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Tuesday, 7 December 2004
My visit to Wisley Gardens
Topic: Spiritual Uplift
Today I went with a friend from synagogue to Wisley Gardens (which is near Woking in Surrey, England). Earlier on in the day, I happened to be reading about the Talmidi respect for nature, and I read these words:
"...our awe when regarding the wondrousness and beauty of all life only increases our amazement and reverence for YHVH our God. By gasping in awe and wonderment at the world of nature around us, its beauty, complexity, intricacy and interconnectedness, we get a glimpse of their Maker. Abraham worshipped God as the creator of heaven and earth, and it is as the Great Creator that YHWH was first known and identified.
"By ignoring the fact that YHWH is in fact the Creator, we have lost our concern and care for Creation. For some people, this has resulted in a disdain for the living world. Some people see wild plants and animals as a nuisance and therefore to be gotten rid of. We have forgotten that we are stewards of the Earth, for we were made in the image of God - that is, we were made to carry out a function that God fulfills, and look after and care for the earth and all life around us.
"We should bless God for the stars, the sun and the moon, the planets and everything in the Universe. On this day, we also remember life on earth - the animals, the plants, the living planet itself."
One part of the gardens had the most gigantic trees in it, and in total contrast, another part had an alpine house, which had tiny plants that could survive on little nutrients among the crevices of rocks, battered by wind. Even these tiny, intricate plants moved me to stand in awe of YHVH, and I said a little blessing:
"Blessed are You, O YHVH our God, who can create even the smallest things of the most breath-taking beauty!"
Posted by shmulikparzal at 00:01 GMT
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