Be Still

We all need a space. Somewhere we can step out of our daily routine and be still. The world we have built is a noisy, crowded place. We need a healthy escape where we can renew.

A meditation garden, whether nestled in a small city place, suburb or open country can be a great place to unwind, relax, contemplate and rejuvenate in all seasons. The garden allows you to step aside and have some time when your mind is not filled with the what if, what's next and the whys that demand your attention.

Gardening itself can be a meditative activity but there are times when something more is required. If you have a garden or a space where you can create a garden you are indeed fortunate. The size of this space does not need to be great. A meditation garden may be only a few square feet.

Advance courses of study are not required to create your own mediation garden. All you need is the desire to do so. Less is more when designing a meditation garden, where the minimalist approach can be functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. These gardens are meant for dreaming, not for tending. These should be healing and relaxing gardens. Low maintenance. Not large. Not places where you have to work.

Choose low-maintenance plants -- for the most part perennials -- with features that appeal to the senses. If greenery is not an option, you can use rocks and sand to create a Zen inspired garden.

Water features. Few sounds are more lulling than those made by moving water. Ponds, streams, waterfalls or fountains are design standards for meditation gardens, often serving as the focal point. They also attract many species of wildlife.

But beware the temptation to continue adding on.

It's human nature to add more and more. If you have a pond, then you add an aerator. Then you add some fish. Then you have to add filters. People can lose what they're seeking in a meditation garden by making it too complicated, too much work.