Mini Zen Gardens

[Visitor]

Mini Zen garden: also known as mini sand garden, or mini Japanese rock garden.

On my lounge coffee table, I have a mini Japanese rock garden.
I love to play with it in the mornings, while having a hot cuppa.
Quite often, some lovely impressions come from this.

Quote from below wiki link: 'They were intended to imitate the intimate essence of nature, not its actual appearance, and to serve an aid to meditation about the true meaning of life '
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_rock_garden

For those who wish to make a simple mini zen garden in 7 steps.
http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Zen-Garden

Here is a lovely example of a mini japanese rock garden.
http://www.mitokourakuen.com/wp-content/uploads/Zen-Gardens-32.jpg

If you have photos of your own mini zen garden creations, let's see them.
If you found a nice mini zen garden image on the Internet, please post a link. (copyright laws). :wink:

[muileag]

Lovely :smile:

I had one a few moves ago...maybe I'll get another after I move; it's one way to express myself creatively (because I have no fine motor skills for painting or drawing) because you can just let yourself flow.

[Adrienne]

Very nice Visitor. I can see how peaceful and calming this would be, having such an indoor garden .....and how the mind can drift, while making designs in the sand. I can see this as a mediation of sorts.

I had an Aunt and Uncle who had some Zen Gardens in their backyard, very lovely.

[Soul Searching]

Funnily enough I was just reading up about mini zen gardens on line last night. :smile:

I have been thinking recently of making one myself, rather than buying a kit to make one. I feel as though making the actual garden from scratch would give me a better outlet for personal expression, as well as the added calming, stress releasing and meditative aspects that are associated with them.

Also ...... they can be very beautiful in their simplicity. :smile:

[Visitor]

Thank you muileag, Dream Angel, and Soul Searching for your response and support.

... I have been thinking recently of making one myself, rather than buying a kit to make one. I feel as though making the actual garden from scratch would give me a better outlet for personal expression, as well as the added calming, stress releasing and meditative aspects that are associated with them.
I agree with you about building from scratch. Over the years I have built two MZG for friends, (smaller than this one).
Also enjoyed creating a zen garden, together with owner, of small backyard.
They have that calming effect on my nervous system.

Here is composition image of my Mini Zen Garden (MZG). It was designed to suit a bought coffee table.
The MZG is placed on top of the table, but I also placed a dark chocolate brown sheet of felt between the two.

The MZG tools, (lined rakes, smoothing rake, and single points) are made from 1/4 inch dowel, chopsticks, and wooden kebab skewers.
All the rocks, stones, and other bits and pieces are stored in the trough compartments around the MZG.
Many of these, were collected from streams, and beaches. Collecting bits for the MZG is half the fun.

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Minizegarden_0.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Minizegarden_0.jpg.html)

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Minizegarden_1.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Minizegarden_1.jpg.html)

[Adrienne]

Very cool Visitor ! thanks for sharing the steps to make a MZG, yours looks very nice. :smile:

"Collecting bits for the MZG is half the fun." I can see how it would be. I think if I had one of these on my table I would be zoned out most of the time, creating patterns and letting my thoughts drift far away . :wink:

[muileag]

Beautiful craftsmanship, Visitor! My garden was only half that size.

I already have enough rocks for a garden....I collect them from streams and beaches (along with sea glass and shells)....and often find special ones tucked into pockets, car nooks and crannies, and bags :smile:

[Adrienne]

Beautiful craftsmanship, Visitor!

Craftmanship, that was the word I was looking for Muileag . Seashells and sea glass would be wonderful additions !:smile:

[Visitor]

Hello muileag, and Dream Angel.
Thanks again.
...I already have enough rocks for a garden....I collect them from streams and beaches (along with sea glass and shells)....and often find special ones tucked into pockets, car nooks and crannies, and bags :smile:
Me too.
I have many old ice-cream containers filled with sea glass and ceratain shells.
Most are brown glass, then white/clear, green, and then blue. Blue sea glass is very rare where I live.
I started collecting glass as a sort of repentance for all the smashed bottles of booze I created in my lifetime. Ha ha ha.
I am currently creating my first mosaic from sea glass and a certain blue shell. It will be a large eye. (I have a thing about eyes ... windows to the soul?)

