A Zen garden could be the perfect place for quiet contemplation. The whole idea is to create a visually appealing, clean garden irrespective of how small or big the size of your garden is. Zen gardens can be created at home, office, or even on the desktop. A miniature one on the desktop could make your workspace stress-free. The size may vary but the basic elements remain the same. A Zen garden can be a great stress reliever or a source of spiritual strength, depending on how you look at it. Harmoniously arranged rocks and gravel can create the right ambience for peaceful contemplation. The simplicity of a Zen garden can calm your mind and awaken your soul. Bring a sense of peace and tranquility to your surroundings. Drive all the stress away and watch how a fresh outlook and a clear mind can turn things around for you, making your life more fulfilling.
Natural and architectural elements are aesthetically used to create a Japanese style Zen garden. The stones represent mountains and the white sand represents flowing water. The garden is layered with a foreground and a background, creating a three dimensional perspective. Water features like a stream or a pond form the natural elements that add beauty to the landscape. Rocks add a new dimension to the Zen garden. The rocks must be graded according to size and placed in the right spots to create a perfect landscape - larger ones in the foreground and smaller ones in the background. They add depth and character to the garden.
A stone lantern, a bridge, and other features could be added to create a sense of distance and a focal point. The illusion of depth and space is created depending on the placement of elements. Japanese stone lanterns add mystique, tradition, and spirituality. Stones give the Zen an ancient, spiritual quality. Water is the heart of the garden and symbolises purity. Plants add subtle colour and texture. Walls, fences, gates, pathways, bridges, and lanterns add to the visual appeal. Statues that signify something spiritual can add interest to the Zen garden.
A wooden bench close to a pathway can help you relax, read a book, or simply meditate. Another good idea for relaxation would be to place a seat or bench close to a water feature. The soothing sound of water can be relaxing. The sound of wind chimes whenever there's a gentle breeze can be relaxing too. Use all these ideas to make your Zen garden a perfect haven for relaxation.
Some things that must be kept in mind are that the Zen garden must not be cluttered. The garden should always be free of weeds. Prune and nurture the garden regularly. It's not something to be rushed through because the purpose of the Zen garden is to reflect the beauty of nature through the careful design of the garden.
Courtesy: TimesofIndia