Having a garden gives you many opportunities to really turn it into your personal paradise. A garden is supposed to provide you with a relaxing atmosphere and to be a getaway from the everyday problems. We all need to find our inner peace, and the quickest way for that would be to create a Zen garden. There are many forms of meditation, so why shouldn’t your garden help you meditate and reach that inner peace? Let it be a separate place from the rest of the backyard where you can dive deeper into inner self.
1. Sand
Sand is often found in Zen gardens, and it’s usually raked in a pattern that mimics the ripples in the water. It’s the stillness of sand that clams us and helps us meditate while raking the sand is relaxing but can also serve as a form of meditation. You can also add rocks to the sand to create a miniature landscape, for example, miniature hills or even islands. Get creative with it. Another important element is the way the rocks interact with the sand – it is similar to the way the water interacts with rocks that are surrounded by it.
2. Moss
Moss is a persistent plant that occurs on its own in some gardens. However, you can place it on some rocks to make it symbolize gentleness. It’s the softness of the moss that comes as an opposite to the hard, cold surface of the rock – a perfect example of a balance that should be present in every aspect of our lives. In case you have a really small Zen garden, moss is a perfect choice for its decoration.
3. Trees and bushes
Traditional Zen gardens are very poor when it comes to plants. However, modern Zen gardens are more open to the idea of plant life enriching the surroundings. Japanese maple, bonsai or a miniature cedar are most frequently found in modern Zen gardens. You can also choose among 50 varieties of dogwoods to decorate your garden. There is something calming about the trees – they are stable, deep-rooted and persistent. These are definitely the features we all strive to have.
4. Bamboo
Japan is full of bamboo forests, so no wonder it’s common in Zen gardens, too. The light breeze that bamboo creates is why it is loved so much. Once bamboo spreads its roots, it’s very difficult to remove it. Even though it looks weak and fragile, it is incredibly tenacious. We can learn a lot from bamboo – it’s important to be flexible and to bend when it’s absolutely necessary, but it won’t move us because our roots are deep and stable. Bamboo is a great way to separate the garden from the rest of the backyard – use it to create a natural fence that hides you from others while you meditate.
5. The location
The first step is finding the best spot for your Zen garden. Think about the time you’ll be using the garden so that you can consider the amount of light you’ll be getting at that time. Maybe it turns out that the sun will be too direct at the time you want to be in the garden, so think of the ways to hide from it. Also, no need for you to avoid the garden on a really hot day – you can enjoy a relaxing mediation if you search online for some great pergola, retractable roof and awning like Oztech Premium Awning. That way, you’ll be able to control how much sun you get at any part of the day.
Another factor to include when it comes to location is the seating. Think about what type of seating you want because the comfort should be one of the priorities, so make sure the seating can fit into that place.
In case you also want to have a hammock or a yoga mat in the garden, then make sure you have enough space for that, too. You can also consider a couple’s meditation – in that case, you should find a spot big enough for two plush chairs.
6. A Koi pond
Breeding Koi is a form of art in Japan. There, they represent the life that is constantly in motion and some kind of transition. These ponds look truly gorgeous but you must consider a couple of things if you’re thinking about building a Koi pond. First of all, if your Zen garden is small, it probably won’t fit – the pond should be at least three feet deep in order to contain more than 1,000 of water. Secondly, if you want bigger-sized fish, it can cost you a couple of thousands of dollars. And lastly, you have to protect the fish from cats and raccoons and also have it regularly maintained.
Final words
Having a Zen garden is a true blessing in today’s hectic world. We all need that hidden place where we can throw off the armor we carry all day and just be ourselves. We all need those 15 minutes to turn off our mind that constantly bombards us with worries and obligations and to reach a higher level of existence. Your Zen garden could really take you there.
Author Bio
Sarah Jessica Smith is a young blogger from Sydney. She is in love with life and all the things that can make her daily routine easier. She loves to write about home improvement, lifestyle, and all the small things that make life such a great adventure.