Zen Garden - Balance your Yin and Yang!
Making your own Japanese Zen garden can be a very cathartic experience. These gardens were started thousands of years ago, as retreats for people to refocus their energies and not take life too seriously. Kyoto is a very famous Zen garden. There are many examples in websites on the Internet for your perusal.
If you would like to make your own Zen garden in your backyard, there are a number of elements you will want to consider before putting in your design. The first thing you will want to consider when creating your Zen garden is how big and what do you want it to contain. Do you want an area for seating? Sand plot? Water feature? These are all very important.
Sand is a key element to your Zen garden. Many of the Japanese gardens have acres of sand and the concept is to draw sometimes-intricate designs as a means of meditation and reflection. The one that you make does not have to be acres long. You may only have a small patch within your Zen garden, but if you put a bench near it, you may sit on the bench and draw in the sand with a stick. You will get the same benefits.
Water is another key feature. Whether you decide on a grand scale, such as a large koi pond, or just a table top water feature, the desire is to have sprinkling or bubbling waters for which enlightenment may follow after deep soul searching.
Having a potting area is important in your Zen garden. Try your hand at bonsai. That is the ancient art of keeping something like a tree that would normally grow to very large proportions, and by pruning and reshaping, keeping it very pint size. If this is something that interests you, please check out the many books and pages of literature online or in your local bookstore.
Having a rock area with all different shapes and sizes are an important element. These different rocks can be chosen for many different reasons. Maybe you would like to pick a rock from each place you visit as a remembrance. These can be artfully positioned for reflection.
Making your own Zen garden is a process. If you aren’t sure where to start, many local floral stores will offer classes. You just need to take the time to learn. This area in your yard will teach reflection and most importantly to know when not to take live too seriously.