January 26-2010
Looking out on Long Island Sound, breathing deeply, expanding consciousness. I often forget to just spend time being aware, just being. This is such an important aspect of maintaining mental , psychological, spiritual health. We have so many distractions that keep us from being present. The ego is a major culprit.
So spend time whenever you think of it and can make it happen. Well – what I am really trying to say is – I need to find ways to remind myself to be…present that is to be alive, to stay healthy. Breathing deeply isn’t something that I normally naturally think of or do. Particularly in problem solving situations when it could prove to allow me to access that part of me that touches and is absorbed into the immensity of all that is. Part of our own ability to create our lives. Part of love and creation where they are merged.
So here I sit at Bridgeport University Dental School and I am fortunate enough o be looking out at Long Island Sound. The water was glistening all morning contributing to my sense of well being & ability to get present. Because it’s sunny it also serves to brighten my spirits. But yesterday it was gloomy and very windy. So windy that my neighbor, Julie had to take down her Party, Paper & Things sign. I loved the day. Gloomy days can really be great.
I journal to get present. Most mornings I write three handwritten pages just like Julia Cameron suggests in The Artist’s Way. And because I am so accustomed to journaling, I just flowed right into writing in journal style just now. This is a journal of sorts, but different, because in this case I am opening up the book, so to speak for others to read.
The purpose of this blog – because it is about healing spiritual gardens, is to connect with nature and the spirit and to discuss my idea of healing gardens as I discover it. That’s why it will be so great to be a blog, because it can become a conversation with those who are interested in doing the same.
So the trees are skeletons right now. Wouldn’t be able to see the water beyond if it wasn’t winter. Speaking of silver linings…there are beautiful cumulus clouds – more with Grey bottoms giving footing and dimension. Because I am on the 5th floor, the street and parked cars are not noticeable. Especially because the window frame covers over the cars exactly. A distant road curves through the park and the slightly green, mostly yellowish green grass now catch my notice. Several picnic tables scattered about. Variably sunny day. Especially nice when the sun shines through – or did I mention that before? So what constitutes a healing garden? A place to replenish, rejuvenate, become calm and peaceful. A place to meditate just by noticing…
The other day I used the flame of a candle as a center point of my meditation. The rain and wind, or even the song of birds (summer or winter) can be a nature connection and a source or focus for meditation. In winter I become extremely grateful for my perennials that I am growing in pots inside, my money tree, my orchid and my geranium as a green part of my inside home/garden. An important aspect of the healing garden. Bringing a piece of nature inside. This is part of my design for healing through contact with nature theory. Research apparently has shown that children who spend time outdoors playing develop a stronger intelligence than those who don’t. Wouldn’t it therefore follow suit for adults? I have learned about and studied a spiritual tradition that originated in Bulgaria that stresses the importance of spending time out in nature (particularly in the wilderness or just outside highly populated areas) to reach spiritual health, growth, and a greater connection with God, our source.
January 28, 2010 – Thursday
Now I am sitting at my desk and typing up what I wrote on Tuesday, looking out at large flakes of snow flutter down to the ground. When I look out at a distance it looks like it’s heavy – but up close, they are really just not so many big flakes. I have to write about this, because it is about me being present. I look right out at Putnam Avenue which can really be fun.
