12 Lessons on Life I Learned from My Garden: Spiritual Guidance from the Vegetable Patch

by Vivian Elisabeth Glyck

Using gardening as a metaphor for the tough decisions and unpredictable circumstances of our lives, Vivian Elisabeth Glyck shows how she learned that responding to life's challenges can be much like reacting to the problems and needs that crop up in a garden.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick spiritual read! Great insight to life through our natural world. Well-written, fun to read especially if you can relate to gardening.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book! It's one that stays with you and is always an enjoyable re-read. It's amazing how the analogies make perfect sense. (Did I mention that I love this book?)

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book makes a great gift for a gardener. Inspired by metaphors from the garden ...

[Barbara Brunson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little self-help book is one my favorites. I have always thought that the law of the harvest has a lot of lessons for life and Vivian Glyck manages to capture them in the sweet book!

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty much what you would expect. Quotes and life lessons from the garden from the perspective of someone that "put[s] forth the intention and then wait[s] for things to unfold. It's nothing short of miraculous how I get what I want by patiently waiting for things to come to me." and the power of meditating.

Not my experience, but I am not much for gardener either.

[Frackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a nice spiritual read. I haven't read any books that talk of spiritual healing but this felt like a kind dip in a small pond of unknown depth. It is repetitive sometimes but the book is short enough were that doesn't get too annoying. The life of the author intrigues me.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Aunt Kay handed me this book after she toured me around her phenomenal garden. I love the wisdom in this little book. I will cherish it and the time in my aunt’s garden forever.

[Terry Ladonne · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a gardener and a person who is always looking for inspiration, I read this book. It really didn't inspire me.

[Laurla2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

simple and delightful.

here are the lessons: preparation is everything; balance is key; patience is a virtue; cultivate diversity; sometimes less is more; transplants take time; don't stay in one place too long; eliminate parasites; support the things you love; respect the life cycle reflected in the harvest; appreciate the growth of winter; learn to appreciate the silence. each lesson is related both to the garden and to life.

being in the moment and giving up control of the future takes discipline.
most of the real dangers lie within us. its the internal demons, addictions, and obsessions that flourish inside so many of us, robbing us of our essential nature and the wealth that we have worked so hard to gather within.
like so many of us, he faced a huge internal void, brought on by self-doubt and lack of self-esteem, which he tried desperately to fill. by encapsulating himself in the love that was so readily available to him, he could have constructed a fortress around himself, allowing him to salvage his physical and mental health. it seemed so ironic that he invested so much in his own education and growth, but he allowed these predators to deplete him of his rich assets.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read - even though my passion is the flowers, not the vegetables - i could relate. And was able to relate to it - and to how it fit my life - both my life "before" and my life now. Damn shame the govt doesn't make everyone read THIS book LOL.
And i realized - i DO meditate - but only while "playing in dirt"! so now the test is to figure out to get to that place during the fall and winter.
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Its awesome so far. Amazing how the analogies are fitting me and some things i have been thinking about.
And I am taking my time with it - to absorb it and ponder. I am actually even making notes in my journal.
So of course I'll add quotes at some point....

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gardens are such a great anaolgy for our lives.