[Adrienne]

Your mosaic sounds like a very creative piece of art. Yes, I have heard that also ~ eyes are the window to the soul . Speaking of eyes, your avatar is a bit eerie :icon_eek: :D

[Visitor]

Hello Dream Angel.
Here is a link to an SF post what explains my avatar.
http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=966911&postcount=28
It is my understanding of a spiritual Being.

[Adrienne]

Hello Visitor, very interesting story about your avatar, sorry about the breakup. Your avatar is quite ' eye catching ' :D

[Visitor]

Hello Dream Angel.
It is funny that you mentioned the word breakup. I never saw it as such. Though I can see where you got that impression.
She has relocated to Canada for her spiritual growth, and at first she did not want to leave me, but I encouraged her to go. I decided to stay here. I have a strong calling to be here.
She is going very well there. We still keep in contact very regularly. We love each other very much.

[muileag]

Hello muileag, and Dream Angel.
Thanks again.

Me too.
I have many old ice-cream containers filled with sea glass and ceratain shells.
Most are brown glass, then white/clear, green, and then blue. Blue sea glass is very rare where I live.
I started collecting glass as a sort of repentance for all the smashed bottles of booze I created in my lifetime. Ha ha ha.
I am currently creating my first mosaic from sea glass and a certain blue shell. It will be a large eye. (I have a thing about eyes ... windows to the soul?)

Blue sea glass is coveted on the east coast of the US, too...I guess there aren't as many blue bottles to be smashed as there are brown ones!

Please post your mosaic when you're finished :smile:

[Visitor]

Hello muileag.
Blue sea glass is coveted on the east coast of the US, too...I guess there aren't as many blue bottles to be smashed as there are brown ones!
Very true!
Please post your mosaic when you're finished :smile:
I have started a thread in ART, called An Art Studio. I will be posting it in there.

[Visitor]

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Minizegarden_2.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Minizegarden_2.jpg.html)

[Visitor]

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Minizegarden_3-1.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Minizegarden_3-1.jpg.html)

[Visitor]

Tools
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Minizegarden_4_tools.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Minizegarden_4_tools.jpg.html)

[Visitor]

Does anybody have any thoughts on what these are?

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Minizegarden_5.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Minizegarden_5.jpg.html)

[Visitor]

Here is a good example of a Zen Garden.
Do you notice anything amazing about it? If so, please post your findings here.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tfa/516003134/

[muileag]

I've been meaning to post in this thread ever since you posted the photo which looked like a turtle swimming toward an egg-yolk island :wink:

Lovely polished, colored stones.

The last one (which looks like manatees) reminded me of a repeated dream I had very often growing up...three whales that come to converse with me while I'm standing on the edge of a rocky outcropping. (At least that's what popped out at me because of my personal experience.)

And what I find amazing about the bottom photo is that the lovely designs aren't disturbed by footprints...did the gardener hop from rock to rock (some are quite a stretch)?

:smile:

[Visitor]

Thanks for your response muileag.
The last image is supposed to be three frogs. The frog, is a common rock shape used in Zen gardens.

I will give a hint to the image found on the link page.... it can only be seen at this vantage point.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tfa/516003134/

[Visitor]

Referring back to posts #20 and 22....

Here is a good example of a Zen Garden.
Do you notice anything amazing about it?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tfa/516003134/

I will give a hint.... it can only be seen at this vantage point.
If you do see something, please post your findings here.

[muileag]

Thanks for your response muileag.
The last image is supposed to be three frogs. The frog, is a common rock shape used in Zen gardens.

I will give a hint to the image found on the link page.... it can only be seen at this vantage point.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tfa/516003134/

Oh, I thought you meant what "I" see and not something literal...like the raindrops in the lefthand side of the pic.

