Guest Author - Susan Kramer

A meditation garden, whether nestled in a small city space, suburbs or open country can be a great place to unwind, relax, contemplate, rejuventate in spring, summer, fall,or even in winter!

The key to fitting everything in a small space is to use an intensive planting technique. I double dug all the area for the trees and shrubs so I could space them closely together.

Double digging involves digging down one spade's depth, and then digging down a second spade's depth, and mixing organic fertilizer in the newly created 2-foot deep hole. This gives the roots plenty of nutrients and drainage. I've been using double digging at least 20 years with great success!

View #1 of my completed meditation garden:



These are some garden 'ingredients' to consider including. I used them in a 12' diameter circle of garden space. Of course, your space could be larger or much smaller, even a balcony setting:

1. Greenery to look at while sitting on a lawn chair. For the larger items I put in 1 English boxwood that I'm trimming to be cone shape; 1 yellow cedar tree; 3 yew that are naturally cone shape; 1 holly; 1 ivy bush, 3 rose bushes against the fence and 1 photinia bush. The foliage of these are all different colors and all are winter-hardy at 50 degrees latitude - nice if you wish to use your meditation garden all year long.
2. A path made of small pavers meandering through the 12' circle of shrubs.
3. An inspiring garden statue. In this garden I chose a Buddha and a free-form sculpture I made myself from oblong pieces of granite.
4. A water feature - mine is a bird bath - and a few of my little bird friends have come to trust me; visiting when I'm out there near them and sitting very still.
5. A small patio to sit my chair on for meditation - my patio is made of aggregate concrete pavers but anything you like would work.

View #2 shows the patio at right where I have my lawn chair for meditating.



I use my meditation garden as a time to listen to the sounds of birds, the playfulness of the neighborhood children and even planes overhead. It is a time of deep rest for me; I feel like I'm nurturing my soul and spirit.

And, you'll find me here in the meditation garden at 2pm ET daily (weather permitting) meditating for world peace. Won't you join me for a few moments from wherever you are!

Meditation Garden - Design, Layout, Planting
Build a Meditation Path in Your Garden
Meditation Garden - Japanese Style
Meditation Garden - Winter
Meditation Garden - Spring
Meditation Garden - Summer
Meditation Garden - Fall
Interfaith Peace Prayer and Meditation

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For offsite reading

Meditation for Teens and Adults
More than 70 offerings, from guided meditation techniques to on-the-go stress relief and relationship meditations interspersed with verse, and a section of special occasion prayers. 114 pages.

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Meditation for all Kids
Sitting, walking, dance and group circle meditations, along with positive affirmations, verses and benefits of meditation for kids of all ages and abilities in a 100 page book with illustrations.

Article and photo credits - Susan Kramer