Mindfulness in the Garden - by Zachiah Murray (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Mindfulness in the Garden offers simple mindfulness verses (gathas) composed to connect the mind and body and to bring the reader/gardener's awareness to the details of the present moment as they work in the garden. These gathas are signposts leading to nature, to the present, and ultimately to one's self through the love and understanding they evoke. The gathas offered with each gardening activity serves to water the seeds of mindfulness within us, and softening and preparing the ground for our ability to be present.

Mindfulness in the Garden values weeds as important messengers seeking to bring into close communion our spiritual nature with that of the environment. It likens spiritual practice to cultivating a garden and inspires each person to accept themselves and start where they are, weeds and all. Through the practice of mindful gardening, we invite not only the thriving of the natural world but also the flowering and beauty of the pure land of our true self to emerge.

Features black and white botanical illustrations throughout.
Introduction by Thich Nhat Hanh, author of Present Moment Wonderful Moment
Foreword by Wendy Johnson, author of Gardening at the Dragon's Gate

Review Quotes

"Zachiah Murray's deep rooted practice of Mindfulness in the Garden offers grounded encouragement and inspiration for our times."
--Wendy Johnson, Gardening at the Dragon's Gate, At Work in the Wild, and Cultivated World

"Nourish your heart with the beautiful gathas in this bookthat flow from the joy of the garden."
--Cheryl Wilfong, The Meditative Gardener: Cultivating Mindfulness of Body, Feelings, and Mind

"A lovely book. I will keep it by my bed, on my altar, or in the garden. Mindfulness in the Garden is a gift for anyone who knows the garden as sacred space."
--Elizabeth Murray, Cultivating Sacred Space: Gardening for the Soul

About the Author

Zachiah Laurann Murray is a registered landscape architect whose vision and passion is to collaborate and consult with landscape architects, architects, civil engineers, and environmental organizations in the creative, instinctive, and most ecologically sensitive approach to designing and developing our land. As a steward of the land, they encourage the preservation and restoration of the environment to ensure future generations a quality of life enriched through their ability to connect with Mother Earth in a way unique to themselves. A member of the Order of Interbeing in the lineage of Thich Nhat Hanh and a Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, Zachiah Murray teaches meditation and mindfulness. They live in Santa Cruz, California.

Mick McEvoy brings more than twenty years of experience in mindfulness, nature connection, and ecological restoration to his role as the head of the permaculture garden and Happy Farm at Plum Village France, the Buddhist monastery founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. McEvoy has dedicated his life to cultivating not only the vegetables that nourish the community but also a deeper connection between people and the natural world through teaching a year-long organic farming program and retreats throughout the year.

Jason DeAntonis is a professional artist, designer, and builder from Berkeley, California.