The Garden of My Beliefs is a visualization exercise that combines the power of your thoughts and your imagination to free yourself from something that troubles you. Whether it is an emotion, a problem that needs a solution, or a repetitive thought that steals your time, here is a technique for your tool box.
Arrange yourself in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and take a few calming breaths. Think of your personal belief system as a garden in your mind, and allow the idea of thoughts to be represented by plants. In your garden there are plants that you have intentionally chosen to cultivate and perhaps even started from seeds or seedlings. There are the "volunteers", those plants that spring unbidden from the earth that you may or may not choose to keep. And there are the 'weeds' that often try to take over if we are not diligent in our attentions. There may also be plants that other people have given you, or ones that you picked up along the roadside. Allow yourself to see your garden with your mind's eye, noticing what draws your attention and is pleasing to you. Perhaps you find delight in rows of basil or flowering jasmine, fruit trees or shady fronds, tomato plants with ripe fruit.
Now think about something that is troubling you, a thought or feeling that you would prefer to not have in your mental garden. Visualize it as a specific plant; it could be as large as a tree or as small as a dandelion. See it clearly, noting specific details, and make the decision to remove it from your garden; it doesn't belong there. Again using your mind's eye, visualize yourself taking the plant out using whatever implements you need. If you need a tool you don't have handy, go get it, and if you need help, go get someone to help you. Give your imagination free rein and know that you have access to everything you need. Dispose of the unwanted plant however you see fit, and go back to appreciating your garden for a few moment before you open your eyes and resume your day.
Gardens are beautiful. They nurture and nourish both our senses and our bodies. And they depend on attention and nourishment in order to provide us with what we want from them. So tend your garden. Pull out invasive thoughts that threaten your well being while you feed and water the ones you want to keep. Weed out doubts and fears; plant inspiration and appreciation to create and shape the garden that you desire.
Arrange yourself in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and take a few calming breaths. Think of your personal belief system as a garden in your mind, and allow the idea of thoughts to be represented by plants. In your garden there are plants that you have intentionally chosen to cultivate and perhaps even started from seeds or seedlings. There are the "volunteers", those plants that spring unbidden from the earth that you may or may not choose to keep. And there are the 'weeds' that often try to take over if we are not diligent in our attentions. There may also be plants that other people have given you, or ones that you picked up along the roadside. Allow yourself to see your garden with your mind's eye, noticing what draws your attention and is pleasing to you. Perhaps you find delight in rows of basil or flowering jasmine, fruit trees or shady fronds, tomato plants with ripe fruit.
Now think about something that is troubling you, a thought or feeling that you would prefer to not have in your mental garden. Visualize it as a specific plant; it could be as large as a tree or as small as a dandelion. See it clearly, noting specific details, and make the decision to remove it from your garden; it doesn't belong there. Again using your mind's eye, visualize yourself taking the plant out using whatever implements you need. If you need a tool you don't have handy, go get it, and if you need help, go get someone to help you. Give your imagination free rein and know that you have access to everything you need. Dispose of the unwanted plant however you see fit, and go back to appreciating your garden for a few moment before you open your eyes and resume your day.
Gardens are beautiful. They nurture and nourish both our senses and our bodies. And they depend on attention and nourishment in order to provide us with what we want from them. So tend your garden. Pull out invasive thoughts that threaten your well being while you feed and water the ones you want to keep. Weed out doubts and fears; plant inspiration and appreciation to create and shape the garden that you desire.
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