Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Gardening as a State of Repose




Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.

Peace comes from within.

Buddha




Donna of Garden Walk, Garden Talk has started a regular Word for Wednesday linking party which is an "exploration of words through pictures, where a word relates to the story in photos." This week's word is "Repose."

I thought that I would put a little zen into my interpretation of this week's word and define repose as a "state of peace."


As the senses go, vision is a bit of a lout that crowds out its fellow senses out. We trust it implicitly, though it can often lead us astray.

Close your lids and suddenly sounds and subtle scents step to the forefront. Freed from scenery overload that vision entails, the mind turns inward and the body relaxes.



I think gardening is a similar escape from the dominant preoccupations of everyday life.  It may be hard work, but ironically it is restful and restorative too. The mind is free to wonder as hands are busy poking around in the dirt.

In many respects, gardening is a state of repose.



To see other interesting interpretations of the word repose, hop on over to GardenWalk, Garden Talk.

22 comments:

  1. Your photos are so beautiful today and really give a sense of zen and repose. The grasses are so heavenly. Thank you so much for joining in with your images and your interpretation of gardening and escape. It is a wise and thoughtful look at gardening.

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  2. Lovely post, and you have captured "repose" so well.

    That photo of the anemone transfixes me. I have tried to capture the delicate pink blooms and silver buds on my plant many times, but was never satisfied. This shot does it -- you got the shy delicacy and bright showiness of this beautiful plant.

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  3. This is such a relaxing post. Somehow I feel more calm after going through your photos and words :) Buddha's image has been used in quite a few Repose post. Have yet to see a sleeping Buddha.

    Your photos are beautiful.

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  4. I love this post. Such peace is felt when reading it...the images beautiful. I love the Buddha and this is a fav quote of mine...

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  5. Hello jennifer,
    What a lovely post. I agree with you that gardening brings more peace in our minds than anything else. Your photographie is brillant.
    Warm wishes Marijke

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  6. Jennifer, what a wonderful post. It's so true that what you said....the 'work' of a garden is 'restful'. It's what my Mom would call a true 'Labour of Love.'

    And your photos, are, well as beautiful as ever!

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  7. Oh, I agree gardening is peaceful. I get very cranky if I don't get my gardening 'fix' for the day! Love the photo of the grasses blowing in the wind.

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  8. Well my first repose posting NAILS it. The Buddha piece is a great way to start me off this week

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  9. Your entire post is peaceful and the pictures are incredible! When I garden I lose all track of time and context. It's like I just disappear into my own world. It's the most beautiful work I do! LOVE the Buddha quote. :o)

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  10. I totally agree with you! & pulling weeds and edging garden beds is therapeutic - cleaning up the garden beds helps you to clean out your mind.

    Thanks for visiting today!

    Cheers!

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  11. Lovely post :) I just posted a photo of the anemones too - just stunning, aren't they? Lovely to 'meet' you here in your beautiful blog XOLaura

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  12. This is marvelous, contemplating in the pictures is really meditative! I love the expressions of the grasses. You know what, i have photos of those grasses too!

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  13. The pictures are lovely but your take on the word repose is captivating. Just talking about what it means to you has a calming effect.

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  14. So much beauty. Your photo's were wonderful. I loved the pink blooms, exquisite!

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  15. Greetings from Finland. We already have a long fall. First Snow as soon as we are waiting =)...

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  16. Incredible pictures, especially the white glads. I enjoyed your restful words, and the garden is definitely a place of repose - once the work is complete! :)

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  17. My first time visiting your blog - I enjoyed it very much and look forward to visiting again.

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  18. Such beautiful images--I feel more relaxed already! I often think of all the "work" I have to do in the garden, but you're right that it is pleasurable work. There's nothing like gardening for relieving stress and lifting up one's spirits.

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  19. Thank you, Jennifer! This was sublime.

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  20. Gardening really is a state of repose. I view it as a connection with the earth. Beautiful photos again Jennifer. :-)

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