Learning Lessons
Gardening With Nature
By The Nature Spirits
And
Roger Wyer
Published by GardeningWithNature.org at Smashwords
Copyright 2010 Roger Wyer
Learn more about Roger Wyer at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/RogerWyer
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Contents
Intro
Greetings!
The Lessons
What’s Next
Lesson One: Getting Started
Intro
Exercise
Nature Spirits
Plants
Thriving Garden
Energy in the Garden
Around the Garden
People in the Garden
Lesson Two: Making Contact
Intro: I Believe – Now What?
Exercise: Your Desires For Your Garden
Nature Spirits: Communicating Your Desires
Plants: Tell Me About Plants
Thriving Garden: What Does “Thriving” Mean To You?
Energy In The Garden: Name That Feeling
Around The Garden: Money
People In The Garden: Who Else Lives In Your Garden?
What’s Next
Lesson Three: Layout
Intro: Layout
Exercise: Finding The Path
Nature Spirits: A Home For Nature
Plants: Choosing Plants With Nature
Thriving Garden: Timing
Energy In The Garden: Uncovering Existing Energy
Around The Garden: Dividing Spaces
People In The Garden: A Home For You
What’s Next
Lesson Four: Hit The Dirt!
Intro: First Foot Forward
Exercise: Don’t Just Stand There: Plant Something!
Nature Spirits: What Do I Do Now?
Plants: Green Side Up
Thriving Garden: Blessing
Energy In The Garden: Clearing Command
Around The Garden: Digging
People In The Garden: It’s Time To Celebrate!
What’s Next
Acknowledgements
End Stuff
Thank-you To Readers
About The Author
Contact The Author
Readers Group Study Guide
Introduction
Greetings!
We humans have been living with plants our entire existence. Let’s pause for a moment and recap a few lessons we ought to have learned.
First, life on the planet is simply not possible for us without plants.
We’ve learned a lot about plants and nature. We’ve had to in order to survive. Through it all, plants have provided the raw materials that serve as the source for our comfort.
In developing the planet, we’ve created some fantastic gardens, from the hanging gardens of Babylon to Central Park. Meanwhile, Nature has produced Amazon rain forests and Yellowstone Park.
Finally, the moment humans build anything, Nature begins to renovate or deconstruct it. Within a week after a new sidewalk is poured, a blade of grass sprouts in a crack somewhere, signally the beginning of the end for this bit of human folly.
The faster we throw stuff up, the faster Nature takes it down.
During most of human history, our idea has been to master Nature – to bend Her to our service. For thousands of years we’ve developed new ideas to win the war against Nature. Even if we do somehow succeed in taming Nature, it looks like we’ll destroy the planet and ourselves in the process.
Is there a better way?
There’s much talk these days about substituting collaboration for competition as the basis for relationships between humans. I suggest we do the same for the foundation of our relationship with Nature.
In these lessons, we’ll explore ways to do just that.
My personal experience demonstrates that when I cooperate with Nature, my garden is more beautiful, my harvest is more bountiful, my work is lighter and more joyful, and I spend less time and money. Such a deal!
I hope you’ll join me in venturing together into this new relationship!
The Lessons
The idea of Learning Lessons is to build our cooperative relationship with Nature through new knowledge and practice.
Each lesson is broken into short parts, providing information building on the last lesson, and giving you a framework for thinking about Nature and your relationship. Each lesson includes at least one practical exercise to move your relationship forward.
You’ll notice that you already know and practice some of the ideas provided. My belief is that your interest in reading these lessons indicates you’re growing more aware of the relationship with Nature that’s always been there between you. You see, Nature has been speaking to you all along. Perhaps you’ve heard this voice consciously – perhaps unconsciously. You’ve reached that point where you yearn for more.
So, the lessons are more than a cook book for baking up a great garden. By opening yourself to a deeper relationship with Nature, both you and Nature will be changed. That’s a sacred thing – a spiritual thing – between the two of you. The lessons honor that.
The lessons are practical in the sense that Nature, who guides my writing, and I are both eager that you should succeed quickly and regularly in ways you can observe. That’s what kept me motivated along this path and I reckon it will work with you too.
I think that’s about all we need to say in setting up your success. It is my hope that you create and allow a joyful relationship with every plant you encounter.
What’s next
Gardening With Nature Learning Lessons is a progressive learning tool we provide online. Most of us learn most effectively when we’re learning actively – Learning Lessons support real gardening. Besides, what’s the point of reading about healing if we’re not going to actually heal?
We begin with an introductory lesson, which includes foundational information about Gardening With Nature. As you will see, it’s loaded.
Each lesson contains sections on Nature Spirits, Plants, Thriving Garden, Energy in the Garden, Around the Garden, and People in the Garden - plus at least one practical exercise to build your relationship with Nature through gardening.
The topics in each lesson are coordinated, and lessons build on each other. The idea behind progressive learning is to provide a bit of theory and then a practical exercise to put it into play. The topical headings will remain the same in each lesson, so you’ll always be “located” in each lesson and readily able to see how one lesson relates to another.
It’s been our great pleasure to share our healing knowledge with you and your plants!
Lesson One: Getting Started
Intro
Please pause for a moment. Look slowly around your room. Notice carefully each contribution made by a plant. Think about the value of those contributions. They were given willingly, lovingly.
My friends, these contributions pale in comparison with the gifts plants have in store for us. Plants are truly here to heal us. It is in healing them that we initiate the cycle of love between us.
Welcome to your introductory Learning Lesson! It is my intent to help you connect deeply – and in practical ways – with your plants, your garden, and with Nature.
