The Enlightened Gardener

Like all Mr. Banks' books, The Enlightened Gardener is rich with wisdom and beauty, and guides the reader to insights that are new, but feel familiar and true. Although I have read it many times, it seems that each time I pick it up again (whether a day, or several months after the last time)it feels like I'm reading a new book. I know that sounds strange, but new insights come alive, and it's as if I'd never read that particular sentence or phrase before. Sometimes I will open it up at random, read for a few minutes, and close it again, filled with feelings of peace and gratitude. I know this book has changed many lives, including those of people who had previously been in severe mental distress. Something comes through that is beyond the words, and it is extremely powerful.

Sydney Banks' The Enlightened Gardener is a simple book. Like all of Mr. Banks novels, this book presents simple characters, environments, and ideas with the focus on dialogue rather than action. Those used to reading self-help literature might find themselves even snickering at the flowery nature of the author's prose and lack of complexity in the relationships of the characters. When the book is finished, however, the world changes, as the reader's ego is unaware that it has been charmed into seeing something new, something valuable. The next book in the series, The Enlightened Gardener Revisited, continues to charm while even more eclectic concepts are offered to relax your thinking and create the "good feeling" Mr. Banks is noted for creating in those who meet him or read his works.

In this little book, a wise and humorous old gardener converses with four psychologists about the nature of life. In spite of the fact that his views go against all their training and beliefs, the therapists find themselves intrigued and captivated. Reading these conversations, I am often stopped in my tracks by a sentence or a phrase that suddenly brings a profound feeling or a deep insight. At that point, there is no need to read further; I put the book aside for a time, feeling full and grateful. I recommend The Enlightened Gardener to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of the connection between spirit and psychology, or anyone just hoping to find a deeper understanding of life. Beneath the simplicity of style lie hidden treasures, appearing when you may least expect them.

In the novel The Enlightened Gardner we are whisked away to the charm and beauty of the English countryside, while being offered a chance to catch glimpses of our true spiritual nature. Through the words of the main character, in his conversations with a small group of professionals, we are given the opportunity to experience peace and contentment beyond what we thought possible. This book will draw you back for more than one reading, and have you continually looking at life from a fresher and more positive perspective.

Wow! The first chapter or two are a bit on the fluffy side, but when you get to the discussions with "the gardner," things get philosophically deep, real deep. What a refreshing take on how the mind and our thoughts interplay to make who we are. I've read Banks's other books, and this is by far the best and most successful attempt that Sydney has made in relating his understanding of how mind, consciousness, and thought affect and direct our lives. I also enjoyed his previous book "The Missing Link," but a couple of my colleagues that read it found it to be like popcorn...it tastes great while your eating it, but it doesn't fill you up. I disagree with their opinion on "The Missing Link" to a certain extent, and also agree with them to a certain extent, but I can honestly say that the enlightened gardner isn't popcorn--this is a full pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream (Double Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavor). Banks has clearly gone to another level of conveying his unique perspective on life through analogies that are simply perfect (Ugh!, I can't stand using that word, but I can't think of a better synonym right now). For those who may have had trouble grasping the paradox of the concurrent simplicity and complexity of his message in the past, this book is hard to argue with--it's that convincing. I'm already passing this around the office, but enough sugar...