Hello,
And welcome back to session 10 of Stillness Speaks.
My name is Colleen,
And today's practice is called What the Garden Teaches.
Over the years,
Tending to my garden has taught me as much about life as it has about plants.
It's shown me the value of patience,
That some seeds take their time to break through the soil.
It's taught me trust,
That even when nothing seems to be happening,
Growth is quietly unfolding beneath the surface.
It's reminded me that rest is just as essential as action,
And that beauty arrives in its own season.
Whether or not you've had your hands in the dirt,
There is a garden within you,
A place where seeds of intention,
Hope,
And healing are planted.
Today's meditation is a chance to tend that inner garden with care,
With presence,
And with love.
Let's begin.
Please find a comfortable place to land,
Allowing your body to settle into the support beneath you.
Closing your eyes,
Drop your shoulders,
Relax your jaw,
And rest your hands gently,
Releasing any grasp.
Soften your belly,
Allowing your breath to flow more freely.
Imagine yourself standing at the edge of a peaceful garden.
The air is fresh,
Carrying the scent of earth and blooming flowers.
The ground feels soft beneath your feet.
This garden is yours,
A reflection of your inner world.
Here,
Everything grows in its own perfect time.
So,
Breathe slowly,
In and out through your nose.
No rush,
No forcing,
Just a steady,
Even rhythm.
Let each exhale feel like a softening.
Loosening the soil to make space for growth.
On your next inhale,
Silently say to yourself,
I nurture.
On your exhale,
Silently say,
Growth.
On your next inhale,
I nurture.
Exhale,
Growth.
Feel the words take root in your body.
Each breath is an act of tending,
Of nourishing the seeds you've planted.
In your own life.
As you continue breathing,
Imagine planting a seed in this inner garden.
It might represent a new beginning,
A dream,
A habit,
A relationship.
Or simply more space for peace.
Cover it gently with soil.
Give it your attention,
Your patience,
Your care.
There is no need to rush its growth.
The garden teaches us that what is meant to bloom will bloom in its own time.
Let yourself rest in the garden,
Breathing slowly,
Allowing your body to soften into stillness.
Trust that your tending is enough.
Trust that what you've planted will grow.
My voice will be quiet for a little while.
Stay here in the stillness of your inner garden.
When you're ready,
Begin to bring your awareness back to the space around you.
Notice the sounds,
The air on your skin,
The support beneath you.
Begin to move your fingers and toes.
Roll your shoulders.
Take a deep breath in and an even deeper breath out.
Slowly open your eyes.
The garden teaches us to nurture what we value,
To trust the unseen work beneath the surface,
And to honor the pace of growth.
May you be well,
May you trust your own inner wisdom,
And may you always nurture what matters most,
Growing in your own perfect time.
