The Garden (philosophical school)

The Garden philosophical school, associated with the Neoplatonists and earlier thinkers like Plotinus, emphasizes the idea of spiritual cultivation and the soul’s ascent toward unity with the divine. It uses the metaphor of a garden symbolizing growth, virtue, and the pursuit of higher truths. Practitioners believe that through intellectual and moral development—like tending a garden—they can transcend worldly distractions and achieve a deeper connection with the divine reality. This school encourages inner harmony, contemplation, and the idea that the soul’s journey is akin to nurturing plants to reach their full potential.