Creating quiet: Make your own meditation garden

For The Associated Press

By DEAN FOSDICK

Every home has enough space for some dream-building — an out-of-the-way spot for relaxing after a hectic day’s work, a quiet corner where your mind is free to drift, a site too distant to hear the doorbell’s chime.

With some thoughtful landscaping, those out-of-the-way spots can emerge as meditation gardens, spirit gardens, healing gardens or Japanese rock gardens. All are created to raise consciousness or reduce stress.

“Just as there are many forms of meditation, people have a variety of needs from a meditation garden,” said Nicole Kistler, an artist and environmental designer from Seattle. “Any space where people feel comfortable and safe will be a good place to meditate.”

A meditation garden should be sensory-rich — rich in plants, trees or shrubs that are aromatic, soothing to the ears and appealing to the eyes.

That would mean such calming background sounds as the breeze-driven rustling of ornamental grass, the delicate clatter of bamboo, water gurgling from a fountain or splashing from a waterfall. Muted foliage works better than a distracting bold, along with the scent of blooms or herbs that have been crushed underfoot.

“I often see three key elements in gardens for reflection and meditation: water, lush green plants and comfortable seating,” Kistler said.

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