I don’t know why I declined my ride home, being that we were in Anini and I lived in Wailua. Something in the gentle trade winds or the sunny day, where it was perfectly partially cloudy, suppressed any anxiousness that might arise at the thought of a 25-mile trek. After a refreshing dip at Kalihiwai beach and relaxing in the grass of the Porter Pavilion, listening to beautiful music performed by a lovely-voiced, ukulele-playing duo, I was feeling content in my decision—that was, until I spotted what seemed like some exotic oasis hiding behind the wall of Norfolk pines in the corner of a dusty parking lot. Though I didn’t know it then, I have come to realize my seemingly ill- conceived wandering was not of my own volition—I had been called that day.
Figuring out what it was that called me has proven to be a hopelessly elusive endeavor, which has opened lush realms of thought and shaped my imagination. The answer, I’ve come to understand, lies behind a tall stone pedestal that held a large, three-foot diameter custom carving of an I Ching coin with the words “Garden Ponds.” Here are some meditations and musings, which, like that sign, can only point to the wonders of water gardening.
Meditation on Resilience
Water lilies and lotuses rise from the depths of the water, pushing through murky sediment to reach the light. So too are we called to rise from our own depths. We are like these flowers, rooted in the muck of our lives, yet capable of blooming above it. The beauty of these plants reminds us that no matter our challenges, we possess the resilience to grow toward clarity and purpose.
In each of us, there is a bloom waiting to emerge from adversity.
Meditation on Spiritual Awakening
For millennia, the lotus and water lily have been symbols of enlightenment, rebirth, and spiritual awakening. As these plants break the surface of the water to reveal their blossoms, so do we break through our barriers to discover new insights. Like them, we are engaged in a cycle of growth, constantly reaching for higher awareness.
May we embrace our own spiritual unfolding, trusting that our journey—however difficult—will lead to beautiful revelations.
Meditation on the Sacred Rhythm of Nature
Tending a water garden offers an invitation to engage with the cycles of life. The seeds in the mud give rise to flowers that will one day return to the earth. In this ebb and flow, we see nature’s rhythm and are reminded that we too are part of this greater pattern. The water garden becomes a mirror, reflecting the transient beauty of life and the mystery that lies beneath.
Let us immerse ourselves in this rhythm, finding peace in the knowledge that life’s cycles are both eternal and ever-changing.
Meditation on Connection and Community
Water gardens, whether shared or personal, cultivate more than plants; they nurture connection— both with nature and with others. Ancient cultures gathered around ponds not only for their beauty but for collective reflection. Today, the presence of water lilies and lotus blooms continues to draw us together, symbolizing the interconnectedness of human life and nature.
May we foster moments of community and unity in our own lives, drawn together by the shared experience of beauty and growth.
Meditation on the Eternal Flow
There is a sacred flow in working with water. As we plant and tend to a garden, we step into the stream of consciousness that connects us all. The gentle flow of water mirrors the flow of life, and as we tend the garden, we too are tended by it—nurturing our spirit, soothing our mind, and guiding us toward deeper truths.
Let us remember that in tending the garden, we are tapping into an ancient and eternal current, one that holds us all.
Meditation on the Lotus and Life’s Transience
The lotus, rising from the mud to bloom in the light, reminds us that beauty and purity are not defined by our circumstances. Its bloom, untouched by the water that surrounds it, speaks to the possibility of remaining centered in the midst of chaos. As the flower blooms, wilts, and returns to the depths, it echoes the cycles of life and death, reminding us of life’s impermanence.
In the cycles of the water garden, may we find a space for reflection on the transient nature of life, and the beauty that lies within each moment.
Through these meditations, like the sign I stumbled upon that day, water gardening guides us inward, pointing to the sacred spaces that lie both within us and around us. It calls us back to the earth, to the water, and to our shared humanity, reminding us that in tending to the garden, we also tend to our own souls.
What does Garden Ponds mean to you? We are collecting comments from our community on how Garden Ponds has been important in their lives. Do you enjoy stopping by the nursery for a stroll through the gardens? Have you been inspired with a love of water gardening? Taken a class? Made friends with the staff? Found the perfect treasure? Let us know by sending us an email to [email protected]
Garden Ponds is located in Kilauea, next to Anaina Hou Mini Golf. We are open Wednesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays we are open 10-5. Give us a call at 808-828-6400, email us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.gardenpondskauai.com
A waterlily (nymphaea Laura Frase) emerges from the depths
