Seeking Enlightenment Through Organic Gardening

Tag : Organic Chemicals
Wendy Johnson, 60, spent 25 years working here, seekingenlightenment through hard work and meditation.

"Everybody has some sense of the garden or farming as beingmeditative," she says. "Sometimes we ask ourselves, is this a safehaven from the world? Or, is it a field of action? And I thinkit's, of course, both."

Johnson has written a book on her experiences called Gardening at the Dragon's Gate .

"We're not talking about gardening really slowly and enjoying eachbreath and then planting a seedling and then leaning back andlooking at the sky," she says. "Some people may love to do that intheir garden. Working rhythmically and full-on, but having a senseand relaxation that comes at the end of the day from doing work youlove and doing it well."

At the Green Gulch Center, she says farmers here coax leeks, kaleand cabbage from the ground, nurturing the soil and surroundingenvironment. She also takes time for some self nurturing, withquiet reflection and meditation.

Sara Tashker, 29, manages the farm. A former political activist,she says she now finds fulfillment through responsible farming.

"So, to take responsibility of my footprint on the Earth and whereI'm eating, and where my garbage goes, seemed to be more meaningfulfor me than trying something on a grander scale," she says.

Wendy Johnson says that growing organic crops is a way to growspiritually and cultivate your own character.

"I never say I manage the garden. The garden really manages me,"she says. "That's for sure."


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