Have a pleasant day, Visitor...thank you for the peaceful pictures :smile:

[Visitor]

Hello muileag.

To clarify. I posted the link for you and others to discover a little bit more about zen gardens.

The idea about a zen garden is to observe and see beyond the obvious (a bunch of rocks on a gravel bed). It is much like seeing shapes in clouds.

When I said, "it can only be seen at this vantage point", I meant ... imagine you have taken the photograph, holding the camera at that exact vantage point. Any other location would miss the zen image. IMHO.

Over forty people have viewed this thread since introducing the link, but no response. Forgive me if I assume no-one has seen what I see. So I'll post another clue.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xpc36WQ62MM/Ubcl8SegYoI/AAAAAAAAFV8/k8pHhJF2TgU/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG

[muileag]

Aha! I see; we're supposed to see what you're seeing (the first thing that popped into my head, which was a sea dragon)

[Visitor]

Hello muileag.

Aha! I see; we're supposed to see what you're seeing (the first thing that popped into my head, which was a sea dragon)
Thanks for pointing out my arrogance of wishing others to see what I saw. I guess I got caught up with my own imagery.
Sorry everybody for misleading you in any way.

Seeing something out of the shapes and patterns of a dry zen garden is the essence of zen meditation and intuition. Whether you see what I see is irrelevant.
My original goal was to introduce a different way of seeing a zen garden, for those who are unfamiliar with them.

I see a man and a horse wading through water.
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/manandhorsewadingthroughwater.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/manandhorsewadingthroughwater.jpg.html)

To view zen garden again:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tfa/516003134/

[muileag]

Hello muileag.


Thanks for pointing out my arrogance of wishing others to see what I saw. I guess I got caught up with my own imagery.
Sorry everybody for misleading you in any way.

Seeing something out of the shapes and patterns of a dry zen garden is the essence of zen meditation and intuition. Whether you see what I see is irrelevant.
My original goal was to introduce a different way of seeing a zen garden, for those who are unfamiliar with them.

I see a man and a horse wading through water.
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/manandhorsewadingthroughwater.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/manandhorsewadingthroughwater.jpg.html)

To view zen garden again:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tfa/516003134/

I wouldn't label it so much your arrogance as my ignorance :smile:

You asked if anyone saw something "amazing about it" (and I automatically thought you were asking about the picture -- my mistake)...and it is amazing to me that the rake designs are pristine, especially because it's quite a distance between some of the rocks. I didn't realize that you were asking what we saw in the rocks. The first thing I saw when I opened the picture is what you see as a horse; it looked like a water dragon to me (a type of swimming horse)...or Nessie :wink:

Once you showed the second clue, I could see what you were getting at.

My question to you is, when you design a formal Zen garden, are you supposed to create recognizable images? Is there always a figure or two, like your frogs (which look like manatees to me), or are some Zen gardens just a creative pattern? The only analogy that I can come up with is that of a student analyzing a poem; there is the poet's intended meaning, and then there's meaning the reader gleans based on the experiences he brings to the reading. Should I approach the design in similar fashion?

I hope I didn't interject disharmony into your Zen thread; I seriously didn't know that there are traditional representations of certain animals/patterns as I only used my small garden for swirling :smile:

[Visitor]

Hi muileag.
Sorry for delay, I just got back.
... I didn't realize that you were asking what we saw in the rocks. The first thing I saw when I opened the picture is what you see as a horse; it looked like a water dragon to me (a type of swimming horse)...or Nessie :wink:

Once you showed the second clue, I could see what you were getting at.

My question to you is, when you design a formal Zen garden, are you supposed to create recognizable images?
That is up to the designer. Most use recognizable images in a rock, like a frog, a person, emotions, known islands, etc. Some use these recognized rocks as pieces to a scene/image.

Is there always a figure or two, like your frogs (which look like manatees to me),...
No, actually it is more common in older/ancient zen gardens.

