The Healing Earth Garden

     The Healing Earth Garden at Madre Grande Monastery is a project inspired by discussions around the kitchen table in my friend Olga’s house. We were pondering how to maintain our connection with the Great Spirit while practicing life. My friend was illumined by a powerful, simple suggestion: “Ask the Healing Earth!” A few days later she came up with a written plan that I eventually manifested at Madre Grande Monastery.
    To my friendship with her I want to dedicate this coming year of my experiences in the Healing Earth Garden.
   The garden consists of nine stations, each one centered around an oak tree.
Nine elements, or facilitators, are used to support the experience of healing from the Earth: cleansing smoke, water, sound, earth breathing, magnetic power, texture, natural patterns, play, and infinity.
In the middle of the garden there is a small pyramid of rocks. The seeker presents her or his intentions and prayers to the Great Spirit.

The journey starts at the station that is most inspiring to the individual, and follows the healing circle in an Earthwise (counterclockwise) direction.
The Healing Earth Garden allows one to spend time in deep meditation with nature. By grounding through one’s heart, mind, intuition, senses and knowledge, participants draw nourishment directly from the Mother of us all-- the Earth itself.
   On January 1st 2016, I practiced “doing absolutely nothing” in the Healing Earth Garden. This is a practice that, ironically, I had on my “To Do” list for almost four years.
The connection with nature came easily. Birds devoted themselves to acrobatic dances through the reddish sunset air, the oak tree branches became solidified smoke, and the soil covered in dry grass and oak leaves appeared as an immense sensitive skin.
   The teaching that runs through my blood is this: reconnect gently and slowly with Mother Earth, and accept her precious gifts over my own thoughts and reactions.
Throughout the year I will be working with the Healing Earth Garden on my own journey, and sharing the experience and lessons as I find them. Perhaps you can join me and we can help heal each other with the strength and love of our Mother.