Guest Author - Susan Kramer

Do you like order and form and have a small space for a meditation garden?

Here's a photo and description below of how I created a quiet place to meet those needs!



Some ideas for features:

1. A Garden statue for inspiration.
2. Specimen winter-hardy plants. The grasses I used here survive all year at the 50th latitude.
3. A water feature. I cheated with this and created a dry stream bed and dry pond to mimic the real thing. I dug out the ground and laid in two sizes of stones: 2" white round pebbles and then I ringed the pond area with larger rocks about 6" in diameter. I used the largest rocks on the ground before I laid the ground cover to make the scene look more natural; like a forest setting.
4. A ground cover to keep weeds down and provide an orderly appearance. I used a medium size bark mulch.
5. For seating, I created a little enclave alongside the garden in a 6' length. I doubled the width of an already present aggregate pathway from 3' to 6' in that section and sat a lawn bench on it - facing the garden.

I really love sitting in my little garden, relaxing and feeling the peacefulness of just being mindful of the moment. Mindfulness, moment to moment, is a meditation practice in itself!

As this little garden is tucked in the back corner of my yard I can sit there unseen and undisturbed. Even in winter I go out and sit on the bench in the early afternoon - as weather permits. If it is very cold I take a walk as I've written about here.

And if you have space for a larger meditation garden here is a garden plan layout that may be suitable.

Whatever time of year, whatever space you have outdoors - even if just a balcony or patio - isn't it invigorating to spend some quiet minutes meditating in the outdoors!

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

Article and photo credit - Susan Kramer

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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.