... or are some Zen gardens just a creative pattern?
I would say, that most modern zen gardens just use creative patterns. However, the zen part is still significant, where the meditative observer receives intuition and insight.

The only analogy that I can come up with is that of a student analyzing a poem; there is the poet's intended meaning, and then there's meaning the reader gleans based on the experiences he brings to the reading. Should I approach the design in similar fashion?
Great analogy. Same as other forms of art - each to their own creative thoughts/perception.

I hope I didn't interject disharmony into your Zen thread; I seriously didn't know that there are traditional representations of certain animals/patterns as I only used my small garden for swirling :smile:
muileag, I never saw you as interjecting disharmony. Sorry you saw it that way. If anything, it is me who tends to push and shove.
Traditional zen gardens are huge. The rocks they use are not easy to transport around, or to position into place.
As far as I know, they are not altered from their natural state (like carved).
So they are selected pieces for some intention. Though the original intention may get altered while placing the pieces in the garden.

Japanese zen gardens, as far as I know, is an off branch from Japanese garden design. That is, a Japanese garden has more than one scenic viewpoint.
Nearly every possible section of the garden becomes a new scene. From within the main house, looking through the framed window is a complete scene (a balanced, harmonious composition).
In the garden, every pathway, even if it is only a few steps, may lead you to see around a blind corner and view a new vista - complete, balanced, harmonious composition. A world in itself.
Much like a house with rooms.

Most large Japanese gardens contain a tea house somewhere in it.
A good garden design will assist the visiting person(s) along the journey, to the tea house, to arrive with a serene humble mind.
There is a famous Japanese garden, in Japan, that requires visitors to pass through a hole before getting to the tea house. But the hole is at ground level and requires one to cruel through on their hands and knees.

There is a lot more about Japanese gardens, but getting back to the mini zen dry gardens, they are for playing with easily placed bits and pieces to discover your own intuitive insights and intentions.

[Visitor]

This Zen garden is in Portland, Oregon.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Portland_Japanese_gardens_zen_garden.jpg

[muileag]

Responding to your last reply in blue: I'm relieved...

I have a handful of places on my bucket list to visit, and Japan is one of them. The image of making my way through a zen garden en route to a tearoom is peaceful.

[muileag]

Responding to your last reply in blue: I'm relieved...

I have a handful of places on my bucket list to visit, and Japan is one of them. The image of making my way through a zen garden en route to a tearoom is peaceful.

Too late to edit my original post: I just started my planning period (last period of the day on "day 1's") and decided that I needed to take a virtual tour through a zen garden before tackling more papers. There are some very nice youtube vides -- most are too long for right now, but I will definitely go back and enjoy. I did watch this video showing zen garden maintenance...it's more work than I'm willing to do at the moment!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kff7GsbagQo

[Visitor]

Here are photographs taken from a nearby river bed at low tide. It just looks like a zen garden.

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Naturalzengardens_1.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Naturalzengardens_1.jpg.html)
The water currents of the rising and receding tides carve troughs into the sand.
There seems to be a seagull enjoying a standing zen meditation. :icon_rolleyes:

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Naturalzengardens_2.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Naturalzengardens_2.jpg.html)

I like this one because there is no rock where (I assume) was one... - 'The Vanishing'.

[muileag]

I walked by and "stole" that rock for my collection :wink:

I just spent twenty minutes looking for some super cool pics I took on Assateague Island a few years back -- very similar to your photos, but of stones in softer sand standing like soldiers or ducks with the wind rippling the sand in one direction. The ocean was in the background. I was lying on my stomach when I took them, so they looked like mini-Stonehenge.

Of course, I can't find them. I am notorious for taking lots of pictures, downloading them and then not backing them up. They were probably on the laptop I had before this one.

When I move, I am getting a new digital camera...and I will be diligent in labeling, storing, and printing off my photos. :smile:

[Faith33]

So beautiful and peaceful...

Hey, where did that rock go!

