Updates
A chronological view of all updates and changes to tender.garden.
September 16, 2025
7 updates
Mantra
A mantra is a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated over and over through humming, speaking, chanting, or singing. There are different ways to work with a mantra: - Many spiritual lineages work with mantras that come from long traditions and carry a lot of meaning in them. See examples below. - You can also craft your own mantra by choosing an affirmation that you would like to focus your mind on. "The word 'mantra' means 'mind-protecting.' A mantra is something that protects the mind from itself, really, by giving it some fodder other than the thinking process." – Ram Dass in Paths to God "As you chant, start to surrender into it, start to offer up all of your other thoughts as sacrifice into it." – Ram Dass in Paths to God - Om Mani Padme Hum - Om Ami Dewa Hrih
Om Ami Dewa Hrih
Om Ami Dewa Hrih is a Tibetan Buddhist mantra used to invoke Buddha Amitabha. - We often listen to this version on YouTube.
Om Dzambhala Zalendhraye Soha
Om Dzambhala Zalendhraye Soha is a Tibetan Buddhist mantra used to invoke Buddha Yellow Dzambhala, who stands for prosperity, generosity, and wealth. Om Dzambhala Zalendhraye Soha has helped us a lot with being more present during walks and experiences in nature. It helps us see and appreciate the abundance and depth that we already have in our lives. - We often listen to this version on YouTube.
Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum is a Tibetan Buddhist mantra that can be translated to "the jewel in the lotus," symbolizing the union of wisdom and compassion. The mantra is associated with Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. - We listen a lot to this version on Spotify
Affirmations
Affirmations are short, positive statements that help reframe thoughts and reinforce desired beliefs and intentions. By repeating them regularly, we can affect how our consciousness perceives ourselves and the world around us. Since affirmations are typically used to shift thoughts and perceptions toward positive outcomes, they can be seen as a light work technique. - Choose an affirmation that reflects a belief, intention, or quality you want to strengthen - Keep it short, present-tense, and positive (e.g., “I am a source of calm, strength, and hope.”) - Repeat it regularly It is even possible to create a mantra out of your affirmation and repeat it over and over to focus your mind on it even more. Affirmations are not inly relevant on the individual level. We believe it's very important for the collective to use them to envision a better future. May our affirmations be as bold as our imagination allows. Examples:
Book: Life Beyond Suffering
The book Life Beyond Suffering: A Guided Practice by Kinzer MB is a 60 day workbook with the following elements for each day: - Guided writing practice - Write down things you're grateful for
Book: Paths to God
Paths to God: Living the Bhagavad Gita by Ram Dass is a spiritual guide that bridges Eastern philosophy and Western thought, offering accessible reflections on the Bhagavad Gita for those seeking spiritual depth, personal growth, and a deeper connection to the divine. On finding your way, trusting what draws you, letting go, and staying open to the next step: "It doesn't really matter which next thing you do, because whatever it is, it will become your next teaching. And it isn't the thing you do that matters, anyway–it's who it is that's doing it, where it's coming from in you." "Don't be afraid to change when your intuitive wisdom tells you to. You start a sadhana, and you go into it with total commitment, and you drink deeply of it. But then you begin to experience its limitations for you." "Work with whatever it is that's drawing you at the moment." "At one moment, You'll sit by the river, and you'll look at a rock, and you'll feel its sacredness, and that will take you out of yourself. At another moment, nature won't do it for you, but something else will." "At one moment, one form feels comfortable, right, useful; at another moment, another form. Just keep flowing in and out of the forms. Use them and then drop them. They aren't 'it.' The point isn't to cling to one practice or another, one teacher or another; the point is to use whatever can in this moment open you to living spirit." "We keep thinking that we have to get behind ourselves and push, when all the time we are actually being propelled full speed ahead." On mantra: "The word 'mantra' means 'mind-protecting.' A mantra is something that protects the mind from itself, really, by giving it some fodder other than the thinking process."
