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I go five steps in the garden, and I immediately lose track of time... it is a kind of joy in being alive in being in the world. I always found that in the garden. That is what it means to me.
W. S. Merwin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the joy and mindfulness found in nature, particularly in the act of gardening.

In this quote, W. S. Merwin reflects on the profound experience of losing track of time when engaged in the simple act of walking in a garden. He associates this feeling with a deep joy of being alive and present in the world, suggesting that nature has a unique ability to connect us to our vitality and existence.

Themes

GardenJoyNatureMindfulnessLife

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used to inspire mindfulness practices in a wellness workshop.

More from W. S. Merwin

I can't imagine ever writing anything of any kind on a machine. I never tried to write either poetry or prose on a typewriter. I like to do it on useless paper, scrap paper, because it's of no importance.
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I think there's a kind of desperate hope built into poetry that one really wants, hopelessly, to save the world. One is trying to say everything that can be said for the things that one loves while there's still time.
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The kind of writing that matters most to me is something you don't learn about. It's constantly coming out of what I don't know rather than what I do know.
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I say to my breath once again, little breath come from in front of me, go away behind me, row me quietly now, as far as you can, for I am an abyss that I am trying to cross.
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Through all of youth I was looking for you_x000D_ without knowing what I was looking for_x000D_ part memory part distance remaining _x000D_ mine in the ways that I learn to miss you_x000D_ from what we cannot hold the stars are made.
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What I really believe is the only hopeful relation between our life and the whole of life is one of reverence and respect and of feeling at one with it. The other attitude which is the one our society is based on is devastating and it is killing the earth and it is killing us too.
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Quote by W. S. Merwin | QuoteProject