The Spiritual Side of Gardening:
A Process Approach
Today, many people who are interested in helping to create a better world and in finding nourishment for daily life turn to backyard and community gardening. They sense that there is a spiritual side to gardening, as well as a hands-on side and an intellectual side. Gardening is a holistic process, involving head, hands, and heart.
The poet William Blake is well known for inviting us to see the universe in a grain of sand and heaven in a wildflower. Process theologians invite us to see the universe in the home garden. In a garden no less than a moment of human experience, the many become one and are increased by one.
The questions below encourage gardeners to explore the spiritual dimensions of the gardening process. These questions build upon the alphabet of spiritual literacy developed by one of the world's most influential interfaith organizations, Spirituality and Practice. The alphabet speaks to thirty-seven qualities of heart and mind that touch a deeper dimension of life and can be embodied by people of all ages and faith traditions, and by spiritual independents.
In the context of process theology, these qualities are what we mean by "richness of experience" in daily life. Many of us understand "richness of experience" or "the enjoyment of being alive" as the heart of spirituality. Those of us who believe in God will understand the qualities as ways of touching and being touched by God. Those who have our doubts about God can understand them as ways of touching and being touched by the healing impulses of a living universe and living Earth. Both can be true: a home garden can be a place where both God and the universe are co-present.
By reflecting on these aspects, gardeners can deepen our connection with the living Earth, ourselves, and the broader universe. We can partake of that healing that is sorely needed in our time, and be in community with others who do the same. This is why one organization in the process community, the Eco-Gardening Cohort, is so pioneering. Click here for more on the cohort. We hope you will take the questions, add some of your own, and share with others.
The poet William Blake is well known for inviting us to see the universe in a grain of sand and heaven in a wildflower. Process theologians invite us to see the universe in the home garden. In a garden no less than a moment of human experience, the many become one and are increased by one.
The questions below encourage gardeners to explore the spiritual dimensions of the gardening process. These questions build upon the alphabet of spiritual literacy developed by one of the world's most influential interfaith organizations, Spirituality and Practice. The alphabet speaks to thirty-seven qualities of heart and mind that touch a deeper dimension of life and can be embodied by people of all ages and faith traditions, and by spiritual independents.
In the context of process theology, these qualities are what we mean by "richness of experience" in daily life. Many of us understand "richness of experience" or "the enjoyment of being alive" as the heart of spirituality. Those of us who believe in God will understand the qualities as ways of touching and being touched by God. Those who have our doubts about God can understand them as ways of touching and being touched by the healing impulses of a living universe and living Earth. Both can be true: a home garden can be a place where both God and the universe are co-present.
By reflecting on these aspects, gardeners can deepen our connection with the living Earth, ourselves, and the broader universe. We can partake of that healing that is sorely needed in our time, and be in community with others who do the same. This is why one organization in the process community, the Eco-Gardening Cohort, is so pioneering. Click here for more on the cohort. We hope you will take the questions, add some of your own, and share with others.
- Attention:
- How does the act of tending to my garden allow me to cultivate a sense of mindfulness and focused attention?
- What details in my garden often go unnoticed? How can I enhance my awareness of them?
- Beauty:
- How does the beauty I create or witness in my garden reflect the beauty within myself and the world around me?
- In what ways can I intentionally design my garden to evoke a sense of aesthetic appreciation and inspiration?
- Being Present:
- How does gardening help me let go of past concerns and future worries, allowing me to fully embrace the present moment?
- What techniques can I employ to ground myself in the "here and now" while working in my garden?
- Compassion:
- How can my gardening practices reflect a sense of care and compassion for all living beings, including plants, insects, and the ecosystem as a whole?
- How do acts of kindness toward my garden translate into a more compassionate approach to life in general?
- Connections:
- What connections do I observe between the growth and interdependence of plants in my garden and the interconnectedness of all life?
- How can I foster a greater sense of connection between my garden and the larger natural world?
- Devotion:
- How does my commitment to nurturing my garden reflect the idea of devotion and dedication in my own spiritual journey?
- What rituals or practices can I establish to honor the time and effort I invest in my garden?
- Enthusiasm:
- How does my enthusiasm for gardening mirror my enthusiasm for personal growth and spiritual exploration?
- How can I infuse my gardening routine with a sense of joy and excitement?
- Faith:
- How does the process of planting seeds and nurturing plants reflect the concept of having faith in the unseen and the potential for growth?
- What moments in my gardening journey challenge me to trust in the natural cycles of life and transformation?
- Forgiveness:
- How can my experiences in dealing with setbacks or mistakes in my garden serve as opportunities for practicing forgiveness and self-compassion?
- What lessons can I learn from the process of letting go and allowing new growth to emerge?
- Grace:
- In what ways do unexpected moments of beauty, balance, and harmony in my garden remind me of the presence of grace in my life?
- How can I create spaces within my garden that embody a sense of elegance and gracefulness?
- Gratitude:
- How can I cultivate a sense of gratitude for the abundance and beauty that my garden provides?
- What moments in my gardening journey evoke feelings of thankfulness and appreciation?
- Hope:
- How does the act of planting seeds and nurturing plants reflect my belief in the potential for growth and transformation?
- What aspects of my gardening process give me a sense of hope for the future?
