Zenith as Mindfulness Focus

It’s that time of year when the garden is a tad out of control. Pumpkin vines have invaded the apple tree and pumpkins are hanging among the apples. Amaranth is leaning against the fence because it can no longer support the huge plumes. Some of the sunflowers have fallen over in the wind, but many are host to yellow chickadees hanging upside down and harvesting seeds.

And sadly, with all the chaos, the garden is past its zenith. Just a few weeks ago it was awash in color and vibrancy, but now everywhere I look the annuals are fading and finishing up their work. Tomatoes and eggplants are slowing down, responding to cool night time temperatures and less daylight. And the sea of purple Cosmos is morphing into a field of starburst seed-heads.

There is always a week or two in summer where against all logic, it feels that the garden will go on as it is forever (or at least for many months). And then suddenly after a few short weeks it reaches its zenith and we’ve crossed to the other side.

Melancholy can set in. It’s not that I don’t have some fall plants started like broccoli, spinach, and peas.  And it’s not like I won’t keep harvesting even after a light frost. But the overall energy of the garden has shifted to decline.

Embracing the moments as they come and go in the garden is a kind of green surfing. We can catch the wave of the summer garden and ride it as it comes to fruition. When its at zenith it might feel we can stay on top of the wave forever. But the wave will eventually disintegrate. We can find a way to accept the wave and the disintegration.

This week’s focus word is zenith, because first, it is a fun word to say.  Secondly, zenith  expresses the high point of the summer garden that has just passed.  In contemplating the word zenith, we can cultivate awareness of peak moments but also pay attention to the “befores” and “afters” of those moments, working on embracing the whole flow.  The lows with the highs and the valleys with the peaks. And obviously, that’s not just about the garden.

For more information on Mindfulness Focus Words click here.