Have you ever wished for a little nook in your garden where you can forget your worries, trust the process, and find your inner self? A cosy meditation garden might do the trick, and construction is easier than you think! You can easily create a relaxing retreat in your backyard with a few simple vital items or design ideas. Here’s how to make your meditation garden in three easy steps: choosing a suitable place and clarifying your goals, blending in nature for relaxation and equilibrium, and investing in softness and personalization.
First, look for a spot that offers peace, tranquillity, and privacy and is free from many disturbances. This location should be far from noise and convenient. The size of your meditation garden is not crucial; even a portion of a space designed with purpose can suffice.
The first question is yes: What’s the primary function of this garden? Is it a space for contemplation, yoga in the mornings, or to collect your thoughts at the end of a tiring day? Knowing your aims lets you decide the arrangement of your space and the most suitable features to incorporate that would create the feeling you want.
Example: For rest, emphasize soft lighting, light colours, and comfortable seating. For stands designed for morning yoga, consider having an open space with adequate natural light and a flat surface to accommodate your mat.
Plants are one of the most essential atmosphere components, making them suitable for meditation. Use easy-to-keep plants such as ferns, lavender, and bamboo to help create an atmosphere of serenity. In a constrained environment, vertical spaces can be utilized through potted plants or vertical gardens to create an appealing environment.
It is no secret that water is one element that most people find relaxing. It may be a pet bird, each in its bird bath or even large fountains on surfaces mouthing great elegance—water features of any kind invoke soothing sound, and each has a quality that complements many other aspects of meditation spaces. However, it's essential to consider safety and maintenance when incorporating water features. For instance, a small tabletop fountain can be a great option if installation is not feasible or expensive or space doesn’t allow it due to design. Just be sure to regularly clean and maintain it to remain peaceful in your garden.
Tip: You want to ensure that your water feature serves its purpose while blending in the rest of the items in the room: be sure to angle it such that while it can be visible, it is not offensive to the eye.
Would you like to have gravel or natural stones in your backyard? Adding rocks and gravel to your garden serves an aesthetic purpose and gives the area some grounding energy. Use gravel to surround a central circular stone for your meditation area, or build a path to lead you there. Such a path may also become a breathing exercise, which helps in the preparatory stage of seated meditation.
Example: Create a circular pattern with smooth, flat stones for a Zen touch. Use gravel for the garden's border and plants.
A meditation garden must include comfortable seating. This may consist of a lovely wooden picnic bench, a relaxing hammock chair, or a couple of soft, large cushions that are easy to handle and move about. Just remember to choose weatherproof materials.
Pro Tip: If you meditate on the floor, consider getting a comfortable, sturdy meditation cushion with a solid foundation.
For evenings, soft lighting options should enhance the place. Decorative and purpose-driven elements like lanterns, string lights, or powered solar lights that are good for the garden can be included. Too much harsh lighting should be avoided, and instead, a warm glow that makes for a good ambience and is soothing to the eyes should be sought.
Adorning one's meditation garden with relevant artefacts creates a greater sense of identity in that place. Whatever the case, small statues, crystals, wind chimes, or even a meditation altar can go a long way to beautify your garden. These details beautify the garden, as they are a part of their personality and are believed to boost the spiritual energy in the garden. For instance, some love using peace symbols, while others love cruelty-free peace, bringing windchimes. Consider adding a small fountain or a bird feeder to attract wildlife, further enhancing the natural ambience of your garden.
Example: Some love using peace symbols, while others love cruelty-free peace, bringing windchimes.
A meditation garden can be tremendous and therapeutic, creating sit-downs and bringing nature indoors. Through location selection, elements of nature, and aesthetically pleasing comfort, one can make a peaceful sleep sanctuary that encourages meditation. Always savour the time you spend in this calming place, and let it inspire you to "stop and breathe" and reinforce the desire to return to yourself when required.