I pack Gardening With Nature Learning Lessons with knowledge you would have to dig for in multiple, well-hidden resources. I focus on powerful information you can apply now to make an immediate difference in the wellness of your beloved plants.
At the same time, we’re building a foundation to empower you to heal those treasured plants. You save time and money, and connect with your plants on a much deeper level.
It’s been an interesting challenge to bring together this exciting knowledge in a way that can be learned and practiced easily and effectively. It’s our hope these Learning Lessons will provide fun and value as you put them to use, and bring healing to you and your plants.
Exercise
Any particular system is either well or it is not. If it is not well, symptoms and problems pop up anywhere, and they continue popping up until the entire system is fully healed. A landscape is a system—so is an individual plant.
So, here’s your first assignment. Your task is to observe and make a split-second judgment about the landscapes and plants you come across this week: is it well or is it not well?
Don’t bother noticing symptoms or problems, or making a lot of detailed observations. Allow your noticing to take in the entire system at once. What is your first impression of it? Well? Or not well?
That’s all. Well, not quite. You’re human after all, so you’ll soon begin noticing patterns in the well/not well observations. This is the beginning.
Nature Spirits
Everything is energy, including thoughts. Because there is no time, no space, every thing that ever happened, every thought that ever was thought, is here now. That means everything we need to know—can know—is available to us in the form of energy.
The question is: how do we tap into this energy for information we seek?
Basically, we ask.
Imagine talking on your phone. You’re sending information. Information is delivered to you. It’s in the form of energy. You don’t know how it works. You just know you’re talking with your friend.
Now, is it possible you could exchange information with your friend without using a phone? Probably, but hold that thought for now. At any rate, the phone is pretty helpful in making the information accessible. It turns a bunch of something-we-can’t-see into the voice of your friend. That’s the kind of help we need in accessing the information-in-energy we’re seeking.
I use a simple pendulum. I’ve also worked with a German dowsing tool and kinesiology. Through the ages, seekers have developed very interesting, very creative, and very effective methods for knowing the truth.
The idea of this section is to delve deeper into your connection with Nature. This may include the use of dowsing and other tools to enhance your connection and support your gardening experiments. We’ll also explore the lost art of asking right questions.
Remember, Nature Spirits know what's what in your garden, and they know how to get things done. They've been at it a very, very long time. And, they're ready to communicate and partner with you in your garden.
Plants
So far, I’ve identified 19 kinds of actions we take in answer to the requests made by our plants. It’s a useful list for identifying the day’s priorities, especially when you’re in an analytical mood!
Water
Fertilize
Till
Weed
Move
Plant
Transplant
Love
Notice
Cover
Heal
Prune
Clean
Propagate
Throw away
Give away
Sell
Deadhead
Collect seed
For today, please check “notice” for each of your plants. As Eckhart Tolle says, “Nature loves to be noticed.” It’s a beautiful thought. And, it’s true.
To notice your plants, you have to get up out of your chair and actually go look at them. Just look carefully at each one and see whatever is to be seen.
What’s new to notice? What are you learning from that? How does that make you feel?
Besides bestowing an excellent gift of healing upon your plants, you’ll find yourself reaping some interesting benefits too! When it comes to plants, the more we give, the more we receive. Can't beat that!
Thriving Garden
Here are the co-creative gardening Rules of Engagement between Nature Spirits and Human Spirits:
Complete honesty
Love - all work flows from a loving attitude
Trust
Work hard to fulfill agreements
Joy - keep a joyful heart
Observe - look carefully - see into
Adding unto - for mutual benefit
Life - honor all life
Obey Gaia - the final word
Harvest - for sustainability
In gardening from the spirit in these rules, we set the table for an experience with Nature that can only be called a miracle.
Energy in the Garden
Let’s begin with a few basics. The universe appears to be composed of matter and energy. Matter is energy trapped in form. So, energy is really all there is. Energy is conscious and responds to our intention. The basic unit of energy is vibrational frequency.
There are three ways we can manipulate frequencies of the energy trapped in the matter (bodies) of our plants: secondary technology, command, and symbology.
Secondary technology includes matter (things) which impart frequencies. Examples would be herbal remedies and medicines, lasers and Rife machines, food and drink, fertilizers, and an endless array of strange-looking inventions designed to heal by getting frequencies into bodies.
We can also modify frequencies in our plants by command. Some call it prayer. Some call it intention. Words carry frequencies. If we can direct words, we can direct frequencies.
Symbols are frequencies. Throughout history, symbols have been used to stand for ideas. Symbols invoke thoughts and feelings in a powerful way. Specific symbols can move complex sets of frequencies quickly into a body. Words are powerful symbols.
I’ve packed these five paragraphs very densely. I encourage you to explore the meaning and implications of each sentence, and I look forward to unpacking them together in future Learning Lessons. We close here by acknowledging the many minds that have brought us this knowledge from across space and time. We owe them our deepest gratitude!
Around the Garden
What is a plant? Food on the table? Flowers in the garden? Clothes in the closet? Medicine in the pharmacy? Ethanol in the gas tank? Furniture in the study? Books on the shelf? How long would this list be if we could remember all the gifts of plants?
Are plants sentient beings? Do they have a soul? Can they speak? Move? Respond to humans or their environment?
I just remembered one more gift for the list: oxygen in our lungs. Oh yes, there’s this too. Plants are the givers of life on this planet. Without plants, humans are not possible.
Would it then be to our advantage to heal plants? To look upon our service to plants as more than “maintenance?” To think of our actions toward plants as seeking “thrive” rather than “survive?”
To heal plants means looking deeper, not to count how many more useful things humans can convert plants into, but to the spiritual gifts plants are waiting to give.
