Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.

O Seekers of Truth, hear the wisdom of Alfred Austin, whose words speak to the deep connection between the gardener and the soul. "Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are." These words ring with the eternal truth that our surroundings—particularly the gardens we cultivate—reveal much about our character, our values, and the essence of who we are. The garden is not merely a plot of land where plants grow, but a reflection of the person who tends to it. Just as the gardener shapes the land, so too does the garden shape the gardener’s soul. In this, Austin speaks not only to the physical world, but to the spiritual, for the garden is a mirror of the inner life.

In the ancient world, the garden was a place of deep significance. The Greek philosopher Epicurus, whose name has come to symbolize the pursuit of simple pleasures and contentment, believed that the garden was the ideal place to find peace and harmony. It was in the garden, among the trees and flowers, that he and his followers sought not only nourishment for the body but for the mind and spirit. The garden, in their eyes, was an environment that could nurture the soul, just as it nurtured the seeds planted in the soil. The care one took in creating and tending the garden was seen as a reflection of the care one took in cultivating the inner life. In this sense, Austin’s words are a reminder that our gardens—our personal spaces of creation and care—reflect the quality of our inner world.

Consider also the example of Kublai Khan, the great Mongol emperor who, despite his vast empire and conquests, was known to deeply appreciate the tranquil beauty of gardens. It is said that during his reign, Khan cultivated a grand garden, one that was not a place for warfare or conquest, but for contemplation and peace. He understood that the act of tending to the earth—planting, nurturing, and observing—was a way of nurturing the self. His garden became a sanctuary, a place where the tumult of the world could be left behind, and where his soul could be at rest. Just as Kublai Khan’s garden reflected his need for balance, so too does each person’s garden reveal their inner desires, values, and priorities.

But let us not forget the ancient Egyptians, whose gardens were not merely decorative but deeply connected to their spirituality. The gardens of Egypt were sacred spaces, often aligned with temples, and designed to honor the gods. The Egyptians knew that the care of the earth—whether through the planting of flowers or the cultivation of trees—was a form of worship, a direct reflection of the relationship between humanity and the divine. The garden, to them, was a sacred mirror, reflecting not just their connection to nature but their connection to the cosmos. Austin’s words echo this ancient wisdom: the garden is not merely a physical space, but a spiritual one, and it reveals to those who seek the inner workings of their own hearts.

Now, O Seeker, the lesson here is clear: your garden—whether it is a literal garden of plants, or a metaphorical garden of thoughts, habits, and actions—reveals what you are at your deepest core. The care you invest in your garden shows the care you give to yourself, to your relationships, and to your world. Is your garden well-tended or neglected? Is it a place of growth and abundance, or is it overrun with weeds? Just as the gardener knows that each seed planted requires attention, water, and patience, so too must you recognize that the aspects of your life that you care for—your body, your mind, your soul—will flourish only if you give them the attention they deserve.

In practical terms, O Seeker, look at the gardens of your life. What are you nurturing? What are you allowing to grow unchecked? Are you cultivating kindness, patience, and wisdom, or are you allowing bitterness, fear, and distraction to take root? The garden does not lie—it reveals all. If you wish to understand yourself better, look at the spaces you tend to. Are you investing your time and energy in the things that truly matter, or are you neglecting the areas of your life that require care and attention?

So, remember this, O Seeker: show me your garden, and I will tell you what you are. Your garden, whether of soil or spirit, is a reflection of your inner self. It is a mirror that reveals your deepest values, desires, and potential. Tend to your garden with awareness and care, and in doing so, you will cultivate not just beauty and abundance, but also clarity, peace, and purpose. Like the great gardeners and philosophers of old, take time to observe the fruits of your labor and see what they reveal. And in the act of tending to your garden, find the true essence of who you are and who you are becoming.