In the Meadow
Like all dreamers, I have spent much time laying on the grass. Held by it’s pillowy softness, lulled into a state of relaxation where the hours stand still. Until recently, I recognised it simply as grass. Green blades that spread out across lawns and fields. Full of promise, teeming with life. Acting as a blanket for the earth below. But then I moved to Devon, to take part in a Nature Recovery Traineeship. And it changed the way I looked at grass.
The curiosity was planted on one of the first days of our training. We stood high above the Dart valley, looking across at the fields surrounding us. So much green, and to a Londoner who is green deprived, so much beauty. But the illusion was quickly shattered. The shiny, green grass that carpets much of our agricultural fields here in England, is in fact terrible for biodiversity. Perennial rye grass, a species of grass so competitive that it out-competes most other plants is almost like green concrete. And it doesn't provide a very hospitable habitat for the many creatures that we need in our grassland such as the pollinators and prey species that form a vital part of a healthy ecosystem.
A healthy grassland should contain a diversity of grass species and other flowering plants. Not the mono-culture of green that we see so commonly in our fields. I’d never really considered that there were so many different kinds of grass, but over the past few weeks, I’ve got to know them and developed a new appreciation for their beauty! Now, wandering through the meadows I am on the lookout for grasses, befriending them on my way.
Diversity is important in nature and we should value it more as humans too. I don’t mean in the tokenistic way that is so prevalent in our culture, but rather truly valuing the uniqueness that we all have to offer. And maybe the best way to forge this is to learn for ourselves that we all have something beautiful to offer. Something I’ve been grappling with recently is the need to fit in and be socially accepted, whilst also being true to who I am. Finding value in who I am rather than what I am. The meadow shows me that I can be my authentic self and still be part of a community. I am so grateful to the grasses for leading me here!
This week’s practice was inspired by the meadow and captures the energy of the sun. I hope you enjoy it.
Other ways you can connect to the spirit of the meadow:
Go and lie among the grasses and simply rest there
Have a look at what grasses you can spot - they are easiest to identify at the moment as they are flowering
Collect any that you find beautiful and add to a flower arrangement.