Yesterday I was at Wendy Johnson’s garden sale (Wendy is one of the founders of the Organic Farm and Garden Project at Green Gulch Zen Center) and I was sharing with her about our Kindness Circles. Earlier this summer I had participated in a “seed blessing ceremony” in Wendy's garden and she had gifted us “peace rocks” gathered by an elder in Mill Valley. I brought several of the peace rocks to our Kindness Circle at SF Waldorf HS in August, and shared the story with the students.

Wendy loved hearing the student's reflections and the activity of writing an intention for the year. Right on the spot, she invited me to share this story at today’s "Harvest Ceremony" in her garden. So I brought the student intentions with me and everyone at the ceremony, gathered under the apple and pear trees in the garden, held the bowl and showered their love and prayers on the intentions. Wendy so beautifully stated, "Our youth are the Knowledge bearers."

As part of the ceremony, we tied rosemary (for Strength) and lavender (for Comfort) together to bring home to our gardens. At Green Gulch you are welcomed with lavender (for comfort) at the entrance of the garden and at the other end you have rosemary (strength at your back)! With a bounty of harvest blessings, our Kindness Team will be returning the intentions to the students at our Gratitude Circle this May:)