Healing plants is an adventure into a new kind of relationship—one in which humans must grow in new directions in order to keep up. And in this growth lies enormous healing potential for humans.
It is in healing that we are healed. This is never more true than healing our plants.
People in the Garden
When I was a professional landscaper, I figured out it’s a lot easier to work with Nature than against Her. That seems pretty obvious, but it’s highly counter-intuitive in a field like landscaping, where the apparent goal is to shape Nature into exactly what the customer wants it to be.
Your relationship with plants is sacred - so is mine. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have connected on this page. Somehow, pruning and fertilizing, weeding and mowing, don’t seem to exactly fulfill the nature of the sacred relationship with plants we desire.
The thing is, plants want to be healed. Nature wants to cooperate. The knowledge and information is “out there.” It’s up to us to listen and follow!
So, how can we Be with plants in a way that manifests the deep connection we feel between us? That’s what this section is about.
While I was designing and building gardens professionally, I read Paul Hawken’s book about the Findhorn community. It opened my eyes to a whole new way of seeing gardening. By this time I was already defining landscaping as “three-dimensional living art.” At Findhorn, community leaders tapped into Source to guide and inspire their art.
After reading Machaelle Small Wright’s book about Perelandra, I realized there’s just too much writing and evidence about Nature Spirits to ignore or write off their existence.
When I moved to Gilbert, Arizona, I left behind my personal ½-acre botanical garden, which I had been working in and on for more than twenty years, and started over with a clean slate in a tract subdivision. I decided to ask the Nature Spirits for help.
In less than four years, I found myself once again living in a botanical garden – one of peace and joy. This time, I was amazed at how little time, energy, and money went into it - remember, I used to do this work professionally, so I’ve done more than a few designs and more than a few estimates.
This time, I simply followed the guidance of the Nature Spirits. And that includes healing.
Lesson Two: First Steps
Intro: I Believe – Now What?
Understanding it’s time for a new paradigm around our relationship with Nature is a huge step forward. Beginning to grasp what that new paradigm might look like, and imagining working With Nature instead of trying to control everything feels really good. Now what?
What’s your first move? In every interaction with Nature and your garden, you’ll want to enter a state we refer to around here as “fit spiritual condition.” Take a moment - or two - to breathe deeply. You don’t have to be in the garden - you can do a lot of work with Nature from your favorite chair or at your desk.
The idea is to be in that state that will facilitate your connection with Nature. Whether it’s meditation or visualization, looking at a coffee-table garden book or a seed catalog, or listening to the waltz of the sugar plum faeries, just go there.
Then ask to be connected with Nature. Know that it is so. Nature is there always, waiting to be invited, wanting to help you.
Exercise: Your Desires for Your Garden
Since you’re co-creating with Nature, you get a say in what goes on in your garden right along with Nature. Your first step is to state your intention. You can start by answering these questions:
What’s important to you about your garden?
What do you like your garden to do for you?
How would you like your garden to look? Feel?
Where have you been that’s like the way you want your garden to be?
What activities do you anticipate in your garden?
What special concerns do you have?
Start by brainstorming – make a list. Don’t hold back. Get it all out on paper.
Then refine your list. The idea is to get a clear answer to question number one: what’s important to you about your garden?
Boil your answer down to about one paragraph. You’re about to try to explain your ideas to Nature, so you need to be brief, to the point, and very clear. Remember, you may get exactly what you ask for!
To say anything more here would be to limit your creativity and your expression of what’s true for you about your desires, your garden, and your relationship with Nature. You’ll know you’ve got it down to the paragraph when you want to hug the page and run outside to tell your new partner!
Nature Spirits: Communicating Your Desires
Now, I don’t want to let you down here, but Nature already heard you! That’s right, you’re not working with just any partner. Your heart is singing the news of your creation and Nature gets it. Remember, you are a part of Nature, so this is you talking to You.
Still, you want to present your paragraph to Nature because that’s the way partners do things. Remember: open and honest communication.
Also, even though Nature clearly hears you, you may not yet be clearly hearing Nature. So this is a great way to begin the conversation.
You begin by getting centered in the garden and asking to be connected with Nature. Then you say it like you mean it: this is what I would like my garden to be and my intention is to partner with you in bringing it to full flower.
That’s it.
Plants: Tell Me About Plants
Plants are some of the loveliest creatures on earth. I marvel at Spirit expressing as plants.
There are lots of living things in your garden. For me, providing a home in which plants thrive is the core of gardening. Everybody else is just there to support the plants – or to enjoy them – or both.
It’s a kind of love affair that’s encoded deep inside us. I’m running out of words, so I better stop before I break into a poem or a song.
How about if you talk for awhile? What do plants mean to you? When you focus on a single plant, what is the conversation going on in your head? What is your heart saying?
I think it’s time to start talking with your plants. You don’t have to speak aloud if you don’t want to – plants are far better at understanding human thoughts than you might imagine. Try just saying to yourself what you’re thinking and feeling about the plant you’re tuned in with.
Pretty soon, something will shift in you. Notice what that shift is about. Now, when you’re in your garden, you’ll know you are never alone.
Thriving Garden: What Does “Thriving” Mean to You?
I got tired of people pointing at a plant and explaining to me that “It’s still alive!” So what? Since when is keeping plants alive any sort of goal? Can we do better? Please?
How do you feel when you are thriving? Have you had a day like that? Recently? I hope so!
When I think of “thrive,” I think vibrant health and well-being, a state of exuberant growth and expression, a pushing outward against all limits.
When I’m observing a plant that’s thriving, I’m seeing a shade of green that radiates energy, flowers causing stems to droop, branches which can barely hang on to an abundant fruit crop, new growth pushing out everywhere. You can almost hear thriving plants singing with joy!
