Time

Mins.

Area of Learning

Visual Aids

10.00

20

1. Welcome and Introductions

Who I am        

Introductions: your name, where you came from today, what you’d like to get out of today, your favourite outdoor place
Aims: 1) To explore the spiritual dimensions of gardening;
2) to find out what makes a garden a healing garden;
3) to develop ideas for participants’ own gardens;
4) to have fun!
Housekeeping: Breaks, mobile phones, toilets, fire exits, teaching styles, outline of the day

Hand out course books

10.20

10

2. Overview  

Review quotes in coursebook:
2.1 What is a Garden?
2.2 Spiritual Gardening in Practice

Spiritual gardening essentially involves a change of mind set, going deeper…

Write on Flip: INTENTION, CONNECTION, ENERGY, LOVE

10.30

45

(20)

(25)

The Origins of the Garden
All cultures try to express their understanding of Heaven, on Earth, through the gardens they created…
Chinese Gardens (Taoist, Feng Shui),
Japanese Gardens (Zen), - Dan Pearson video clip – 7m
Islamic Gardens (Paradise), 
Monastic Gardens (Enclosed, Romantic, Herb)

During slide show, talk about: Importance of Water, Privacy, Shapes and Number – symbolism, ask the group what feelings are evoked…

Course Book
Flip

11.15

15

Break

11.30

90

(15)
(25)

(15)

=55m

(10)

(15)

(10)

Understanding your Garden (Practical)

Aims: “to listen to the song of why it needs you” or “to identify the genius loci of your garden and work with it”
Cover these:
1. Relationships to the garden … take group through organogram
2. Balance – the Tao, Yin and Yang, energy lead on to…
“ Seed to Seed” outlook - the cycle of life, seasons,  Compass Directions  - symbolism, Moon (lunar gardening – discuss coursebook sheet)
3. Yin / Yang checklist – spend 10 minutes rating your garden’s ‘balance’- identifying the genius loci of your space…the current situation

How do we create a Healing Garden?

Aim: “To purposefully arrange elements that will speak directly to the soul”
a. Plant symbolism
b. Colour symbolism
c. Shape symbolism – link to energy and FS.
d. Senses – involving all of them, holistically (=becoming whole)

Divide into five groups and brainstorm one sense each: “How would you involve this sense in the garden?”

Whole group feedback

1.00

45

Lunch

1.45

15

Tour of Sensory Garden

2.00

15

Healing Garden Elements: an A to Z

Taking a look at key elements in a typical garden from a spiritual perspective…  (More ingredients for the practical exercise next)

2.15

60

Developing ideas for your Healing Garden

Working in pairs, develop ideas for your own healing garden.

3.00

Take a Break during your work

3.15

60

Sharing your ideas

Whole group, participants are invited to share their ideas and plans.

4.15

15

Summary and Feedback

Mother Nature was the original healthcare worker – involving the outdoor environment in helping people get better
Labyrinths – creating a spiritual dimension to public spaces
Recommended reading

4.30

Close