The garden taught us what it means to create a sanctuary

Our meadow is the home to hundreds of dragonflies. When we first moved here, we made a little trail through the tall meadow grass and matted down a small circular area where we could lie down and blend into the landscape.

We would eat lunch, nap, and sleep outside under the summer stars, there in our "special" place.

Little did we know that 4 years later our "special" place would be become the center of the Dragonfly Garden.

Looking back, I see that our deep appreciation for the natural world had established an energetic foundation there, well before we had the idea of the garden.

Once we tilled the land and started planting, we had an unusual feeling that the garden was guiding us. We consciously decided to honor the "soul" of the garden and let it take the led. Our job was to listen and follow.

"Listen and attend with the ear of your heart."
 - Saint Benedict

The garden started teaching us what it means to create a sanctuary. A feeling of awe grew as we watched the complexities of the dynamic ecosystem built itself up, from a bare plot of plowed land. Frogs, snakes, bugs, birds, and bees came to the garden, somehow just at the right time, to participate in creating a community of harmony and peace. We were witnessing the over-arching Intelligence of the natural world, as it masterfully created a living canvas of beauty before our eyes.

We began to notice that casual conversations in the garden could lead to worldly concerns, politics, or personal issues. Phone calls and business details could interrupt from the home office. This energy was jarring and distracting and in such contrast to the peace in the garden, that we started managing conversations and taking care of business outside the garden. At first this felt awkward, but then it became clear that the energy of the garden was benefiting.

I started to become conscious of my own thoughts as I was working in the garden. It was surprising what came up while thinning the carrot patch. I discovered that family dynamics and joint grass have a lot in common. Old mental habits like worry, attachment, striving, and greed surfaced while dealing with typical gardening problems. The power of the energy of the garden and my willingness to honor it, allowed me to step back and view things from a larger perspective. In doing so, I began to realize that I could make different choices -- ones that contributed in a positive way to the vibrational energy of the garden.

I chose to not get distracted by my thoughts. If they came up, I would just look at them as my mental compost pile that was being turned, and in the process being loved, acknowledged and transformed in the sanctity of this sacred space.

I began to practice staying present in the moment, admiring and appreciating the beauty before me. While doing this I began to have experiences were I blended into the landscape of the garden. Rather than looking out at the beauty, I was a part of it. This feeling of timelessness in the moment was an experience of communion with the sacred energy of Life. I realized that the garden was acting as a living sanctuary, a type of portal or gateway, supporting my connection to a spiritual realm of expanded consciousness.

I began to find ways new ways to contribute to the sense of sanctuary and started blessing the garden before entering it. When I first arrived at the gate, I'd stand outside and raise my hand above my head and chant OM 3 times. The energy felt pure and uncluttered by words.

Then I would connect with my "sincerely prayerful mind" which activates my intention and gratitude to all of those seen and unseen beings who are supportive of our garden project.

Afterwards, I'd walk around the outside of the garden, with my hands outstretched in front of me, repeating this blessing written by Anthony:

In the Light of the Divine,
In the Spirit of the Sacred,
Shining Forth All Love.

The practice of being mindful of our actions and respectful of the sacred space of the garden, began to extend into other areas of our life. We decided it would be good to establish our whole property as a sanctuary of peace for nature and wildlife. By placing signs at the top of the driveway, by the front door, and at the garden gate we energized the intention in our hearts and minds. The signs also served very nicely to communicate with others without us having to tell everyone.

Recently a group of over 30 people came for a wedding and family reunion, bringing together a wide variety of people and mixture of energy. We watched as the magical energy of the property and garden sanctuary transported them into a feeling of great joy and happiness. It lingered well after they were gone and our hearts smiled knowing that the sacred energy of sanctuary was at work.

"Through Reverence for Life I raise my existence
to its highest value and offer it to the world." -- Albert Schweitzer