Scripture ~ He (Jesus) said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches. Luke 13:18-19
Spiritual Focus ~ “A seed is small but rich with possibility, like love, which is as humble as it is powerful.” Pir Zia Inayat-Khan, PhD, Author of God and Nature, scholar, and teacher of Sufism
Breath Prayer ~Inhale, seed, Exhale, grow
Devotion ~Planting a seed is a sacred metaphor for life. A common theme in poetry, music, art, and many religious, cultural, and spiritual traditions, a tiny seed is transformed into something majestic, like the tree in our scripture. In this parable Jesus uses the image of the tiny mustard seed growing into a large, protective tree to describe life in relationship with God. The seed that is planted is love, and God’s love is prolific and widespread.
A master gardener taught a class at a local garden center. He explained the usual steps of planning a garden, preparing the soil, and then waiting for the soil to be warm enough to receive the seeds. When the gardener paused, an anxious young person asked, “What do you do next?” The gardener laughed and replied, “Then comes the hard part: waiting to see if the seeds you planted actually grow.” He continued by describing all the different obstacles that might prevent the seeds from growing. He admitted that the hardest part of gardening is to be patient and when necessary, re-seed. He concluded by reassuring the novice gardeners that although gardening can be challenging, his passion is renewed every time he sees a patch of soil transformed from tiny sprouts into a beautiful garden that holds so much of life within it.
Planting a seed implies possibility, hope, and faith that the seed will grow. The best seed to plant is that God loves you, no matter what. It is a small seed with powerful possibility that can be planted anywhere again and again. In sacred soul gardening we receive the seed of God’s love every time we prepare ourselves for yoga practice, cultivate our breath, and patiently calm our minds with an expectation to be grounded in God’s loving presence. When God’s loving presence grows within us, it develops like the mustard seed and cannot be contained. Prolific and widespread, it becomes a garden of love for all to enjoy.
