Earth Mother News

The Spiritual Garden

Zen is the often used word to denote the zone of reality within the Buddhist belief system.  Zen has also taken many other functional meanings; you will hear something described as the Zen of; coolness or beauty.  I just thought, as I decided to write about development of a spiritual garden, that I ought to look up the meaning of the word Zen in my big blue Webster's world dictionary. "A Japanese Buddhist sect that seeks understanding of reality not in traditional scripture but through deep thought that makes no use of reasoning or study."  I'll be darned, hit that one on the head.

What is a spiritual garden?  My guess, it is a quiet thoughtful setting where the mind is free to search.  Not for solutions to problems, but for repose or respite - mental internal rest.  Calm. Mmmmmmm.  Close your eyes and come with me.  Hmmmm.  Let your senses be your leader.

I have a small redwood bench that belonged to a long gone patio table.  The bench sits under the big white pine trees in the back of the garden.  Wind chimes and a little pottery bird house hang nearby.  When I need a little Zen time, you'll find me there.  The wind speaks through the chimes, the fragrance of the pine needles under foot, and the songs of the birds.  What I decided that I really, really need is the sound of flowing water to complete this cycle.  I have a small pond that is a water source for the creature of the backyard.  A fountain?  A pool with a bubbler?  I guess I need to take a serious venture to the public library for a few books on the subject.  To be continued...

I went to the library but came home with books about the US Virgin islands instead.  I decided I ought to Zen beside the Caribbean sea, warm white sand beneath my feet, warm tropical breezes and of course, a large fruity rum cooler.  Hmmm.... Any garden can become a spiritual garden by virtue of the individual seeking solitude.  I picked up a magazine that had an article (for inspiration) about spiritual gardens and do you think I can find it?  Those persons who know me would not be surprised.  I am the perfect candidate for the HGTV show Mission Organization. The magazine I did find is my copy of the Outdoor Living Martha Stewart special issue that I brought my last stop at Borders books.  207 things to eat and drink, plant, make, and savor.  I might not be so helpful with ideas but Martha is never short of them.  Hmmmm....

I have been to the Kmart and Wal-Mart to look for seeds.  The displays are just being put up.  The flowers pots and other garden things not ready yet either.  I decided that I must be jumping the gun a bit.  People that start plants need to get going by the middle of March to be ready for planting here in Wisconsin.  Myself, I gave up trying to start tomatoes and such long ago.  My daughter Pam has a good sunny spot to start plants and does so nicely for her Mom.

Inspiration Garden - the photo of the Japanese Garden at Butchart Garden, Victoria British Columbia.

County B
Platteville, WI. 53818