Guest Author - Susan Kramer

Fall is a great time to sit in your meditation garden or take a quiet walking meditation through a park or nature. The wind picks up, foilage is revealing its colorful nature, leaves rustle, the air is crisp and invigorating.

If you decide on the walking meditation begin with a deep cleansing breath, stretch your arms overhead and to the sides and down. Lean over and reach for your toes and straighten up.

Now begin your walk by taking even strides and counting in a regular pattern to get your steps and breath coordinated - this helps to calm and center your mind. Example: breathe in for 2 steps; breathe out for 2 steps; breathe in for 2 steps and continue.

Back in your meditation garden, this is a good time to finish pulling weeds and mulching the ground for winter. I like to get the bird feeder ready for when the ground is frozen, and I make sure the bird bath has water - even when the water freezes I go out and break it up each morning for the jays and doves to enjoy.

All year long the meditation garden provides a respite from daily cares - a mini-vacation right at home!

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.