[Faith33]

Ha, muileag answered my question!

[Soul Searching]

Loving this thread !! ....... :D

I am on the look out for some polished stones for my garden at the moment. The photos you have posted are very inspirational, and show just how beautifully simple Zen Gardens can be.

Oh, and I hope you don't mind, but here's a little Zen Garden humour ...... :D


http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m487/Yorkshirepud1/first-day-at-zen-garden-school.png

[muileag]

Love it, Soulie...thanks for the laugh! :D

[Visitor]

:laughing6: Very funny Soul Searching.

But it is a good point though. Humor in zen meditation can open some doors.

Are you creating a Japanese garden, or zen garden?

[Soul Searching]

Hi Visitor. :wink:

I find that humour is an essential part of life ....... even in the darkest times humour can lift us. :smile:

I was thinking of creating a Mini Zen Garden. I just love the beautiful flowing simplicity of them, and imagine that in creating the various forms within, you would find yourself a little.

[Visitor]

Oh, I remember now :icon_rolleyes: . You mentioned about this in an earlier post.

I hope you will posts images of your mini zen garden, and scenes here, for us to see.

[Visitor]

Fifteen years ago I visited a Japanese Garden in Cowra, NSW, Australia. I cannot remember if it had a dry zen garden section or not.
I looked through some old photos and came across this photo I took of the garden. Unfortunately, I could not find any photos of a zen dry garden. Unless the white gravel beach across the pond is it.

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Zen_garden_Cowra_NSW.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Zen_garden_Cowra_NSW.jpg.html)

[Adrienne]

Here are photographs taken from a nearby river bed at low tide. It just looks like a zen garden.

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Naturalzengardens_1.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Naturalzengardens_1.jpg.html)
The water currents of the rising and receding tides carve troughs into the sand.
There seems to be a seagull enjoying a standing zen meditation. :icon_rolleyes:



Natures Natural Zen Gardens, very nice !

[Adrienne]

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Minizegarden_3-1.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Minizegarden_3-1.jpg.html)

In this one the stone to the right reminds me of a shark's fin, like a shark in pursuit of the whale in front of him .

[Visitor]

Hello Dream Angel.

That is possible.
I too have thought of that, as well as many more pleasant possibilities.

Once I was snorkeling off the coast. I came to the surface to check my position from the headlands. I saw this fin circling me. I freaked right-out.
In Australia we have many man eating sharks. It took my a lot of courage to duck underwater to face my 'shark'.
What a relief it was to see a dolphin instead.

[guthrio]

This thread is so inspiring ! Thought I'd contribute another example of such intimate grandeur as well....albeit "mini" from a different perspective. Enjoy!

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap101209.html

[Visitor]

Hello guthrio.

Cosmic zen garden.
I love astronomy. Thanks for the link. I have bookmarked it.

[Visitor]

I came across this image on the Internet.

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o618/photomaniac7/VISITOR/Crabs.jpg (http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/photomaniac7/media/VISITOR/Crabs.jpg.html)

http://hilarious-pictures.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/crabs-build-their-own-galaxy.html

[Gem]

Not exactly Zen, and huge rather than mini, but it is still raking the sand.





http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfXupHOEhH0/S_eXhg7YTuI/AAAAAAAARUU/hw4Gz3BBZh8/s640/sand-art-1.jpg

[Visitor]

Gem, that is awesome!

From the photo (top left and bottom left), it looks like they are still working on it. Also, if I am correct, the tide is coming in on the top right, to wash it all away - a true zen approach to creativity without claiming it for self.

Well, that is how I see this photo.

[Gem]

Gem, that is awesome!

From the photo (top left and bottom left), it looks like they are still working on it. Also, if I am correct, the tide is coming in on the top right, to wash it all away - a true zen approach to creativity without claiming it for self.

Well, that is how I see this photo.

Yes, an impermanent art form, created with a lot of effort, but tomorrow it's gone, and a new blank canvas lies in its place.