By and For Women: Building Bridges

I raised my children in Danbury, CT. Our city became quite diverse with many immigrant ethnic populations that moved in. At one point we had about fifty dialects spoken and “diversity” became the new buzz word for multi-cultural communities. Today, diversity in our community takes on new meaning. It encompasses acceptance and respect. Diversity means recognizing our differences and moving towards embracing and acknowledging the rich flavors, colors, cultural beliefs and ideologies that in a metaphorical way creates a garden. We all contribute to the whole. In fact the concept “we are one” is growing, into our awareness, our consciousness like a seed that’s been buried, finds the light and blossoms. My desire is to create a bridge from cultural diversity to nature’s diversity in such a way that we celebrate our connection with nature once again, not just in goddess circles or earth based religions – but as a way of life.

One of my passions has been to study and use wild edible plants for food and medicine. Intertwined with this passion is my love of this place we call home, the Earth. Nature, in all its forms has intelligent presences and an intelligent order. There is a rhythm to its seasons, cycles, patterns that is managed to a precise order.

Our agricultural practices were traditionally geared to observation and partnership with those rhythms. Since WWII we have become removed from our connection to the soil, water and air, elements that create the very substances we need to thrive. Yet, since WWII we have technological advances that create our world in nanoseconds. We also have changed our consciousness focus in such a way we can embrace “we are one.” And, understand that when a tsunami or floods hit one part of our world we are all affected.

Whenever I look to nature I see patterns and cycles. Isn’t it time we look at nature differently and perhaps begin to embrace the fact that we are in this life together, not separate?

We can look to Nature and its communities to understand our own diversity and needs as a community. In this framework we can see complex systems, interconnected whose primary purpose is to grow, manage pests and diseases so there isn’t weakness and loss. This diverse system we call nature, effectively reduces fighting or conflict over existing resources. In Edible Forest Gardens, the authors remind us that in the forest there are roles and yes even professions among the species who co-inhabit these forests. For example, a species is a pollinator, another species provides canopy. In order for the forest to survive and thrive, it competes in interconnectedness so that all forms exist, not the few. Several species can perform the same function. If one should suffer then the others can help so the overall need is addressed.

Today, this now, is the time to take some constructive action to turn back the tide of deforestation and the desertification of our planet.

We know our food crops are poisoned, and the manufacture of foods leaves our nutrition lacking yet we eat it anyway.

In the media, we see the stats that say the world is controlled by the few with immense wealth whose wealth seems to be at the expense of the many. This goes against nature and all that is intended here for us to thrive.

For the holistic classes I taught at Western CT State University in Danbury, CT, I looked into other medical models. What I discovered is that Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine both recognized by the World Health Organization as medical systems, have nature and her elements at its core. They observed nature around them and observed our body’s mental, emotional and spiritual nature and how the elements operate within us. We can understand that the heart cells know what to do and the brain cells know what to do. Can we take our awareness a step further to understand our heart is a specialized group of cells that understands its “heartness” in a way and does not become an eye cell? In spite of this specialization our body works as a cohesive whole until our practices disrupt it.

My book, At the Garden’s Gate, is the story of my personal journey in creating a meadow, when going “green” wasn’t an everyday word. As I followed my passion to learn about medicinal and edible plants, a meadow evolved that supports growth—both natural and personal. During this process, I reconnected with my Native American heritage, learning the wisdom of the Medicine Wheel and its teachings. This is a story of partnership with the land, a story of personal discovery and love of nature.

Whether working with the land or working with clients the holistic process is the same. We study biochemistry, anatomy and physiology to understand the body. We study, botany and environmental science to study nature.

The garden for me becomes a metaphor, a centering place. Gardens beckon us through gates of new understanding, growth and offers us a doorway into our deeper self. The garden’s path offers a way to remember and to be with self, in stillness, meandering onto unknown pathways that can twist and turn but are filled with such beauty. Gardens are a beginning, offering a diversity we can co-create with, landscapes that keep us in awe of the natural world. Maybe on some level gardens keep us humble too.

As a Master Gardener, writer, speaker, Holistic Health Consultant, I offer insight and inspiration to transform our old story of misuse of land resources into one of a supportive, nurturing collaboration with nature. I bridge bridges between western medical practices and holistic ones to bring a better sense of health and wellbeing to my clients.

Let’s change our story to one of giving respect to nature and ourselves in all our colors, differences and ideologies. Gratitude changes our vibration and uplifts us. When our vibration changes, the world changes.

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Judith Dreyer, MS, BSN, RN, Writer, Speaker, Holistic Health Consultant and Workshop Presenter, Master Gardener. 

To order her book – At the Garden’s Gate and companion medicine wheel of plants poster, see her schedule of speaking engagements and classes, and check out her blog, go to www.judithdreyer.com