Prior to gardening, I had always felt a deep connection with the natural elements, feeling a sense of awe and love that I personally could never experience with any text or church of an organized religion.  The canopy of trees during a nature hike was the roof my church, and the uncrowded shore where all of the elements rendezvous is my ultimate place of peace. In these places, I could breathe in and feel my sense swell with the intake of a mysterious and numinous power that I could only wonder about and react with awe. In these moments, though, I was only an observer of the wonder happening and the feeling of complete connection and Oneness with my surroundings that I yearned for was missing. I felt complete after I had found the benefits of gardening.
       
At first, gardening was just an activity for me to do outside, away from the stuffy library and my homework. Every week, I spent a few hours digging, hoeing, weeding, and watering, enjoying the warmth of the sun, feeling invigorated by the physical exertion, and refreshed by the crisp air. Eventually, my time at the farm became a time for reflection and thinking about the deeper relationship between myself and the land I was working. I came to the conclusion that by gardening, I was more clearly exploring a natural and sacred process that I was already a participant of. The life cycle and ecosystem as a whole became my Bible, my tao, my creative myth- the only guidance I needed to help me understand my state of existence and how I should live my life.
       
After several weeks of working the land, I discovered that reflecting upon each act, thinking about the implications for the land, and what would happen if I were to not perform those tasks, I found that gardening was a very meaningful spiritual duty. Being a gardener, I feel connected with all of nature and feel that I have a powerful insight into the invisible force and energy that gives life. I work with it, consciously and intentionally every week. Whereas before, I was ignorantly a part of this life cycle, I am now a being fully aware of my place in this cycle and have the privilege of being a co-creative force when tending to plants alongside the natural elements.
           
Beyond feeling One with the Earth, I regard many of the truths about gardening and the life cycle as sacred rituals that apply to my life in general. I have chosen four important practices in gardening that I regard as rituals with meaningful symbolism and life lessons that I have applied to my life. I believe that the garden has a lot to teach me, and by continuing to practice, my spirit will find the nourishment it needs to grow to completion.