a lasting impression on what is to come. As I look inside, I am curious to notice what is growing in my garden, and to get intentional about what I want to plant. I am looking to plant seeds of collaboration, open hearted dialogue, and compassion for myself when I lose my temper or make another a mistake. I notice how judgmental I can be and wonder what it would look like to be more accepting of others. I dream of a world where all beings recognize their innate goodness.
What are you growing in your garden? What are the pieces of you that need to be birthed back into the light? What support do you need? How can you offer support to others? I encourage you time and space to dream, feel yourself, love yourself, and connect with others on the path. Remember that you are perfect as you are and you are not alone.
written by Emily Garrett
If you have the courage to face "Granny1" go ahead and play her. Just know that once you enter that house, Granny is waiting, and Granny does not like visitors who try to leave.
Gardening often teaches lessons that extend far beyond plants and flowers. When people ask "What's growing in your garden?" they are usually thinking about seeds soil and healthy growth. Interestingly the same idea applies to businesses. Just as a garden requires planning maintenance and regular attention to thrive a business also needs strong systems and careful management to achieve long-term success.
A gardener cannot simply plant seeds and expect excellent results without ongoing care. Watering schedules soil quality pest control and seasonal planning all contribute to healthy growth. In a similar way business owners must pay attention to important operational areas that support stability behind the scenes. Growth does not happen by chance; it is usually the result of consistent…
What's growing in your garden? Whether you're cultivating fresh vegetables aromatic herbs or seasonal fruits gardening often inspires people to explore new ways of using natural ingredients in their daily lives. Many home gardeners enjoy turning their harvest into homemade products such as preserves jams desserts and baked treats. Interestingly this connection between growing ingredients and preparing food at home highlights the importance of understanding how different sweeteners affect texture flavor and overall quality.
When creating homemade candies fruit spreads or bakery items one ingredient that frequently attracts attention is liquid glucose. This versatile syrup is valued for its ability to improve texture retain moisture and prevent unwanted crystallization. Bakers and confectioners often rely on it when they want smoother…
What's growing in your garden? For many people the answer includes vegetables herbs flowers or fruit-bearing plants that require regular care and attention. Gardening teaches an important lesson about growth. Healthy plants do not appear overnight. They need proper planning consistent maintenance and the right environment to thrive. Interestingly the same principle applies to businesses. Whether someone is nurturing a small startup or managing an expanding company long-term success depends on creating strong foundations and maintaining them over time.
Another factor to consider is that growth often brings new responsibilities. In a garden larger plants may require additional support pruning and protection from pests. Similarly when a business begins to expand owners must focus on more than products and customers…
One of the best things about gardening is that it slowly changes the way we think about food. When you grow your own tomatoes spinach herbs or even simple seasonal vegetables you naturally become more aware of what goes into your daily meals. Interestingly this connects to a much bigger conversation happening today around nutrition and long-term wellness. More people are now paying attention to how food choices affect energy immunity and especially heart health.
Fresh produce from home gardens often encourages healthier cooking habits because people start choosing natural ingredients over processed options. Another factor to consider is that many traditional homemade meals already include several heart healthy foods that support better circulation and overall wellness. Simple ingredients like…