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Mindfulness in the Garden: Zen Tools for Digging in the Dirt
Mindfulness in the Garden offers simple mindfulness verses (gathas) composed to connect the mind and body and to bring the reader/gardener’s awareness to the details of the present moment as they work in the garden. These gathas are signposts leading to nature, to the present, and ultimately to one’s self through the love and understanding they evoke. The gathas offered with each gardening activity serves to water the seeds of mindfulness within us, and softening and preparing the ground for our ability to be present.
Mindfulness in the Garden values weeds as important messengers seeking to bring into close communion our spiritual nature with that of the environment. It likens spiritual practice to cultivating a garden and inspires each person to accept themselves and start where they are, weeds and all. Through the practice of mindful gardening, we invite not only the thriving of the natural world but also the flowering and beauty of the pure land of our true self to emerge.
Features black and white botanical illustrations throughout.
Introduction by Thich Nhat Hanh, author of Present Moment Wonderful Moment
Foreword by Wendy Johnson,author of Gardening at the Dragon's Gate
Mindfulness in the Garden values weeds as important messengers seeking to bring into close communion our spiritual nature with that of the environment. It likens spiritual practice to cultivating a garden and inspires each person to accept themselves and start where they are, weeds and all. Through the practice of mindful gardening, we invite not only the thriving of the natural world but also the flowering and beauty of the pure land of our true self to emerge.
Features black and white botanical illustrations throughout.
Introduction by Thich Nhat Hanh, author of Present Moment Wonderful Moment
Foreword by Wendy Johnson,author of Gardening at the Dragon's Gate
160 pages, Hardcover
First published July 10, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 22, 2014
Puts into words so much of what I feel when in the garden. One to keep referring back to.
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September 5, 2017A chimera of a book.
Zachiah Murray is a landscape architect in the Santa Cruz area, and she is a Buddhist follower of Thich Naht Hanh (who writes the introduction and founded the publishing house that put out this book). The book is presented as a series of Gathas for when works in a garden, with commentary.
Studded throughout the book is also landscaping advice, some of it oddly specific (such as what size mesh to use to keep gophers away from plant roots).
Much of it is advice-that's-not-advice: let the vision flow, be adaptable, etc.
There's a whole great hunk of it that seems to owe more to American Romanticism than Buddhism: nature is a reflection of my soul, working in the garden is communicating with Others, that kind of thing.
Only a few snippets here and there get at the more radical notions of Buddhist ontology and epistemology: the idea that things co-create one another (which is very different than nature being a mirror of the soul) and the idea that there is no stable self. She does come to these points, here and there, but not in any sustained way.
I don't think it's Murray's intention, but this blending gives the book a New Age-y vibe, the loosey-goosey thoughts of a hipster into artisanal things. Which is fine, I guess, but seems, ironically, too adrift from the very earthy pastime of gardening to really feel solid.
Zachiah Murray is a landscape architect in the Santa Cruz area, and she is a Buddhist follower of Thich Naht Hanh (who writes the introduction and founded the publishing house that put out this book). The book is presented as a series of Gathas for when works in a garden, with commentary.
Studded throughout the book is also landscaping advice, some of it oddly specific (such as what size mesh to use to keep gophers away from plant roots).
Much of it is advice-that's-not-advice: let the vision flow, be adaptable, etc.
There's a whole great hunk of it that seems to owe more to American Romanticism than Buddhism: nature is a reflection of my soul, working in the garden is communicating with Others, that kind of thing.
Only a few snippets here and there get at the more radical notions of Buddhist ontology and epistemology: the idea that things co-create one another (which is very different than nature being a mirror of the soul) and the idea that there is no stable self. She does come to these points, here and there, but not in any sustained way.
I don't think it's Murray's intention, but this blending gives the book a New Age-y vibe, the loosey-goosey thoughts of a hipster into artisanal things. Which is fine, I guess, but seems, ironically, too adrift from the very earthy pastime of gardening to really feel solid.
July 25, 2021
Started this book mid May, when spring and gardening was just beginning for me in Wisconsin. I took my time with it, finishing up today, at the height of blooming and vegetables ripening. I essentially read through the planting, growing and harvesting (almost) season and savored with slow and close reading the chapters from "Entering the Garden, "Designing your Garden" in the early phases. "Risking the Tangle (weeds)," The Heart of the Garden," "Sowing the Seeds" as I got down and dirty getting the spaces in my garden ready and planted. "Enjoying the caring for my garden with the chapters, "Water's Wisdom," "Sharing Space" and finally the last chapters, "Bloom!," "Finally Fruit," and the "Heart of the Harvest." I jotted many quotes from Murray's book and "gathas," simple short verses she wrote on the topics. Her training is situated in that of Thich Nhat Hahn who states that "reciting a gatha 'helps us to dwell in the present moment and to be deeply aware of the action we are doing so we can perform it with an understanding and love.'" I cannot do anything with my yard/garden ever again without the ideas of this book staying with me and I am grateful. I have created a plaque for my garden that includes the main gatha from the book that encompasses my thoughts and mindfulness focus:
"Entering the garden,
I see my true nature.
In its reflection
my heart is at peace.
"Entering the garden,
I see my true nature.
In its reflection
my heart is at peace.
November 24, 2021
I almost didn't give this books 4 starts. It was a little woo woo for my tastes. I can't deny though that I felt calm and peaceful just readingng it and I can see the benefits of approaching my gardening more mindfully. Also I could definitely use a little mindfulness in my daily life. I very much enjoyed reading this book to my own surprise.
May 15, 2022
Great things to think about (or not think about) while gardening. I often have to miss scheduled formal group zen practice to work in a volunteer garden when the weather dictates, and this book has helped me approach garden work as an exercise in mindful meditation.
September 18, 2019
Well, mostly read. It was getting way too repetitive so I had to move on.
September 21, 2012
Zachiah Murray brings deep practice and deep knowing of the landscape of the land and the landscape of the soul. This precious gem, "Zen Tools for Digging In the Dirt," just the size for a gardener's pocket, begins with a forward by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, then offers eleven short, inspiring chapters including subchapters with headings such as "on looking at a tree, learning the language of the land, designing your garden, the wisdom of weeds, honing humus, cultivating compassion, water, our teacher, finding common ground, the beauty of impermanence, ripening with grace, and surrendering separateness". Black and white woodcuts by Jason Deantonis compliment this small treasure for gardeners, meditators, and anyone who enjoys seeking nourishment of all kinds in a garden.
November 16, 2014
To begin with, the book as object is beautiful. A smallish, hardbound copy with appealing pen and ink style drawings illustrating the topics. The subject matter, being a unique combination of gardening and Buddhism, has interconnectivity as the theme throughout. This was a rewarding little exercise during a crummy winter day. It left me with ideas for the garden in the summer which was tough during an almost blizzard.
August 19, 2012
A beautiful introspective read which combines Zachiah's handpicked crafted words to reflect on oneself within the limitless boundaries of a garden.
January 13, 2013
Sweet little reflections. Some good meditative thoughts on gardening and life in general.
April 3, 2016
Not really my cup of tea, but I'm sure it would appeal to some.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews