Journal of Sacred Work

Today’s meditation was written by Cathy Self, Senior Vice President for the Baptist Healing Trust.

"Where there is a gardener, there is a garden" – Michael Brown

In his book The Presence Process, author Michael Brown uses the metaphor of a garden to communicate the impact of awareness and intention in life. When we choose to fully participate in life, with sleeves rolled up and a willingness to dig in the dirt, we become what he calls gardeners of life. The simple act of giving thought to the practice of presence brings us into the acute awareness of the moment. There are wonderful possibilities that are awakened as a consequence of choosing to embrace present moment awareness. In the author’s words, these are the fruits and flowers that emerge as a result of our intentions. In the Christian tradition the Gospel of Matthew says "By their fruits they shall be known" (Matt. 7:16). It seems to me that these fruits are the same gifts that are born as we seek to Live Love. Today’s meditation is an invitation to walk through your own garden to notice and appreciate the fruits and flowers that may have emerged from your efforts as a gardener in the Garden of Love:

Responding rather than reacting. The conscious choice to Live Love results in a freedom to respond rather than the tyranny of reacting. From Love is born a garden bed filled with delights and in which there is no room for the weeds of fear, anger, or blame. Rather than reacting to a given situation or person, the intention to Live Love bears the fruit of patience and kindness.

Increased energy. Most of us probably learned somewhere along the way that it takes many more muscles to frown than it does to smile. The energy expended in anger is energy wasted. Along the path of Love we find it unnecessary to carry the heavy loads of negative emotion, control, anxiety, or pride.

Work becomes effortless. With a heart turned toward Love, we are no longer distracted by gaining the upper hand or achievement. The joy of the present moment takes that which may be considered by some to be mundane and transforms it into meaningful and joyful activity. Brother Lawrence was a wonderful example of the practice of presence and Love, modeling joyfulness in washing dishes and scrubbing floors!

Less need for distractions. The Garden of Love is filled with spaces for quiet and stillness. In the awareness of the moment we are free to enjoy simply being with no need to do. From the choice to Live Love grows the capacity to be authentic, without the need for title, position, or power. "Nothing we do can assist us to be," asserts Brown.

Spontaneous gratitude. The most amazing fruit I’ve discovered in my own garden is that of spontaneous gratitude. As author Brown states, this gratitude is "for everything that life is and the endless honor of being a part of it." In the midst of living Love, there is a moment in which its force captures us much like the fragrance of a single flower might. Such feelings of gratitude grow from the garden of Love and cannot be forced, but when it emerges "it causes us to gasp in awe at life because we are in it and because we are it."

Deep sense of Purpose. Love invites us to be authentic, not to a certain role or job title, but to be here, now. To show up in the garden, to choose Love, to be present and pay attention – these are the things that are asked of the gardener. "We live to love and love to live."

   Of course, life and its gardens are always and all ways. Even rose bushes have thorns. The choice to Live Love brings with it times of sweat and tears, of laughter and peace, of the sweet fragrance and the sharp thorn. In the end, these will show sweet fruit and an endless bounty of color and beauty. What are the fruits and flowers of your journey to Live Love?