How to Make an Indoor Zen Pebble Arrangement

Zen is a Buddhist philosophy whose primary principle is peace and meditation. Zen gardens allow users to create a tranquil space anywhere from a desktop to a back yard. Although traditional Zen gardens would incorporate all the natural elements, a Zen pebble garden can bring peace and harmony to people who don’t have the room or the inclination to deal with water sources and live plants. Zen arrangements are not only attractive, but serve a purpose for the gardener. The act of caring for and arranging the Zen garden brings about peace and calm otherwise known as a “Zen state.” Feel like you could use a little Zen? Here is how to make an easy indoor Zen pebble arrangement.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small shallow glass pan
• Black pebbles or smoothed stones available at any craft shop
• Clean white sand
• Small wire brush like you would use for combing a pet
• Wooden chopstick or a fork

1. Decide on a location. You want to create your Zen pebble arrangement in a place where you spend a lot of time and where you can relax. Since this is only a partial Zen display, as it only incorporates the dry elements as opposed to including all the natural elements as a full fledged Zen garden would, a table top will do. If possible, place it near a fish tank or a live plant.

2. Gather your “ingredients.” Place the glass dish in the area you want to keep your Zen garden. Be sure it has plenty of good light, to absorb positive energy into your home.

3. Pour the clean sand into the glass dish. Fill it to the near top so that you have plenty of sand in which to create your designs on a daily basis.

4. Smooth the sand with the brush. A smooth surface is not only an aesthetic necessity, but the act of caring for your Zen arrangement is meant to calm you and bring you peace.

5. Take some of the rounded stones and place them in a pleasing arrangement in your sand. You don’t want to use too many; about five will usually suffice. Arrange the stones in groups, or separate as you fancy.

6. Take the chopstick and create your sand design. You can drag it around the stones to create a unique trail or make it separate from the pebbles displayed. Again, the most important thing is that while you make the design you free your mind from worry and feel calm and peaceful.

7. Change the design and groom your Zen display daily. This is part of the Zen philosophy of continuous calm and attention to nature.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want to go to all the work to assemble your zen garden, there are plenty of pre-made zen pebble arrangement kits out there, so shop around.
• Use a more decorative dish to dress up your display.

[talzium21]

on 12/11/2008 Very easy, very satisfying!