I have been studying up on personality types over the last few months, specifically, the MBTI (Myers Briggs Temperament Instrument) which is a system of 16 different ‘types’ stemming from the work of Carl Jung. Previous to that, over 10 years ago, I learned a simpler system based on the four ancient types known as Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholy and Phlegmatic. I’m not going to go into an explanation of all the various temperaments, but I will say that they all share the more commonly known duality between Extrovert and Introvert.
Most people know which of these types they are more comfortable being most of the time. Introverts are focused on internal processing. They think before speaking. They get energized internally or by being alone. Whereas Extroverts are energized by being around groups of people and project themselves towards people and things.
After people find out what type they are, some really get attached to their persona and really don’t understand that the letter codes telling them their type are not their core identity. However, they find relief in a way that explains the way they react and respond to the world and so place a great importance in labeling themselves as a particular four letter type. It’s more accurate to say it’s just a way of processing information. To label yourself as a ESFP or INTJ puts you in a box if you don’t fully understand how to use the types (of which there are eight) to allow for self growth and to adapt to the opposite personalities that we encounter in our lives.
I bring up this concept of personality to explore how we as gardeners interact with nature and gardens. I for one am an Introvert and would consider myself a solo gardener. I would speculate that gardening is typically an activity that is done independently of others as it requires internal thinking as we interact with the garden, whether we are planting a plant, pruning, or simply observing how things are doing.
Of course there are cases where a couple gardens together or the kids are involved. But my point is that personal gardening is really not considered a group activity on a day to day basis.
In the garden, a person can grow and develop by allowing the shadow traits of their personality to be cultivated. An excessively analytical, logical, rational thinking type individual can suddenly well up in tears while experiencing something in the garden. It may be as simple as a buried memory surfacing because the flower that is about to open reminds them of their long past mother or father. The garden is a safe place to allow for healing to take place. It is also a good place to get in touch with parts of your personality that you don’t normally share with the world.
Another personality type makes schedules, plans out the timing of the seeds, calculates the watering and conducts their ‘hobby’ like a business. Their opposite would have a loose schedule, not worry about keeping detailed records and basically assumes a posture of “I will deal with things as they come up”. They like adventure and things changing around them. They plant almost every kind of seed they can fit into their garden and relish in the delight of not knowing what will germinate and thrive.
There is no right or wrong here, just a different way of looking at things. Changing your thoughts is one thing. Changing your behavior is another and that is where the direct experience comes in. Shifting from always thinking to allow feeling is freeing. You are not changing into something you are not. It is a reminder that you are not what you think you are. You are not a label based on taking a personality test. This awareness allows you to get out of your box.
The saying, “Stop and smell the roses” is directed towards a certain personality type. Can you identify that person? Some people have the ability to stop, but they don’t have any roses to smell. That’s where the creation of and planting a garden comes in. If you are resistant to the thought of creating a garden but have wanted one for a long time, you are the one limiting yourself. Maybe you are impatient, or fearful of not knowing how to do everything, or of making a mistake or all kinds of other objections.
The weaknesses within your inherent personality preferences are responsible for your own limiting behavior. Why let something like creating a garden allow those limiting thoughts to manifest? It’s not like making a lifelong commitment. The most common objection is “I don’t have a green thumb”. I would like to tell these people it’s not whether you are successful growing whatever you plant; it’s the process of interacting with yourself as a growth experience.
John Stuart Leslie holds a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture and has been a landscape designer and contractor since 1982. He created http://www.mysacredgarden.com to show how gardens and nature can develop our connection to spirit through meaning, symbol and wisdom.
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