Weeding Zen

The Chore of Weeding: Zen? Really? 

Weeding is such a drag. Let's face it: weeding is boring, deadly dull. How in the world can weeding, arguably gardening's most tedious chore, be associated with Zen?

It depends, as with everything else, on your attitude. Weeding can be approached with dread, or it can be approached as an opportunity to relax and reduce stress. 

The next time you have to weed the garden, you might try the following meditation in motion: 

1. Sit comfortably; the lotus position is optional. You might want to use a durable cushion for added comfort.

2. Take three deep breaths. 

3. Think of all the stresses and bad habits you wish to remove from your life. 

4. Touch a weed and think of one of these stresses or bad habits. As you yank out the weed, visualize that stress or bad habit being yanked from your existence, forever. 

5. Keep doing this until you have run out of unpleasant, unfortunate tendencies to banish from your life. If weeds remain, you might think of various social ills that plague the world (war, various diseases, drought) and banish these ills. This strategy should yield you a weed-free garden and plenty of good karma.

By Jakub Kolář (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Of course, another way to add zen to the chore of weeding is to use a guided meditation, with the help of an Ipod or similar device and headphones. One meditation I recommend , the Holy Dinger Uber Deep Meditation, is created by Leonie Dawson, founder of the Shining Biz and Life Academy (disclaimer: I am an affiliate for the Shining Biz and Life Academy: I use, recommend, and heartily endorse its programs).

May weeding chores be an opportunity for Zen-like peace for you. Happy gardening!