That’s what we’re shooting for in the garden. That’s when we know we’re working in total harmony with Nature.
I don’t really want to contrast “thrive” with “survive.” It lowers my energy just thinking about it. If our goal is joy, we can’t afford much lowering of energy – our energy or the energy of our plants!
Energy in The Garden: Name That Feeling
Each plant has a unique energy – a kind of signature all its own. Not surprisingly, the character of a particular plant’s energy signature shows up in our emotions when we’re in touch with it.
Let me say that a different way. If you connect with a particular plant, you will feel its energy in your body. That energy will lead you to feel a certain way.
This feeling is important for many reasons. How a plant is used by humans has much to do with the feelings it brings up in people.
It’s no accident that a yellow rose signals friendship, or that a red one is given to express love. There’s no surprise in chamomile showing up in a bedtime tea, or finding mint enlivening a julep. You don’t have to think too hard about a willow being weeping, or a prickly pear cactus being prickly.
The idea of this little exercise is to see if you can name the feeling you get from the individual plants in your garden, your home, or your neighborhood park.
Get in touch with each plant through your senses. Then see if you can connect even deeper. Try to feel what that plant is. Feel its energy. Notice what’s showing up in your body. Be with that a moment and experience it fully. And then name that feeling.
It may take some practice, but it’s well worth the effort. You’ll be developing your relationship with Nature. That way, when you ask for guidance about a certain plant - what you can do for it or what it can do for you - at least you’ll know who you’re talking with!
Around The Garden: Money
Before you drift off into that beautiful flower you’re entranced by, let’s talk a moment about the other green stuff - cash.
There’s something very simple you need to know about the role of money in co-creating your garden with Nature. I don’t know what it is, so if you figure it out, please write me!
Actually, Nature is a lot more powerful than money. With Nature as your partner, you can create a fantastic garden without any money at all. That’s probably not how you’ll do it, but it’s good to know that it has been done.
What I will say about money is this: think twice before turning to money as the solution to any need in your garden. You’ll be very glad you did.
What shows up when you rely on Nature instead of money can be astonishing. What shows up when you rely on yourself instead of money can be empowering. When you and Nature work together, you’re amazing!
People in The Garden: Who Else Lives In Your Garden?
OK, there’s you. There’s your family. Your friends and neighbors come over. You have parties in your garden, sometimes with people you hardly know. Maybe a delivery person or contractor comes in. Anybody else?
Well, your plants live there. Birds live there. Bugs live there. A lot of things too tiny to see live there. A dog or cat may live there. Woodland and neighborhood wildlife pass through. They may even hold their own party in your garden! We used to host a coyote who loved to dine while lying out on our little patch of grass, enjoying a few sips from the kids' wading pool to wash it down.
Nature lives there. Spirits of many sorts live there. God lives there.
Who else lives in your Garden?
Well, since they live there, aren’t they part of your garden too?
If they are, then they have a reason for being there. They have a role. They serve a purpose.
Since you’re the host, the caretaker, the steward of the garden, you’ll want to make sure everyone is cared for. That their needs are met. That they live harmoniously together.
That their energy enhances the overall garden.
That’s a little different way of thinking about some of these residents and visitors. Better take some time to get used to this new thinking. We don’t allow fighting in the garden - it wrecks the joy there.
What’s Next
In Lesson Three, we’ll work on laying out your garden. You may not be starting from scratch, but you’ll want to be able to co-create your garden with Nature beginning as soon as you can. Some of this will echo established landscape and garden design practice; some will open new areas of possibility and new ways of seeing your garden.
Until then, please say hello to your plants for me!
Lesson: Three: Layout
Intro: Layout
What goes where? With Nature as our partner, layout is something we do together in the field, in real time, more than a colored drawing done by a professional.
Fortunately for humans, Nature takes on both the overall design and the details of implementing our garden. Who knows better than Nature all that’s inherent in the big picture – all about the millions of elements that affect our garden?
Knowing our intentions for our garden, and the big picture, who better than Nature to lay out the day’s work?
In working with Nature, our task is simply to understand the immediate work in front of us and to carry it out joyfully, according to instruction. As we complete Nature’s to-do list day after day, our gardens unfold in magical ways.
Do not be concerned about tomorrow in the garden; tomorrow will take care of itself - with Nature’s guidance and our good work!
Exercise: Finding The Path
The first step in laying out a garden is to find the pathways. That’s because humans tend to be pretty consistent, and pretty stubborn about how they walk through a space. Even though more square corners are set in concrete every day, I almost never see a human make a square turn.
So, look down - look at the ground in your garden. Be a tracker. Find the pathways in your garden.
Once you’ve identified them, notice that they do a very effective job in dividing your garden into smaller spaces - individual gardens - a sort of informal grid.
This simple step provides a base from which to organize all you do in the garden. It provides structure.
Nature Spirits: A Home For Nature
Since you’ve invited Nature to partner with you in creating your garden, how about giving Nature a little spot all Her own? After all, you’ve got the rest of the place!
Nature will appreciate your commitment to setting aside a space in your garden which will be off-limits to all. It doesn’t have to be a big space – just private, peaceful, and dedicated to Nature’s use alone.
Look around your garden. You’ll know the right spot. When you’re connected with Nature, ask to be sure.
I suggest defining the space physically so that no one else will enter accidently.
Something simple will be fine.
Once you’ve set up your Nature Sanctuary, take a moment to present your gift to Nature. Describe the gift and your commitment to keeping it untouched.