- Hospitality:
- How can my garden be a space of welcome and inclusivity for both visitors and the natural world?
- In what ways does my garden mirror the concept of creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in my life?
- Imagination:
- How does my creativity come into play when designing and envisioning my garden space?
- What imaginative elements can I introduce to my garden to make it a reflection of my inner world?
- Joy:
- How do moments of delight and pleasure in my garden connect to my own sense of inner joy and contentment?
- What activities or practices can I incorporate into my gardening routine to enhance my experience of joy?
- Justice:
- How can my gardening practices contribute to environmental sustainability and the well-being of the ecosystem?
- What choices can I make in my garden that align with principles of fairness, equity, and ethical treatment?
- Kindness:
- How do acts of kindness toward my garden and its inhabitants reflect my capacity for kindness in my daily interactions?
- What gestures of care can I extend to my garden that mirror my intentions to be kind and compassionate?
- Listening:
- How does taking the time to observe and listen to the rhythms of my garden enhance my ability to be attentive in other areas of my life?
- What messages or insights can I glean from truly tuning in to the sounds and sensations of my garden space?
- Love:
- How does the love and care I invest in my garden resonate with my broader capacity to love and connect with others?
- How can my garden become a symbol of love and nurturing, both for myself and for the environment?
- Meaning:
- What deeper meanings or insights do I find within the processes and cycles of growth and decay in my garden?
- How can I intentionally infuse my gardening activities with a sense of purpose and significance?
- Nurturing:
- How does the act of nurturing plants align with my own desire to care for and support the growth of others?
- What parallels exist between the way I tend to my garden and the way I provide care in my personal relationships?
- Openness:
- In what ways can my garden serve as a metaphor for embracing change, new experiences, and the unknown?
- How can I create a garden environment that encourages openness and exploration?
- Peace:
- How does spending time in my garden contribute to a sense of inner calm and tranquility?
- What elements or practices in my garden space promote feelings of serenity and peace?
- Play:
- How can my gardening activities incorporate an element of playfulness and creative expression?
- In what ways does play within my garden space reflect my desire to maintain a sense of childlike wonder?
- Questing:
- How does my gardening journey parallel my own quest for self-discovery, growth, and spiritual understanding?
- What aspirations and goals can I set for my garden that align with my broader life journey?
- Reverence:
- How can I approach my garden with a sense of reverence and respect for the life and beauty it holds?
- In what ways does tending to my garden allow me to connect with a deeper sense of the sacred?
- Shadow:
- How does acknowledging the challenges and difficulties in my garden mirror my willingness to confront and embrace the shadows within myself?
- What lessons can I learn from the coexistence of light and shadow in my garden space?
- Silence:
- How can spending time in my garden help me appreciate the value of silence and stillness in my spiritual practice?
- What insights or revelations arise when I engage with the quiet moments within my garden?
- Teachers:
- What wisdom and lessons do I learn from observing the natural cycles and interactions within my garden?
- How can I view the plants and creatures in my garden as teachers, offering insights into resilience and adaptation?
- Transformation:
- How do the processes of growth, change, and renewal in my garden resonate with my own journey of personal transformation?
- What areas of my life can I transform with the same intentionality and nurturing care I apply to my garden?
- Unity:
- In what ways does the interconnectedness of the various elements in my garden reflect the broader sense of unity in the universe?
- How can my gardening practices remind me of the inherent interconnectedness of all life?
- Vision:
- How does my vision for my garden space mirror my broader vision for my life and the world around me?
- What steps can I take to align my gardening aspirations with my larger dreams and aspirations?
- Wonder:
- How can I cultivate a sense of wonder and awe in my garden, allowing it to become a source of inspiration and curiosity?
- What aspects of my garden space fill me with wonder and remind me of the extraordinary in the ordinary?
- X, the Mystery:
- How can I embrace the mystery and unknown in my garden, recognizing that not everything can be fully understood or controlled?
- What moments in my gardening experience evoke a sense of reverence for the mysteries of life?
- Yearning:
- How does the act of nurturing my garden reflect my inner yearning for growth, connection, and spiritual fulfillment?
- What desires and aspirations arise within me as I engage with the yearning that my garden represents?
- You:
- How does your unique presence and energy infuse your garden with a sense of authenticity and personal connection?
- How can you intentionally bring more of yourself into your gardening practices?
- Zeal:
- How does your passion and enthusiasm for gardening mirror your enthusiasm for life and the pursuit of your dreams?
- What actions or projects can you undertake in your garden that embody your sense of zeal and vitality?
For more on the Spiritual Alphabet of Spirituality and Practice, click on any of the links below. And click here to learn about the organization as a whole.
attention - beauty - being present - compassion - connections - devotion - enthusiasm - faith
forgiveness - grace - gratitude - hope - hospitality - imagination - joy - justice - kindness - listening
love - meaning - nurturing - openness - peace - play - questing - reverence - shadow - silence
teachers - transformation - unity - vision - wonder - x, the mystery - yearning - you - zeal
forgiveness - grace - gratitude - hope - hospitality - imagination - joy - justice - kindness - listening
love - meaning - nurturing - openness - peace - play - questing - reverence - shadow - silence
teachers - transformation - unity - vision - wonder - x, the mystery - yearning - you - zeal