
Plants in Home for Some Great Life Lessons
In this blog post you will discover what great life lessons plants teach us and why you must bring home some indoor plants and plants in balcony.
As Indians, we have a deep spiritual connection with nature, especially plants and trees. Our ancient scriptures extol the virtues of various sacred plants, from the mighty banyan tree to the delicate lotus flower. These plants are not just symbols of divinity, but also great teachers that impart valuable life lessons if we tune into their silent wisdom. Here are some profound insights I’ve gleaned from tending to plants in my home:
Cultivate Patience and Persistence
One of the first things plants teach us is patience. Unlike the instant gratification of modern life, plants operate on nature’s timeline. A seed doesn’t sprout into a majestic tree overnight – it requires months of dedicated care and nurturing.
When I planted a jade cutting in a pot, I was eager to see it grow. But even after weeks of watering and fertilising, it remained just a fragile stem with a few leaves. I had to cultivate patience and trust that with consistent care, it would eventually grow into a plant. And grow it did, teaching me that all good things take time and persistence.
Find Balance in Nurturing
As a novice gardener, I was guilty of overwatering my plants in my enthusiasm to see them thrive. My indoor snake plants started wilting and the leaves turned yellow, no matter how much I watered them. That’s when I realised that even with the best intentions, overdoing things can have the opposite effect.
Just like we need to find balance in our own lives between work and rest, strictness and leniency, plants teach us to nurture in moderation. Watering and fertilising are essential, but overdoing these can waterlog the roots or burn them with excess nutrients. I had to learn to provide just the right amount of care, customised to each plant’s unique needs. This lesson translates beautifully to all relationships – with our children, spouse, friends and even ourselves.
Embrace Resilience in Adversity
My potted aloe vera plant taught me a profound lesson in resilience. No matter how harsh the sun blazed down on my balcony during the intense Delhi summers, the aloe vera continued to stand tall and proud. Even when I forgot to water it for days, it held on, its fleshy leaves holding reserves of moisture.
Aloe vera is well-adapted to survive in the toughest of conditions. It taught me that we too have incredible reserves of resilience to get through trying times. Whether it’s a professional setback, a health issue or loss of a loved one, we can dig deep and find the strength to persevere. Just like the aloe vera does not wither under pressure, we too can emerge stronger from adversity.
Let Go of What No Longer Serves
Every year, Jasmine plant in my balcony goes through a period where its leaves and flowers dry up and fall away. Initially, I would feel sad to see the barren, leafless stems. But slowly, tender green shoots would appear, followed by a riot of fragrant white blossoms.
The Jasmine taught me the importance of letting go. Sometimes, we need to shed parts of ourselves that no longer serve us to make space for growth and transformation. This could mean letting go of limiting beliefs, toxic relationships or draining commitments. It can be painful to let go, but it is necessary for our evolution. The Jasmine reminds me that there is beauty even in the barren phases, for they are always followed by renewal and rebirth.
Appreciate the Interconnectedness of Life
As I observed the Tulsi plant in my balcony, I realised how deeply interconnected it is with the web of life. The bees and butterflies flock to its delicate purple flowers, sipping nectar and pollinating it in return. Its leaves are used in religious rituals and Ayurvedic medicine, promoting harmony between the spiritual and physical.
The Tulsi teaches us that nothing exists in isolation. We are all part of a complex ecosystem, dependent on and influencing each other. Our actions have a ripple effect on our family, community and environment. Indigenous wisdom has always recognized this deep interconnectedness, which modern society has forgotten in its quest for individualism. The Tulsi reminds us to appreciate our place in the intricate tapestry of life.
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Bloom Where You Are Planted
Perhaps the most beautiful lesson I learned was from the humble periwinkle in my balcony. These hardy flowers bloom abundantly in the most ordinary of places – along roadsides, in tiny balcony pots, in the cracks of walls.
The periwinkles taught me that we don’t need ideal conditions to thrive. We can bloom with all our radiance wherever life plants us, whether it is a high-powered corporate job or a small rural town. By focusing our energy inwards and doing our dharma to the best of our ability, we can find contentment and beauty in any circumstance. The periwinkles remind me that my sacred purpose can be fulfilled in the here and now.
Tending to my balcony plants has been a deeply meditative and humbling experience. My indoor plants and plants in my balcony have been my greatest gurus, imparting wordless wisdom through their very existence. They have taught me patience, balance, resilience, non-attachment, interconnectedness and blooming in the present moment.
In our fast-paced modern lives, it is more important than ever to slow down and absorb the life-affirming lessons nature has to offer. Bring some easy to care plants into your home and heart, and get ready for a transformative journey of growth and self-discovery. As the Bhagavad Gita says, “Curving back within myself, I create again and again.” May we all learn to live in harmony with nature’s rhythms and recreate ourselves anew.