It could be that, down the line, Nature will ask you for some landscaping help in the Sanctuary, such as a adding a crystal or a boulder. Otherwise, you’ll want to stay out of there, even if you’re tempted to weed or prune.
I like to think of my Nature Sanctuary as a place Nature can retire at the end of a hard day’s work. That’s my story anyway!
Plants: Choosing Plants With Nature
For me, this is where the real fun begins. As a designer and contractor, plant selection was my favorite part of the landscaping process. I’m always curious to see what my partner chooses.
Sometimes, plants show up looking for a home in your garden. Other times you have to rescue them from someplace they’ve been waiting for you.
I have to take a brief time out for a confession of sorts. I don’t hear Nature talking to me all the time, although I am getting better at it. I don’t use kinesiology the way other co-creative gardeners do to tune into Nature’s messages. I use a pendulum. In another Learning Lesson, I mention that my favorite gardening tool is my brain; most days, I’d rather have my pendulum.
I just want you to know that there are tools available to help you “hear” the “voice” of “Nature.” We won’t take time to get into them - yet. And, for those who aren’t into these sorts of tools, gardening with Nature may give you reason to check them out. I think you’ll be very glad you did. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
When I use my pendulum to figure out what Nature is trying to communicate, the first key is asking the right question. The clearest kind of question is one that produces one of two answers: yes or no.
Many humans these days are experiencing an increase in the strength and efficacy of their intuition. Nature is a powerful communicator - patient and infinitely creative. Paying attention to thoughts, voices, and pictures that pop into your head, seemingly not your own, can provide complicated answers quickly.
So, here’s a list of yes-no questions to provide a template for asking Nature’s help in choosing the right plant for the right spot:
Are we planting today?
In the front yard?
In the back yard?
Along the path?
In the herb garden?
How many plants – one?
Two?
Three?
How many types – one?
Two?
Three?
Are we planting from seed?
From a container?
A 4” pot?
A 1-gallon container?
Do we have this plant here already?
Is it at a nursery?
My favorite nursery on Main Street?
Should I go now?
Is there anything else we need to get there?
Now I’m at the nursery and the questions continue:
Is the plant I’m looking for in this row?
This row?
Is it toward the front?
Is it this one?
Doesn’t this one look better? (I have to keep Nature on the ball!)
In order to play this out completely, we continue back at home. I’m asking again:
Do I plant it in the back row?
Middle row?
On the left side?
On the right side?
Next to that sage?
After setting the plant in place in its container, we continue:
Right here?
Move it a little bit to the left?
To the right?
Is it oriented properly?
Are there any special planting instructions?
Do you want me to use a particular soil mix?
Do you want me to water it in after planting?
Is there anything you’d like me to do to complete this planting?
This turns out to be a much different selection and planting experience than most gardeners are used to – whether they read, ask experts, or follow their neighbor’s leads.
After awhile, this goes very quickly. You can sometimes guess what Nature is up to - sometimes you feel it or just know it. But if you don’t check, you’ll find yourself making mistakes. By fully engaging your mind, you can get close enough to eliminate a lot of questions.
I find Nature is quite clear and precise about what is needed and when. The last time I went to the nursery, every time I asked if we should go look at those nice trees over there, or those pretty flowers over there, the answer was “no.” I had a strong feeling Nature was hustling me out of there, wanting me to get home and get the planting done.
It turned out that I needed every minute at home to get my planting done before an unexpected event took me immediately out of the garden. It’s amazing what Nature knows and how wise is Her guidance!
Thriving Garden: Timing
Information about when is the best time to plant or harvest has been gathered and passed on since humans began farming. That’s a lot of information!
Frankly, although there are patterns in the information, much of it is too complicated and too conflicting to be of much use.
Are we following the moon? Or do we need to allow for planetary movements as well? What about Sun spots? How does local weather modify our calculations? Does each bit of advice work as well in the shady part of my yard as in the sunny section?
We could listen to our local nursery human, but the store just got in a load of something that’s looking particularly wonderful and so is on special this week only.
We could do our planting next Saturday because that’s the only free day we have in the next four years.
Or, and you’ll be surprised by this idea, we could just ask Nature. It’s nice to know there is one advisor in the group who has a finger on all the data that ever was, is now, and ever will be. This advisor has an agenda of creating the good, the holy, and the beautiful. And this advisor already knows exactly what our desires are for our garden – and all about our schedule and our physical and financial limitations.
So, ask. Do I plant the peas today? Or would next week be better?
Energy in The Garden: Uncovering Existing Energy
Imagine putting on a pair of special energy decoder glasses. These powerful glasses allow you to actually see energy. Let’s go out to the garden and see what energy is there.
Oh, everything in the garden is energy. But each thing looks different. Each kind of thing looks different. The energy of a chair looks different than the energy of an oak, which look different than the energy of your dog racing through the garden.
The energy of each sunflower in the row looks a little different.
The energy in each section of the garden seems to look different.
And you can see energy in places where there is no “thing.” If there’s energy there, could there be some thing there that you just weren’t seeing before?
What’s showing up when you look through your energy decoder glasses is what a symphony would look like if you could see it. A swirling and blending and dancing of energy that makes up a coherent whole – a thing of beauty.
You probably don’t have a pair of special energy decoder glasses up in your attic – I don’t either. Try this: close your eyes. Imagine those glasses are now already on. With your eyes closed, imagine yourself walking into the garden.
What do you see?
Around The Garden: Dividing Spaces
You’ve already identified the pathways around and through your garden, and understand how these pathways divide the big space into little spaces like an informal grid.
Now we can name each space. What’s the important function going on each space?