September 3, 2025
8 updates
Cord Cutting Meditation
This meditation from the book Ritual by Lorri Davis and Damien Echols helps cut energetic cords of attachment. It supports us in acting according to what feels right in the present moment and in letting go of unhealthy attachments, desires, and expectations. We recommend practicing this regularly as a form of energetic cleansing, for example as part of a morning routine. - Find a comfortable position and relax with a few deep breaths or a short meditation. - When you feel calm, call upon Archangel Michael, represented by a shining, powerful red light carrying a sword. - Say: "Please cut all my energetic cords that I have formed to other people, places, situations, to future dreams, and to the past. And all energetic cords that other people have formed to me. Free me from all my attachments, free us all. Thank you." 🙏 - Visualize Michael using the sword to cut through all energetic connections around you, on each side of your body. Notice any memories or associations that arise during the cutting, and gently let them go. - Close by saying: "I am free. I am free. I am not dependent on anyone. Everything I need, I find within myself. I go with the flow, I trust in the Universe. Thank you, Michael."
Grounding Meditation
This type of meditation helps with grounding, getting more centered and back into presence.
Vacuum Grounding Meditation
This grounding meditation is called Wet Vac in the book Ritual by Lorri Davis and Damien Echols. It offers a very helpful visualization to vacuum away any kind of energetic and emotional debris that has been accumulating over the day. - Bring yourself into a comfortable position and relax with a few deep breaths. You can either stand, sit, or lie down. - Visualize the floor below you opening up to reveal a hole. This is the end of a hose that extends all the way to the center of the Earth, where a powerful vacuum awaits. Feel the strong energetic pull as the hose connects to your energy field.
Grounding
Grounding means connecting more with the present moment, yourself and the Earth. Especially after drawing in a lot of external energy and emotions, it is important to find an outlet. Otherwise, it could lead to involuntary discharge or an inflated ego.
Attachment
Attachment means trying to control things the way they currently are (or our idea of how they should be). The practice of non-attachment means gradually letting go of desire, expectations, and idealization. "Attachment is essentially a refusal to come to terms with change, it’s an attempt to keep things the same or under your power." – Yung Pueblo in What Love Isn't
Low Dopamine Morning
A Low Dopamine Morning is a morning routine that aims to minimize exposure to external stimuli and distractions. This practice is based on the insight that the amount of dopamine released immediately after waking up influences how much dopamine our brain will seek throughout the day. An important part of a Low Dopamine Morning is to avoid checking your phone or other notifications right after getting up.
Book: Ritual
The book Ritual: An Essential Grimoire by Lorri Davis and Damien Echols offers approachable rituals for ceremonial Magick and energy work. - Vacuum Grounding Meditation - Cord Cutting Meditation
Meditation
Meditation is about taking time to slow down, be present, and listen to what's going on inside and around us.
September 1, 2025
3 updates
Golem Effect
The Golem Effect says that negative projection can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. When we mistrust other people and assume bad intent, this has an effect on how they react towards us. Opposite: Pygmalion Effect When we realize we go into Golem mode, it's good to recognize it without judging ourselves. This is just a reflection of our current internal state. Usually, it helps going into solitude and being present with what comes up. Later, we can then shift our attention using gratitude journaling.
Jealousy
Jealousy can have a profound effect on how we see ourselves and others. It often causes heightened insecurities which can lead to negative projection and the Golem Effect. It can really feel like a demon sometimes, taking over control and shifting the state of consciousness. While jealousy can be a very challenging emotion, we shouldn't blame ourselves for experiencing it. We can take responsibility for how we deal with it, know that it's a learning process, and increase †rust and connection along the way. When alone and feeling jealous, gratitude journaling can be used to shift the attention away from negative projection and practice the Pygmalion Effect. At that moment, we don't have control over what's happening outside, so we can only take responsibility for what's happening inside us. The gratitude could be directed at what we have in our own life (appreciating what we have can lead to feeling less dependent on other people), at our partners (maybe even at them having a good time), and other people involved. Here is also a post with different coping strategies when feeling jealous: When getting back together after moments of jealousy, we're currently experimenting with rituals for (re)connection. These involve meditating together before doing a deep listening session. The goal is to have a container where everyone can securely share what has been coming up. <Image src="/img/2023-08-09-jealousy.jpg" width="1280"
Pygmalion Effect
The Pygmalion Effect says that trust can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. When we assume good intent and see people with loving eyes, we also get more positive reactions in return. By taking responsibility for our inner state and how we see others, we change how the world interacts with us. ✨ Trust is magic ✨ Opposite: Golem Effect "If you trust the people, they become trustworthy." – adrienne maree brown in Emergent Strategy