Montana Healing Connections

Co-Creating

This time of the year is one of my favorite seasons. Especially living in northwest Montana where we have had a particularly long and snowy winter, this spring is a true blessing. The bushes, trees, and flowers are out of the ordinary after the dreary winter and the flowers that bloom are brightening my life.

And so I was thinking how our gardens offer us a perfect opportunity to reconnect to our true selves and help us remember our place in the natural world. Rather than approach our gardens as mere investments of energy, and personal pleasure of the blossoms and blooms, we can look at the entire process of gardening, from planting seeds to harvesting food and flowers, as a way of deepening our conscious relationship with the creative force of the universe.

As we shift our intention from dominating, or at least directing nature, to co-creating with nature instead, we may discover a deep peace and renewed sense of wonder.

Over the years, I have become less ‘fussy’ about all the weeds in my flowerbeds, and have come to understand some of what I termed unwanted are in fact beneficial and beautiful.

To co-create we must first begin with a foundation of mutual respect. As you create your garden in partnership with nature, you can respect the earth, water, insects and animals by using organic seeds, soil and fertilizers. You can also communicate with the plants, insects and elements involved in your garden, and create a regular practice of stillness to listen for any messages they may have for you. As a Reiki practitioner, I use those blessings, send love, health, and balance to my plants. When it comes time for harvesting fresh vegetables or picking the beautiful blooms, you might even ask permission first. If you ask with an open heart, you will always receive an answer. The trees around our home bring me abundant blessings and creative answers. The strength and sturdiness of those grand creations is a true miracle.

Think about yourself as co-creating with nature in your garden. You might decide, for example, to forego your calendar and plant in rhythm with the cycles of the moon. Or, you might choose to ignore clock time and water your garden when the sun hits a certain position in the sky. By opening your garden experience to more of nature’s input, you can become available to witness a whole universe of miracles, while engendering a greater sense of honor between the two worlds. And after all, the planting, growing and harvesting cycle has been going on for eons, without our contemporary methods.

When we recognize ourselves as allies, or co-creators, with the earth and the natural world, our relationship to our environment begins to change. We no longer feel the need to control the circumstances around us and can bask and grow in the perfection of all that is. Not only by living with this conviction in our relationship with nature and earth, can we intensify our co-creation of all aspects of life.