Some are obvious: this is the shed garden, this is the patio garden, this is the meditation garden, this is the pool garden. I refer to each as a garden because, in almost every case, even though there’s something happening in the space, if you treat it as an individual garden, you can enhance it by bringing Nature into it. Every shed deserves its vine.
Some spaces in your garden may not have a name yet. They’re waiting for one – to give them a purpose. Why not ask Nature for guidance?
Would this be a good space for the herb garden?
Would this be a good space for the sandbox garden?
Would this be a good space for the greenhouse garden?
You get the idea. Besides knowing what each space is about, by giving each a name, you’re developing a common language with Nature. When you ask about the rock garden, everybody will know what you’re talking about.
People in The Garden: A Home For You
When humans look at gardens, that’s two-dimensional. When we go out into the garden, that’s three-dimensional. When we work with Nature in the garden, we’re in multi-dimensional territory.
It’s nice to have a place inside where you can look out on a perfect view of your garden. It’s nice to have a place outside in the garden where you can enjoy looking around. Let’s not stop there.
When I walk into the garden, I become the garden. Everything there is alive and interacting – and I’m joining the action. I’m home. I’m part of Nature too.
Each plant knows me, and I know them. We’re connected. And we’re connected on levels we don’t fully understand and can’t fully appreciate.
When I’m in the garden, the conversation is flying.
And so is the healing. We’re not just exchanging chitchat – we’re exchanging energy. As the energy in my garden thrives, I thrive. This is the purpose of a home - to nurture your spirit.
What’s Next
If you look below, you’ll see I’ve included some resources to support you as you develop your understanding and practice the new gardening paradigm. Please don’t overwhelm yourself. The idea is that plenty of good work precedes what we’re doing here. We’re simply pulling together pieces that already work into a way of being with Nature that’s appropriate for our world today.
I'll be posting more information on my gardening website and blog. If you have questions, just ask!
In the next Learning Lesson, we hit the dirt. Gardening is no fun until you get dirty!
We’ve laid the foundation; now let’s get into the nitty-gritty. We’ll look at soil and planting, and try to make sense out of what we already think we know about dirt.
Until then, hug a tree.
Resources
You are never alone. Now is a good time to meet some of our friends.
Here’s a list of resources covering some of the main ideas and tools of our new gardening paradigm.
Who else is gardening in this manner?
Findhorn: The book that got me started on the path - The Magic of Findhorn, by Paul Hawken.
Perelandra: A modern how-to workbook by the acknowledged leader in the field - Perelandra Garden Workbook: A Complete Guide to Gardening with Nature Intelligences, by Machaelle Small Wright.
Where do I get help with applied kinesiology?
Both books above talk about applied kinesiology. The Perelandra book provides substantial help.
Good old Wikipedia provides a bit of background information.
You can find some nice demonstrations on YouTube.
Where do I get help with dowsing?
You'll find a couple articles on my healing website, www.Heal-life.org.
Google "Letter to Robin" - it's considered the classic for beginning dowsers.
The American Society of Dowsers website.
Lesson Four: Hit The Dirt!
Intro: First Foot Forward
When you put your first foot forward, it lands on the earth, reminding you of the connection between your body and Nature. Perhaps you garden in your bare feet, and your first step lands in soil. You do remember the feeling of bare feet in soil, don’t you?
More likely, you’re wearing some sort of footwear and touching down on concrete. That’s ok.
Regardless, putting that first foot forward is a great time to pause and click into a different gear.
Remember who you are and who your partner is. Step into that connection with Nature. Do this every time you enter your garden.
By the time you hit your second or third step, you’re in action. Let’s get started!
Exercise: Don’t Just Stand There: Plant Something!
Your goal today is to plant something. To take a positive step forward in collaboration with Nature. To build. To claim your new garden, now operating under a new paradigm with a new partner. To plant your flag.
In the last Learning Lesson, we explained how to hold a conversation with Nature about what to plant and where. So, get to it!
When you handle a plant, connect with it. Observe it carefully. Allow each of your senses to report fully.
It’s ok to ask questions to and about your plant. What’s its character? What is it telling you? Why did it find its way into your care at this moment?
Appreciate your plant. Notice its beauty - its form - its color - its flowers. Imagine what it will look like thriving in your garden. Picture it in all its glory.
Be gentle. Go slowly with this one. Groom each plant as you plant it. Take your time. This deep connection is truly what gardening is all about. Don’t miss a single opportunity to enjoy it!
Plant by plant, connection by connection, you’re recreating your garden with Nature. Each time you enter your new garden, these connections will strengthen and deepen.
The last time I walked into the plant department at Lowe’s, I almost cried from what felt like a sudden, unexpected outpouring of love between all the plants and me. This is what Nature and I want for you in your garden.
Nature Spirits: What Do I Do Now?
We’ve written about the nature of your partnership with Nature. We’ve identified these roles and responsibilities:
Establishing desires/parameters for the garden - You
Overall planning - Nature
Daily work assignment - Nature
Discerning the to-list - You
Implementing the to-do list - You
Carrying out a million operational details - Nature
Enjoying the fruits of your labor - You and Nature
So, your next step is to figure out what Nature has assigned for you to do today. Keep this in mind: the things on your to-do list are things Nature thinks you can do today reasonably, and things you’re better equipped to handle than She is. They're also things designed to help you heal.
That makes you an important part of the daily routine.
In the Introductory Learning Lesson, we provided a checklist of possible tasks to help you get started. I suggest you make up your own. The idea is to help you manage your conversation with Nature.
My conversation goes something like this:
Anything for me to do today in the garden?
Inside?
Front yard?
Back yard?
Is there watering to do?
Water plants in containers?
All containers?
Some?
Just the herbs?
Anything else to water?
