Maya Tillman
You are about to enter into Eve’s Garden, take a moment to pause, close your eyes and listen.
"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate," Genesis 3:6
" These hands connect to the earth, they write the pages of my story, these hands are a symbol of growth, they contain power and strength."
Black Child
Black child, that little girl with the coils in her hair,
squinty eyes with black pupils
watch them sparkle like dark sapphires shining in the sun,
oh do you know what it means to live like me?
incomplete but filled with desire
born with a sense of urgency
I must prove to myself that I have a purpose you see?
Black woman, all grown up in the city
I came from the dirt roads of Georgia and the smoldering heat
searching for my identity
I want to be heard not just seen, my psyche is on the verge of withering; if I do not learn what it means to be,
A black Woman in this society.
-mayaT.
In Eve’s Garden, I share aspects of my self-discovery journey where I express parts of the ‘theology of liberation’ – my human right to define my spirituality as an adult Black woman. To that end, I have researched modern methods such as meditation, spatial immersion, and healing soundscapes in order to identify accessible self-healing practices. I choose to perform improvisational movement pieces in real garden spaces, which historically represent a utopian place of peace and self- reflection.
Gardens are an escape from reality
Often finding a place to be still and practice mindfulness is difficult. My mind is constantly moving and burns out easily as I struggle with mental health and have no experience in healing practices. Becoming vulnerable with strangers in order to reach a satisfying sense of relief is an uncomfortable experience that I did not enjoy at this point in my life. Being indoors constantly creates an imbalance mentally and also physically. I needed an escape from the reality that I was living and still experiencing today. Being outside provides a multi-sensory experience for me. Reaching a sense of bliss can take work and methods of meditation can vary from sound and acupuncture to yoga and physical exercise. While simply going outside and sitting with nature can provide short term benefits and easily calm your mind quickly, it is something that everyone can do while at home. I am not a professional nor do I have the means to provide a luxurious retreat for myself to relax, so just going outside is cost effective. Garden spaces allow for an immersive experience that touch on a few of the senses; touch, sight, hearing, and smell. Fragrance, color and texture are key elements that make up a garden.The earth as well as our bodies are made up of water and plants and so simply being near calm streams and foliage or listening to trickling water and rustling leaves can cause a calming affect on the mind.
Sound Bath
Sound bath #1 for immersion into the Utopia of growth and self discovery. Listen
A sound bath is a meditation method that allows sound to immerse your body within a wave or bath of vibrations that cause a calming affect from the inside out. This method of escape provides the same affects of a garden and placing it within an indoor space.
End of the journey
You’ve completed this experience, in order to re-enter society fully whole again allow the vibrations of the sound bath to restore your energy and prepare you for reality, take a moment to close your eyes, and listen.