|
Kinds
of Gardens
There are many kinds of gardens and unfortunately, many kinds of war: wars between nations, religious wars, wars between family members, gang wars, and the wars that we wage within ourselves. It may seem overly simplistic, hard to believe, but getting to know the wonders and beauty of our Earth through gardening can help put an end to all of these kinds of war. The
Essene Gospel tells us, |
 |
|
But
what does
this mean? How can all the Earth
become a garden? Garden can
mean: A plot of land used
specifically for the cultivation of flowers, vegetables, herbs, or fruit.
It can refer to grounds laid out with flowers, trees, and ornamental
shrubs and used for recreation or visual pleasure. This definition is
often used in the plural: public gardens;
botanical gardens. In
Britain the word, garden, refers to the yard or lawn that defines a person’s
or family’s space and gives them the sense of privacy and possibly, protection
from the outside world. Sometimes
a fertile, well-cultivated region that offers a sampling of Earth’s abundance
is referred to as a “garden.” So a
garden can be a source of cultivation, recreation, visual pleasure, protection
and/or abundance. Taking all
these definitions into consideration I would say that, Yes, all the world
can become a garden. Even the structures that we create for our habitation and our
employment can become gardens. Does
this mean that we have to have plants in every room of every edifice?
Not necessarily, but it implies that we should be cognizant of our need
to maintain our connection to nature in every aspect of our lives.
How can we do this when we are expected to spend so much of our time in
front of computer screens, often in buildings that don’t even have real
windows that can be opened to allow so much as a drop of natural air to enter
our environment? An indoor
garden can be created simply by putting a planter box in front of a window that
receives the sun for at least six hours a day.
Such a garden could consist of seasonal flowers, herbs or even
vegetables, whatever the gardener most needs.
I have been growing lettuce and beet greens in a southern-facing window
of my house during the winter months in Western Pennsylvania for the past two
years and am happy to report that I have had a supply of greens throughout the
winter season. Even if you don’t
get six hours of sun a day, a single “grow lamp” over the boxes will take up
the slack when necessary. Even the
smallest patio or deck can be turned into a fruitful garden by using pots to
grow vegetables and herbs. Several years ago a friend of mine grew a variety of
vegetables using the principles of biodynamics on her patio and was able to
supply herself and her husband with a variety of the best possible produce
during the spring, summer and fall months. Roof
gardens have become a popular way of bringing a connection with nature to the
city. Check out this website
www.ecobusinesslinks.com/green_roofs_green_roof_garden_design.htm
to learn about some amazing examples of this type of gardening. Herbs and
sprouts can be grown right in your kitchen.
Sprouts are such an easy way to get a lot of nutrition and a few little
pots can supply you with your favorite herbs all year round. Check out these
websites for more information. http://www.recipegoldmine.com/kitchart/kitchart56.html http://www.ehow.com/how_2030773_grow-sprouts.html If all the Earth shall become a garden we must also consider the gardens of our hearts? The Essene Gospel says that “barren deserts are turned into beautiful forests only through water.” Perhaps barren hearts can be turned into beautiful gardens also, through Love. Let us
take every opportunity to be in a natural setting and bring nature with us
whenever and wherever we can. Let us make gardens - gardens of cultivation, of recreation
and visual delight, of protection and abundance and of love, wherever we can,
whenever we can and wherever we find ourselves. Then all the world shall be a garden and all the bodily world
shall become free.
|
|