Find your peace at home
Transform your yard into a meditation retreat

Taking time out to be in the sunshine and fresh air is therapeutic, and it’s why
gardeners find planting, weeding and watering to be relaxing and calming. There’s
nothing more soothing to the soul than to nurture your little seedlings to growth,
and then feel the satisfaction of a bountiful harvest of either vegetables or
blooms. But there may be times when you’d like to take a few moments in your
day to take some deep breaths, reflect, and calm yourself without getting out the
garden tools. That’s when creating a peaceful meditation space in your garden
might be what you need. Everyone needs a bit of peace and quiet in their
stressful, hectic days. There are plenty of studies that show that time spent
outdoors in a quiet, contemplative spot is very beneficial for reducing stress and
finding some calm. The good news is, it’s not difficult to turn a space in your own
garden into a quiet, private sanctuary.

Define your “peace and quiet.”
Before you begin working on your meditation space, you need to consider what it
is that makes you feel most tranquil and relaxed. It can mean something different
for everyone. Would you like a space where you can quietly read, or do you prefer
a space where you can practice yoga? Does “relaxation” mean painting for you, or
listening to music? Perhaps you’d just like a space for a nice, outdoor nap.
Whatever peace and serenity mean to you, find a way to incorporate that into
your garden.

Eliminate distractions
Your meditation garden needs to feel separate from the rest of the house and
from the rest of the world. After you’ve decided how you’d like to use your
meditation space, you’ll need to get rid of all the distracting noises, sights, and
even smells that can interfere with your meditation.

Like this:

• If you’ve got unwanted street or traffic noises, think about placing a small fountain in your area, to cover the noise with the pleasant, serene sound of gently running water.
• To block an unsightly view, or if you’ve got some nosey neighbors, think about a green wall or a trellis with a blooming vine to create a new, beautiful focal point. Climbing plants like wisteria, clematis, ivy or climbing roses can help create a designated, separate space.
• Some containers of fragrant flowers like lavender, jasmine, roses or sweet peas can fill the air with calming scents to help you relax your mind and body.

Add some of your own personal joy to the space.
Now you’ve minimized the distractions, put some of your own personal touches
on the space. Everyone is different; you should think of the things that make you
feel peace and happiness, and something that will draw you into the space.

• Seating: While you’re meditating, reading, or listening to music, you’ll need the right kind of seating. This could be a comfy bench, a chaise lounge, a hammock, or something else. Perhaps a swing is what you’d like best, or an Adirondack chair.

• Your view: You’ve done what you need to block out the things you don’t want to see, but now it’s time to add the things you do like to look at. Aside from your water feature, think about a bird feeder or bird bath. If your garden has a fence or a wall, then think about what kind of art you might like to hang there. Perhaps you’d like a gazing ball or containers of plants in your favorite colors.

• Just add water: Flowing or bubbling water can provide natural white noise, and it’s also very calming to listen to. You can meditate upon the sun’s sparkles in the water, or you can create a small koi or goldfish pond and watch them for relaxation.
  
  
• Outdoor rugs or cushions: These are a great way to add color and texture to your area. Rugs are great for yoga practitioners, or you can add them to your seating area or the entrance to your meditation space, to add highlight.

• Create more pleasant sounds: You’ve got your bubbling, flowing water feature, and you’ve got your birds chirping around your bird feeder. How about some soothing, whimsical windchimes? They can be beautiful pieces of art to look at as well as listen to. Hang them throughout your garden so you can hear them and see them no matter where you are.
  
  
• Place inspiring quotes or affirmations on small plaques or stones around you. Let them serve as gentle reminders about why you’re in your meditation space. Statues, crystals or other personal, meaningful items can be focal points as well, and they can help you establish more of a connection with your meditative practice.

You’ve created a meditation garden that is not only beautiful, but also very
beneficial for your mental and physical health. Now, picture yourself practicing
deep breathing and relaxation in your tranquil meditation space, where you’re
able to retreat from your daily stressors and tune in to nature. Maintain your
sanctuary regularly, by removing fallen leaves, watering and trimming plants, and
cleaning your seating area. That well-kept space will help you hold on to your
peace and serenity.