I have a friend who comes alive when her hands are in the dirt. She befriends the worms and marvels over their ability to transform leaves, cardboard, and moldy, slimy leftover foods into rich dark soil. She is in awe and calls it majestic! I also enjoy gardening, although more as a means to an end– and I don’t really find much pleasure in having dirt under my fingernails.
She has a different relationship with the soil, she loves the process of gardening. She uncovers deep truths about the Holy Mystery, creation, faith, and herself as she communes with the dirt. She inspires me to think differently about my own soil.
Years ago I decide to put landscaping fabric over some flower beds because the weeds were relentless. I covered it with mulch, and let it be.
I removed it recently and was stunned to discover the most beautiful black, rich, soil underneath. Overcome with what I was seeing, smelling and feeling, I became aware of Holy invitation. I stop “work mode” in order to absorb it– encouraged myself to just be in the moment.
I take off my shoes and stand on Holy ground. The cool, soft, damp soil is a balm for my bare feet. The earthy smell of the newly exposed loam somehow soothes my spirit and the eases the weariness that I’ve been carrying inside of me. This is an unexpected gift of Soul Meets Body.
I gain new insight about being. The soil’s transformation, when given a break from the grind of doing, is astounding! Worms are doing exactly what worms are created for– transforming old dried up dirt clods and other debris into something more fruitful. Worms– who get a bad rap as lowly, ugly, slimy, little creatures who thrive in dark and dank soil doing a dirty job. I am a little envious of the worms and soil and covet that way of being for my own inner landscape.
I wonder what it might be like for me to slow my mind down, embracing the little things more fully. To just be…be quiet, be still, be cared for. And then to become! Becoming fertile ground for the transformative work of the Holy Mystery. Becoming rich soil: better at slowly and thoughtfully responding, better at nurturing relationships and better at holding heavy aspects of life with a lighter touch. Becoming the richest most fruitful me that is possible. I wonder what possibilities might grow there?
How about you reader, how is the ground of your being- is it covered with landscaping fabric, is it covered with dirt clods, or is it rich dark soil? How might a little less doing and more being become more fruitful for you?
I’m not that lion battling an enemy.
Confronting myself keeps me busy enough.
I am the soil Love seeds.
Roses and Lillies bloom from this mud.
I ached from separation.
I cloaked myself in night,
emerged a shining moon.
Consumed in Love’s fire,
I slip through any opening.
I rise like smoke.
I am a child. Love is my teacher,
waking me from ignorance.
Like Love, I will live on,
radiant, eternal,
when eating and sleeping are done.
Till then like Bubakr, the master musician,
I quiet my mind and listen. I fast.
In silence,
we hear body become spirit.
–Rumi (translation by Haley Liza Gafori)
Reflection inspired by Rumi and Death Cab for Cutie’s song Soul Meets Body