The Garden of Eden

It’s at the very beginning of The Bible- a story that most are well-acquainted with. The traditional version goes something like this:

God creates the earth in 7 days. Then he creates Man (Adam), and from his side creates Woman (Eve). Adam and Eve are given the exquisitely beautiful Garden of Eden in which to live and exercise their dominion over the other creatures of the land. They may live in paradise as long as they follow one rule- they are forbidden to eat from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. One day, tempted by the devil in the form of a snake, Eve is convinced to take a bite of the fruit, and is granted knowledge of things that were not meant for her to know. In punishment for this act of infidelity, Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden for all of eternity.

I have always been fascinated by the Garden of Eden. How I’ve longed for a place of such beauty, without any suffering! What bliss that must be!

But now I understand that the Garden was not meant to be a forever home, at least not in a physical sense. When every day is perfect and beautiful, one loses their sensitivity to perceiving this beauty. When attaining knowledge is not only frowned upon, but is the ultimate punishable act, how can one achieve any true wisdom?

We are told that Adam and Eve were given the Gift of Free Will, but then they are punished for utilizing that gift. Eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge was inherently a nonviolent act, one that should not have caused harm to anyone. Why, then, was their punishment so strict as to tear them from their very home and bar them from returning? What a confusing narrative this weaves.

Eden Within

The answer, I have found, is that we must seek Eden Within ourselves. Any search for a paradise outside of us is futile, as the only thing we truly have agency to change in this world is ourself.

If you have ever experienced a great personal transformation, think back to what your life looked like before and after that moment. What changed?

When we look within ourselves to find the peace, strength, love, sovereignty, acceptance, courage, or other coveted graces that we need, we will find what we seek. We are expressions of the Divine on this earth, and as such carry the power to transform and change not only ourself but also the world around us.

The Gift of Free Will was passed on to each of us from our first parents, and it is sacred indeed. We each have the right to exercise this Free Will as we see fit, but we are not free from the consequences of our actions- whether that be for good or ill. We have the ultimate freedom to choose, but this freedom must also be met with an equal measure of responsibility.

Accepting both this freedom and responsibility gives us the power we need to cultivate our own Garden within. (You don’t even have to call it Eden- name it what you wish!) And when our Garden is in full bloom, the fragrant aromas will overflow from us, inspiring others to plant a Garden.

The Divine is here to support us in our cultivation. But we must plant the seeds and tend to our Garden as we are able. It is not something that is simply given to us, so it can not be so easily taken away. Hand-in-hand with Spirit, walking in full sovereignty and freedom, may our Gardens flourish!