Being Close to My Plants

Being with the plants with my bare hands is a very uplifting activity. It allows me to be within that space where silence exists as I work with the earth. Yet, it is not a state of an absence of sound. I hear my heart beat, and I hear the sound of my breath that keeps me company. They remind me of the gift of life that I enjoy each moment that I am in this scenario of being on Planet Earth.

In a world of consistent and continuous noise and traffic, with airplanes zooming, and the constant bombardment of machines, do we even wonder why most of us are stressed with anxiety levels so high that we don’t even even realize why we are in such a state? In my open veranda that is overlooking the ocean and in the far horizon a gorgeous view of the the central coast mountains of California, I can hear the leaves in the trees rustled with the ocean breeze. Oh, how so beautiful and natural! It is, indeed, a very relaxing moment.

The above scenario is what is relaxing to most people, especially when they are in places that are closer to earth where it is very natural to hear the sounds of nature, with the humming of the birds, and water flowing over stones in a softly flowing stream – a scene that is the exception to the rule in the city life. And sometimes in a bookstore inside the metropolis, the mere thought of water sounds and rustling leaves produces a calming effect on me and induces a consciousness of tranquility. My nerves calm down. I believe the reason for that is that natural sounds are in tune with the Earth. This is contrast to the countless sounds of excitement and agitation of human activity.

Sounds of relaxation grant us to have, even for just a few moments, the most important part of silence, the silence within. Silence inside us that let us be us and just hear our own thoughts and receive insights that can leave us feeling more alive and in step with the universe. When you find yourself feeling anxious without an obvious reason, try to listen to the sounds around you. Find a way to enjoy the sounds that make you feel peaceful. Dig in your own garden, sit on your porch and listen to the wind blow through the trees, take a walk in the park, or listen to a waterfall CD on your player. Enjoy the sound of silence…you will find yourself again.