Anything else need doing in back?
Pruning?
Cleanup?
Around the annual garden?
You get the idea. Pretty soon I’ve got my to-do list roughed together and I’m ready to get to work. Sometimes I have to ask Nature about the order of things to be done. I find Nature much more efficient at organizing my time in the garden than I am. And remember, when I used to do this for a living, I imagined I was pretty good at it!
As I go about my tasks, I’m asking Nature for additional guidance whenever I can. For example, I always ask if this is enough water. After watering with Nature for awhile I have a sort of feel for how much to water, but I always ask to make sure.
And, it’s always good to check in at the end of each task and make sure it really is the end. Sometimes I find the task list changes a bit as I move through it. Often this is because I wasn’t in position to ask the right questions originally, when I made my list. Sometimes new opportunities pop up. And I must admit, sometimes I’m not being as effective as I could be, which means I can’t get the entire list done that day.
Following this routine is pretty simple, even if it seems strange at the beginning. Most humans aren’t used to a real partnership, and certainly not used to a partner like this one!
Plants: Green Side Up
We landscapers used to joke about silly customers and crew members who we thought should know better about how things work in the garden. One boss said he would never live to see the day when he didn’t have to remind his crews to not stick their hands or feet under their lawn mower. The standard answer to anyone’s question about how to plant something was “green side up.”
With Nature, I had to move beyond a lot of things I thought I knew about gardening. For example, some time ago, Nature wanted me to transplant my lemon tree from its spot in the front yard into a container. It had been in the ground for about a year and had just started to bloom.
I was preparing to move away from my home and had already come to grips with the fact that there was no way my lemon was coming with me. Even if it could be moved, it would be far more work than I could justify. Nature said “do it anyway.” I was having trouble believing Nature’s message, so I asked about a hundred times to make sure I was getting the message correctly.
Then I did the evil deed.
As I bent the trunk back and forth, leaning it closer and closer to the ground, I cringed as roots snapped. When she gave up and released, there was no root ball to speak of. I carried her gently to the back yard, and following instructions, planted her in sand and mulched the container with mesquite litter. I had to stake her because she didn’t have enough roots to stand on her own.
As a landscaper, I considered this folly. But as a partner, I followed instructions. I watered almost daily and did some healing work along the way. Three weeks later, my lemon tree was blooming profusely. It set some actual lemons, and grew new leaves. I found it a new home and it's doing quite nicely, thank you! As far as I’m concerned, that’s beyond amazing; it’s a miracle.
Thriving Garden: Blessing
About the most heart-felt connection I make with an individual plant is to bless it. You can bless a plant any time – you’ll feel the connection when you do!
I say it slowly, something like this:
I bless you
I respect you
I honor you
I thank you
I love you
And I ask that blessings be poured out upon you!
Energy in The Garden: Clearing Command
If everything is energy, including thoughts, and energy responds to our intention, how can we direct energy to help Nature in the garden? Actually, there are lots of ways - today, let’s concentrate on using words.
Words are symbols. Words are energy. Words can be directed. Let’s direct some word-energy to help our plants. Say this like you mean it:
It is by intent and purpose, Spirit of Nature, Spirit of Rog, Spirit of (your name), that we immediately zero the life force of all chemicals, heavy metals, ureic acid, manmade pathogens, and natural pathogens throughout all systems of all plants on this property, without negative side-effects, by call. We do this by multiple frequencies, harmonics, simultaneously, giving discretionary priority to the Nature Spirits. Do it now.
What we’ve done here is a command. By invoking the power of Nature, you, and me, we’ve directed that the precise frequencies necessary be provided to exactly counterbalance unwanted frequencies in our plants – zeroing them out.
Here are some simple guidelines for issuing this clearing command:
Say the clearing command daily, or more frequently if intuition or dowsing sparks the need.
Allow sufficient time to center yourself and focus on the command.
After completing the command, wait about 2 minutes before closing with “I Believe, I Receive, I Accept this Gift of Healing. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Around The Garden: Digging
In general, Nature prefers pinpoint surgical maneuvers to slash-and-burn or fun with a backhoe. What’s the minimum you can do to accomplish Nature’s request?
For some people, blasting around the garden with power tools and broad brushes brings a lot of excitement. Nature’s goal has more to do with peace and joy in the garden.
Besides, part of the advantage of having a partner like Nature is that we don’t have to do a lot of unnecessary work or waste a lot of money. We know just what to do - no more, no less - to get the job done.
There are certainly some cases when Nature’s going to want the 4’x4’x4’ tree hole, but those are the exceptions. More often, I find myself digging when the soil is in perfect condition, and easily slipping a plant into a hole just big enough to fit.
Believe it or not, even here in the desert, I regularly find earthworms in our soil. And I’m doing absolutely nothing deliberate to foster their welcome presence. I water a lot less than anyone around me, and I don’t add organic matter to the soil.
So, take it easy out there!
People in The Garden: It’s Time To Celebrate!
You’ve made it through the first four Learning Lessons – it’s time to celebrate! I have an idea, I invite you and your new partner into your garden for a cool drink in a comfortable chair. Take a few moments to get connected and then reflect on the new paradigm for gardening. See what’s showing up differently for you.
And then have a toast with Nature. Express your gratitude for the opportunity to work together. Speak from your heart about the possibilities opening before you. If you listen carefully, you can hear your new partner expressing Her enthusiasm for your partnership. Nature has been waiting a long time for moments like this!
Rest in the peace and joy in your garden and its growing energy. You’ve earned it!
What’s Next
You’ve learned enough already to launch your partnership with Nature and develop it. Future Learning Lessons will take you deeper into this experience. There’s much to learn, much to explore, much to enjoy, and much to share.
