How to Make a Desktop Zen Garden
The word "Zen" means "meditation" in Sanskrit. Zen gardens have graced Japan's landscape for centuries. The beauty and simplicity of a Zen garden is meant to inspire peace and serenity--no matter how small the garden is. Desktop Zen gardens are a way to introduce relaxation into a busy work day. Zen gardens are easy to make. Or, if you don't have time to hunt down the ingredients, you can make your own desktop Zen garden from one of the many inexpensive kits online. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Find a suitable base for your desktop Zen garden. For a traditional Zen garden, look for a shallow wooden or metal tray or box (no more than 2 inches in height). Or personalize your Zen garden and choose any container that you like. The only limitation is that the container must lie flat on the table.
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Fill the container to within 1/4 inch of its rim. Traditional Zen gardens are filled with crushed granite or fine gravel. The irregular shape of the particles helps to give definition to the patterns created in the garden with the rake. If you cannot find the proper granite or gravel, consider using turkey or chicken grit. You can also use sand of any color, but it will not hold the patterns as well as the aforementioned materials.
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Choose rocks, twigs or other items to include in your Zen garden. In a Zen garden, the sand is intended to symbolize waves. The rocks symbolize mountains or islands. Traditionally, Zen gardens contain only a few stones and in odd numbers (especially threes). For ideas, consult pictures of Zen gardens for elements that appeal to you.
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Use a miniature rake to make long patterns that mimic water. Rake your garden every day for a moment of meditative peacefulness.
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Tips & Warnings
Many of the supplies for a desktop Zen garden can be found at your local hobby shop.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit a zen garden #2 image by tobe_dw from Fotolia.com
