Summary

The article discusses the author's journey towards personal enlightenment through the practices of Zen gardening, writing, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of balance and understanding in life.

Abstract

The author reflects on their multifaceted identity and the role of Zen gardening and writing in emotional expression and perspective. They describe their beginning steps on the path to enlightenment, akin to "the way" in Zen philosophy, which is explored through gardening and writing on Medium. The author acknowledges their journey's infancy and the quixotic nature of enlightenment, focusing on the importance of the journey itself. The concept of Yin and Yang is applied to meditations on knowledge gaps, and the author emphasizes a holistic approach to health, including diet and exercise, to manage pre-existing conditions like diabetes. The article details the author's proactive approach to health management, involving expert consultations, achievable goals, and a feedback loop of writing and thinking. The author shares their experiences of body and mind adaptation through conscious management, resulting in improved physical health, mental clarity, and a harmonious connection with nature.

Opinions

The author views themselves as a complex individual with a range of characteristics and relationships with animals and nature.
Zen gardening and writing are seen as complementary practices that aid in understanding and expressing emotions, as well as in exploring the philosophical "way" of Zen.
The pursuit of enlightenment is considered a personal journey that is more about the process than reaching a final destination.
The author values the balance of dualities, as seen in the Yin and Yang concept, and applies this to their approach to knowledge and self-improvement.
A holistic approach to health is advocated, particularly in managing chronic conditions like diabetes, with an emphasis on understanding one's own body and taking responsibility for health.
The author has a critical and engineering mindset, preferring quantitative goals and evidence-based strategies for health management.
Writing and thinking are described as mutually reinforcing activities that improve each other.
The author believes in the importance of a strong connection with nature, which is cultivated through daily forest walks and gardening.
The interconnectedness of body and mind is acknowledged, with the author experiencing unexpected benefits from their health regimen, including improved muscle tone and mental well-being.
There is an acceptance of aging and mortality, with a commitment to living fully and harmoniously with nature, or Gaia, until the end of life.

Writing, Zen and Gardening.

Motivation, contemplation, Zen gardening and writing.

There’s always a Gap in understanding. Study in Rock, sand and light by John Rose.

I’m a lot of things, Crazy and sane boring and exciting mostly annoying, Dogs love me, Cats tolerate me, Magpie sings.

Zen Gardening, Meditation intended help understand and tame emotions, Writing helps expressing feelings and putting things into perspective.

Realised after time, Actually making first steps in seeking enlightenment, Zen points “the way”, Gardening helps exploring “the way” through being one with Gaia, Writing on medium.com enables describing thoughts, Sharing and experiencing feelings, Explaining “the way”.

I’m not enlightened journey barely begun, Never really discovered what it is to be enlightened, Perhaps explain when enlightened?

Enlightened is quixotic destination, Journey however ill-defined is all important.

Journey covers essence of life, Mind and body diet and exercise grief and happiness, Been trudging path for good many years, Feel healthier and more robust than years before, Motivation to keep slogging.

Yin and Yang

Notion of duality, Positive and negative forces in balance, Applied this in meditating on gaps in knowledge.

My thought, Seeking enlightenment requires having understanding of progress and issues, Knowledge of what’s been done what works and next step on “the way”.

Gaps.

Seems to me seeking enlightenment requires holistic approach healthy body and mind.

Obtaining knowledge to promote health has many hidden risks especially with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, Requires understanding before creating safe diet strategy based on optimising blood glucose levels.

Diabetes diagnosis ‘90’s, Consulted tick-box clinics and medicos, Given conflicting and illogical advice unacceptable to engineering mind.

Took responsibility manging health, Motivated to learn, Identified knowledge gaps consulted expert opinions gathered confidence.

Engineer’s approach starting point baseline body tests and consultations, Scrupulously compared results and suggestions.

Assigned achievable quantitative goals Reduce blood glucose levels, Reduce blood pressure, Elimination diet remove processed sugars and other contaminants, Reduce weight consistent with exercise goals.

Diet plus weight training with progressive steps under supervision since 1998.

Managing health promotes critical thinking and curiosity, Writing and thinking positive feedback loop, Improved thinking bettered writing, Contemplating flowers, Hands on gardening, Renewed and strengthened bond with nature belief in Gaia, Every day forest walk cleanses mind.

Body and Mind Responds to Guidance.

I rather like this picture of one of my LED gardens. Plants, especially Vanilla Vine thriving. Plants take advantage and adapt to absence of pests, excellent light, frequent fertilising and good watering. Gardening helps in understanding and appreciating self. Picture by John Rose.

Body and mind interacting complex adaptive systems, Conscious management goals and observations, Carefully following diet and exercise, Delivered desired planned outcomes.

Body and mind adapted to action plan, Producing unforeseen welcome benefits, Walking and weight loss improved muscle tone, Body returned state of balance, No more fear of falling and tripping, Enabled stepped up walking endurance.

Walking confidently notice and appreciate surrounding forest sounds and light, Admiring wild flowers, Photographing orchids, Family walks being together.

Every day wake with joy, Understanding and appreciating life, Accept my place, Understand aging, Comprehend endgame no longer fear death, Make most of time left, Living Gaia’s peace and harmony.

Blessed be.

Walking with Gaia in peace and harmony. Today at 3.00pm Summer afternoon intensity. Photo by John Rose. Honestly, I would love to walk with you, see little creek in distance, spot Kookaburra nest behind us, feed magpie perched on shoulder. Bless you.

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