In some ways, we’ve only opened the door to possibilities. Where could those possibilities lead? That’s up to you - and your partner.
Thank you for reading about this new paradigm – we appreciate your time and effort. Thank you for every exercise you did – every connection you made with Nature. Our best wishes to you as the adventure continues. We’re rooting for your success!
Remember, you and I and Nature are one – see you in the garden!
Acknowledgements
The Nature Spirits thank me and I thank them for this opportunity to be of service to you. We thank you for reading this message to you and bringing joy to us in its creation. And we acknowledge your work and your commitment to bringing peace and joy, life and sense into your garden, and for sharing it with others!
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End Stuff
Thank You To Readers
Thank you for reading this e-book! And more importantly, thank you for your commitment to garden with Nature. Your intentions and actions along this road make vital contributions to the world. These contributions cannot be measured and may never be fully understood by you or me. Blessings to you!
We caution you against saying too much too soon about your new adventure. However, you will now "see" those around you who, like you, are either gardening with Nature or seem ready to begin. We invite you to send them a copy of this e-book. The advantage of this e-book is that it says the thing-that-cannot-be-said - or at least tells it in a way that would be difficult for you at this moment. We hope it will become a beautiful gift for many - both as givers and receivers.
Remember that you are never alone when you're with Nature. If you get stuck, please send me an email.
See you in the garden!
Roger
About the author
Roger Wyer discovered his personal mission inscribed by his Sunday school teacher on the inside of the Bible he received in fourth grade: “Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.” He’s been learning about and practicing this mission ever since.
Rog is a writer, teacher, and speaker – one known in ancient times as “scribe.” His first book is entitled “Choosing Joy at Work.” His second book, "Peaceful Awakening is also available at Smashwords.com. As a healer, Rog is engaged in an all-in experiment in faith, in which every action is guided by Spirit.
Reverend Rog founded Heal-Life.org in 2008 to serve as the focal point for sharing the healing knowledge coming his way at warp speed. He’s studied energy medicine with Bob LaBine and Dr. Marvin Seeman, and Huna with Tex Baker. He has benefited greatly from collaboration with fellow students and the many books which continue to show up at just the right moment. Rog honors all wisdom traditions and those who share them.
Rog is a researcher by nature, and a systems guy by bent, so he was always trying to figure out how things work and how to get them to work more effectively – until he gave it all over to Spirit. His years devoted to generating meaningful conversations and his training as a teacher make him well-suited to developing and sharing healing knowledge.
While working in landscape design and installation, Rog realized he’s part tree. He’s fully embraced a gift from Nature – a new gardening paradigm – and the calling to share it. He’s laying out this new paradigm on his website GardeningWithNature.org.
A dog-lover from childhood, Rog treasures his meaningful conversations with the pooches he meets and heals. To him, there’s no clearer form of communication than a wagging tail. This love affair with dogs now extends to all animals.
As co-founder and partner in BizWorks Studio, Rog works with individuals, couples, authors, and organizations to help them make desired changes quickly and effectively.
Rog served as internal and external consultant to businesses and non-profit organizations for over twenty-five years. Much of that time was spent in the construction industry, with experience in operations, systems, human resources, and continuous improvement. Rog also served as a community planner, neighborhood organizer, and volunteer leader.
Contact The Author
Connect with Rog online
On Facebook and Linkedin
Rog's blog at: https://www.rogerwyer.com
Rog's blog at Heal-Life.org: http://heal-life.org/?page_id=16
Rog's blog at Gardening With Nature: http://gardeningwithnature.org/?page_id=69
Rog's blog at Conversation Point: http://conversationpoint.com/?page_id=5
Email Rog at rog@GardeningWithNature.org
Readers Group Study Guide
Even though your road to gardening with Nature is yours alone, you will probably want to seek help from your brothers and sisters. As you move down the road leaving behind much of what you thought you knew, you will experience moments of doubt, fear, and frustration. Being part of a small group who commit to share their awakening experiences with each can be a blessing.
We encourage you to meet regularly with your group and to call upon each other individually between meetings when you feel troubled. Remember to lighten up and have fun when you are together.
We recommend a process we call "meaningful conversation." Rather than provide detailed, step-by-step instructions, we offer simple guidelines to follow in generating meaningful conversations for your group:
Remember the purpose of your group. We suggest this one: We collectively create an environment which fosters thoughtful conversation, encouraging spiritual growth.
Collectively means we do this together – we rely on each other – we trust each other.
Create means we bring something new into existence – each and every conversation.
Environment means everything in the room – from the physical room itself to the mood and energy alive in the room.
Foster means we set it up so conversation and people thrive.
Thoughtful means new thinking that opens new doors.
Conversation means talking and listening, honoring each other, sharing and caring.
Encouraging means holding a space for others to succeed.
Spiritual means our road to awakening.
Growth means change – positive change.
Traditions to include:
Introductions
Meaningful questions
What I need today is…
Announcements
Benefits of meaningful conversation:
Speaking and being heard
Listening and uncovering answers
Bonding and building relationships
Gaining respect and trust
Having fun
Improving quality of life
Laying a foundation for personal change
Taking responsibility
Learning to ask for and receive help
People are hungry for meaningful conversation. In today’s world, meaningful conversation doesn’t show up often enough to fulfill our need to connect, learn, and grow. Conversation is a basic building block of life and hence a powerful lever for change. Changing the conversation changes the way we see the world around us as well as the way we interact with each other. The quality of our lives is measured by the quality of our conversations. Meaningful conversation uplifts us and raises our energy.
And do let us know how it's going for you and your group!