Maria Popova, creator of The Marginalian, discusses her 16 years of exploration in wonder and human expression. Topics include the connection between gardening and nature, the intersection of control and creativity, the importance of wonder, the joy of association, and the characteristics of the mire lemon. Expert advice on watering plants and uses of mire lemons are also shared.
Gardens offer a refuge for the creative mind, providing solace and meaning amidst the chaos of the world.
Cultivating wonder through gardening allows for a deeper connection with the natural world, fostering a sense of reverence and gratitude for life's wonders.
Deep dives
The Captivating Power of Gardens
Gardens have long been living cathedrals for the creative spirit, providing a meaningful connection to the natural world. The act of gardening offers a tactile reminder of the interconnectedness between humans and plants, as well as the delicate balance between control and participation in the natural environment. Through gardening, individuals are reminded of the beauty and wonder of life, while also practicing humility and surrender as they witness cycles of growth and decay. The garden serves as a refuge for the creative mind, a place where associations and connections thrive, and where individuals find solace and meaning amidst the chaos of the world. From the personal experiences of writers like Emily Dickinson and Derek Jarman, to the timeless wisdom of Virginia Woolf and Ross Gay, the importance of gardens and plants in our lives becomes evident, offering a gateway to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the natural world.
The Transformative Power of Wonder
The act of cultivating a sense of wonder in our lives is a cross-disciplinary pursuit, transcending the boundaries of art, science, and philosophy. By embracing wonder, we tap into our innate curiosity and open ourselves to the possibilities of deeper connections with the world around us. Gardens, with their intricate beauty and vibrant life, provide a canvas for wonder to flourish. They remind us of the delicate balance between control and surrender, as we witness the constant transformation and growth of plants. Through wonder, we are able to see the world with fresh eyes, finding beauty and meaning in the smallest of details. Whether it is a solitary flower or the vastness of the natural landscape, wonder invites us to engage in a deeper relationship with the world, fostering a sense of reverence and gratitude for the wonders of life.
The Gardening Journey: From Control to Surrender
Gardening is a journey that mirrors the human experience, starting with a desire for control and evolving into surrender and acceptance. As gardeners, we initially seek to control the environment, tending to plants and shaping our gardens according to our visions. However, as we spend time in the garden, we gradually learn to let go of control and embrace the natural processes of growth and decay. Gardens serve as powerful teachers, reminding us of the impermanence and uncertainty of life. They offer opportunities for surrender, as we witness the changing seasons and cultivate an acceptance of the cycles of life. Through this process, we discover that while we may influence our gardens, we are ultimately participants in a larger natural order, finding solace and meaning in the act of witnessing and engaging with the wonders of the natural world.
Gardening as a Lifeline of Sanity
For many individuals, gardening is not just a hobby or a pastime, but a lifeline of sanity. The act of gardening can provide a sense of purpose and meaning, especially in a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable. Gardening offers a tangible connection to the natural world, allowing individuals to find solace and stability amidst the challenges of life. Whether it is tending to a small garden plot or finding refuge in a remote old growth forest, the act of gardening provides a respite from the pressures of daily life. It allows us to tap into our primal connection to nature, reminding us of our place in the world and offering a sense of groundedness and balance. By engaging with the act of gardening, we cultivate not only plants, but also our own well-being and sense of self.
This week, a Best OF episode revisiting our conversation with Maria Popova, the creator and writer behind The Marginalian (formerly known as Brain Pickings).
For the past 16 years, The Marginalia has been a daily—perhaps even hourly—exploration of wonder in our world as seen through the lenses of how we as humans express ourselves in our own creativity, our intellectual curiosity, our sadnesses and griefs, and in our greatest loves and joys.
Gardening and gardeners are recurrently among the human endeavors Maria has explored these many years. This is a light of a conversation in the best spirit of quantum gardening as we tend toward the fullness of Autumn’s splendor. Join us!
Cultivating Place now has a donate button! We thank you so much for listening over the years and we hope you'll support Cultivating Place.
We can't thank you enough for making it possible for this young program to grow even more of these types of conversations.
The show is available as a podcast on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Google Podcast. To read more and for many more photos, please visit www.cultivatingplace.com.
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