Closer to God in a garden

[Millymollymandy]

OK OK not only can I not spell lavender but it didn't occur to me to put them in with my undies. What am I like?

Will look at those recipes. It's a shame because I really thought lavender bread would be yummy. Perhaps it goes better with sweet things.

[Steve Hanson]

I always feel a little jittery talking about God, my whole life here is about being closer to a higher power, God if that’s what you want to call it but I have no religion.

I am not an anything religious except that I have faith and lots of it, I feel so much closer to a higher power out in the fresh air caring for the environment and its inhabitants.

[hedgewizard]

I thought as much - although many of us shy away from being labelled there seems to be a universal feeling of connection to the divine in a garden. I feel it out in the wilds too, but it's not so strong as when I'm in my garden. Perhaps that's because there is a more direct interdependency with the garden - I'm as much its servant as its master!

[wulf]

I don't know if I'd go as far as to say "universal" - you'd have to (find and) check on cannotbebothereredwithanyselfsufficiency.com to garner the views of those who aren't a nature loving group in the first place!

While I'm being (mildly) cantankerous, I'm not sure I'd go along with your statement about gardens being more spiritual places than wilds. Last year I enjoyed taking part in a walk along the ancient pilgrimage route of El Camino de Santiago in northern Spain and, while that also passed through towns and a lot of heavily cultivated land, it started off at O'Cebreiro, which had a passionate richness to it's wild scapes, particularly when we rose for the first day of the walk to see cloud tops in the valley below:



I'm sure that varies from person to person but there's certainly something that calls to me about landscape untamed by any human hand.

Wulf

[Boots]

I don't know if I am really closer to god in a garden... I figure a higher power is omnipotent, so the peace that comes with a sense of connection to all that is, can occur anywhere for me, i guess... Little kids bring me that peace, as do animals... and water... some people or tasks more than others.

I think I am very definately closer to ME in a garden, and liken it to the same state of mind I enter when I am lifting weights. Inwardly focussed...and less inclined to notice distractions or feel disturbed by things. When pulled from the quiet reverie that seems to go with both these things, I am more likely to respond thoughtfully, calmly and a bit more reflectively, and definately more quietly than usual.

It's a nice place.

I don't like religion, but that doesn't mean I don't like religiously minded people. I dislike anything divisive and consider religion to be the number one source of division in our world. I was horrified when whole populations just nodded at the suggestion that Iraq was to be a Holy War... how on earth could we as humans allow those two words to be used together?

I have identified as a pagan in the past - and appreciate paganisms history. I liked the literal meaning for pagan, which to my understanding refers to an earth dweller and originally came about when Christianity was introduced to the townships... the country dwellers (pagans) were overlooked or unreachable and missed out on the 'education'. They were then cast as "simple folk" - as in uneducated in the teachings of Christianity. Their earthy simplicity was mocked and feared as they continued to function in line with crops, their worldy faith and the natural cycle of things - with success. Their understanding and belief was considered a threat, and as is the case with all religions, many suffered in the fight for religious superiority.

It is funny you mention city dwelling witches... because in all honesty I have never met an earth living witch. I have travelled throughout Aus and met many who identify as witches... They all live in cities or towns in suburban houses - and I think maybe its become a bit of trendy thing in the past 15 years or so? They all have fun, and generally promote the sisterhood and practice alternate therapies, or eating habits, hippy clothes etc... I am laughing because they are all good value... heaps nice girls... When I was a kid we would have just used the word eccentric to describe them, I think.

Anyway today, I make a point of not aligning with any religion. It is more important to me to encourage unity with all that is...

Gardens are good. So are people.

Religion is a psychology unto itself.

[woolcraft]

Last year we travelled by coach from Bodrum, SW Turkey to Ephesus to look at the fantastic ruins there. After two or three hours of travelling over the mountains, through the olive groves, we suddenly descended into what I recognised as the 'fertile plane'. This touched me more than most things I have seen because on each side of the road were small homesteads with their gardens of sweetcorn, sesame, grains, melons, squashes etc. and the obvious care and love which had been given them was I think what really reached me. I felt at one with the people who tended the crops. This is something about gardening which goes deeep. Sue

[hedgewitch]

Wulf that picture is fantastic. What an opportunity you had to walk in those beautiful mountains

[hedgewizard]

I didn't say everyone felt it in gardens more than wilds - only me! Another observation - we're a contrary bunch, but that's why we're here in the first place. Boots, we have a difference in terminology here - by divine I don't mean a "higher" power exactly, since we are all part of this power in any case. Let's not get into theological debate though... the thread has answered the question I hoped it would in that I'm not alone in feeling this way. Perhaps it would have been better to ask "does anyone NOT feel anything like this".

I don't like religion either, and don't regard paganism as a religion per se. It's a label I use 'cos I've never found one that fits what I practice more closely, although I've nicked a lot of buddhist principles. Only the ones I like though I'm what Prince Charles refers to when he talks about Pick'n'Mix spirituality - but tough tits Charlie!

Hey, I've just realised I recycle bits of theology. 101 uses for an old theosophical argument, anyone?

[Muddypause]

Before you theists get too involved in a smug-athon, I'd just like to put in a word for atheists.

...there seems to be a universal feeling of connection to the divine in a garden.

As a devout, born-again atheist, the divine knows only too well not to set foot in my garden, and personally, I think I can appreciate it the better for that. And he/she/it doesn't mess with me while I'm pondering the univers out in the wilds, either.

[hedgewizard]

Hang on a minute, I'm no theist! Theists start with the idea of a divine power and then work downward, which means there's a gulf between the divine and the real world. I've always thought of myself as more of a deist really, although I think some aspects of the divine do care. Again, we're confusing our definitions.

[Muddypause]

You wanna play definitions, eh?

According to my dictionary (Chambers), 'deism' is belief in the existence of god, but not in a divinely revealed religion. 'Theism', on the other hand, is a morbid state resulting from too much tea drinking. Oh, hang on, there's more: a belief in the existence of god with or without a belief in a special revelation.

Either seem to be implicit in the title of the thread. Theism would seem to encompass deism.

In my particular branch of the English language (Stewglish), a theist is someone who isn't an atheist (the words are perfect antonyms). Its for you to decided for yourselves which finite interpretation you wish to apply to yourselves beyond that.

As a renowned tea drinker, I am, apparently, a theic atheist.

[hedgewizard]

OMG!

I always thought theism required revealed religion! It doesn't! Arsebuggerdamn.

I'm tempted to argue the toss here but it's hardly the place for it; but all I'll say is that in the end it doesn't matter what you or I or anyone else here chooses to believe (or not to believe). What matters is what you DO.

I grow stuff (don't read the Apple Pruning thread!) and I'm quite happy about it. It makes me feel and it seems to make other people feel too!

[Wombat]

Interesting feeling that - watching a group who don't got religion trying to tear eachother new corn chutes!



Nev

[hedgewizard]

group? *bridles* Who you callin' a group?

[Boots]

Wha? Someone is trying to tear up my corn????

*runs outside desperately trying to work out what on earth a chute is.... and how the heck do I protect it!*

Aaaaaah!