Create Your Own Zen Garden

Zen gardens were built long ago to help Zen monks fulfill their quest to be enlightened. By placing sand and stones to represent mountains and water allows the meditating person to forget the physical self and focus on the meaning of the universe.

Japanese gardens that are traditional use all natural materials and focus on spiritual beauty. Zen gardens incorporate swirls, straight lines, stones, wood and other non-living things to help with meditation. The gardens can also include water such as a pond or fountain too. The philosophy of Zen gardens is a combination of Shintoism which reveres nature and Buddhism which reveres life and Zen which seeks to find reality in all things that are in nature. Zen gardens are used for meditation and in the west they are considered tools for relaxation and concentration. They calm the nerves and aid in imagination by using a variety of techniques to produce certain effects. Water, plants and stones together create harmony.

Zen gardens are a place to escape and find tranquility in a hectic life. The first step in creating a Zen garden is to decide how large it is going to be. One needs to assess the available space and decide if the garden will be part of the backyard or smaller to fit on a desk. A mold needs to be created to hold the sand or gravel which will be the matrix of the Zen garden. A weed retainer needs to be placed in the mold using a black plastic bag will work fine. The major appeal of Zen gardens is their cleanliness and keeping weeds out is a must. Pour the sand or gravel in the mold and keep it as level as possible. One can use things such as old mossy logs, rocks with colors, shapes and textures or any other item to make the garden visually stimulating. Zen gardens also include natural colored items such as wood, rock and vegetation. One needs to place things so they are not cluttered and they appear simple and peaceful. Raking the gravel or sand to make a water ripple effect is also a good idea. One can use different patterns to accentuate the garden and it can be changed anytime.

There are some things to avoid when creating a Zen garden. Most pets do not mix well with a Zen garden and the same is true for children. The Zen garden is supposed to be a place of peace so make sure the garden is located somewhere appropriate. Weeds can also ruin a Zen garden so take precautionary measures to avoid them.

Here are some supplies that might be needed to make a Zen garden. A form to place the Zen garden in, whether it is big or small and nails or screws to keep it together. Sand and stones are also needed, make sure there is enough for the size garden you have. Rocks and logs or polished pebbles are also other amendments that can be added. Lastly, one will need a rake, proper lighting and a lot of patience.