Growing Myself: A Spiritual Journey Through Gardening [Paperback]

Judith Handelsman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

In an articulate, holistic approach to gardening that stresses the role of the gardener as a nurturing figure rather than a determined manipulator, Handelsman travels from Brazil to the famed Findhorn Garden of Scotland to explore the ancient teachings and current wisdom about connections between plants and people.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

whole Gardening Gardening as work and play and as an activity that involves the soul are topics considered in Zen Gardening: a Down-to-Earth Philosophy by Veronica Ray. In essays that are refreshingly free of prescription or how-to advice, Ray captures the essence of gardening as a restorative, instructive process that offers more valuable rewards than just the anticipated harvest. Addressing an outdoor statue of St. Francis of Asissi as "Frank" and calling for gardeners to work with?rather than in?their plots of earth, Ray reminds us of the joys as well as the demands of gardening. (Berkley, $10 192p ISBN 0-425-15299-5; June) In Growing Myself: A Spiritual Journey through Gardening, Judith Handelsman draws on her personal experience with growing things to offer advice to others. Notable here is her conviction that the gardener can?and should?communicate with plants to establish a nurturing bond that will facilitate their mutual growth. The book includes accounts of the author's travels and environmental tips, e.g., philodendrons can reduce the amount of formaldehyde in the air. (Dutton, $21.95 192p ISBN 0-525-94057-X; June)
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Handelsman writes about the deep levels of love and connection with plants--the healing power of "inner gardening." In her travels from Brazil to Scotland, Handelsman has explored this holistic approach to gardening, which stresses the role of the gardener as a nurturing figure. If you apply an inner perspective to gardening, she believes that you can add a new dimension to garden tasks, such as watering, pruning, transplanting, and feeding. She notes that plants as living beings need the same things we do: food, air, water, and love. Handelsman surely takes the concept of talking to your plants to the extreme and assures gardeners that the dividends are ample for both them and their flowers. George Cohen --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Plume (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452275172
• ISBN-13: 978-0452275171
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #737,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Personal stories mixed with entertaining garden insights., January 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Growing Myself: A Spiritual Journey Through Gardening (Paperback)

Inner gardening is an interesting and simple concept, but sometimes totally over stated in Growing Myself. The author's strength is in her confessional stories about her life. In what I first thought would be a soft New Agey read about talking to plants and essays about the author coming of age as a spiritual Earth Mother, turned out to be hard hitting with stories about divorce and a difficult abortion. I admire the author's courage in the telling of her personal stories mixed with entertaining garden insights.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and very insightful., February 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Growing Myself: A Spiritual Journey Through Gardening (Paperback)

I loved this book. She risks it all to explain how she has come through many personal trials and tests in her life. This is not an easy topic for any person to relate, but Judith takes it one step further and finds nurturing messages in the care given to her plants and herself. Well written, not hoaky, but honest. Highly recommend it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great reminder of the garden-gardener interaction, June 15, 2004

By 

Gleigh (Asheville, NC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Growing Myself: A Spiritual Journey Through Gardening (Hardcover)

I just ran across a used copy of this book and have heartily enjoyed it. Handelsman's experiences with the remarkable presence and intelligence of plants mirrors my own. Learning to meet plants on their own terms is truly an art and such a rewarding one. Handelsman tells her experieces very simply and honestly. Anyone who has approached plants, trees and gardens as a place to grow both their own spirit and sense of community with the natural world will recognize a kindred spirit in this writer. I particularly enjoyed her focus on interacting and learning from houseplants since that opens the experience up to both urban and rural folks who want to explore interacting with plants in a deeper rather than just decorative manner. I'm thrilled to have found a simple book with simple wisdom that opens another level of love and awareness of life.