15 Relaxing Landscaping Ideas For Creating A Meditation Garden
Published: 20/02/2023 | Updated: 31/05/2023Looking for a way to relax? The best way to do it is by creating your meditation garden.
Meditation gardens are not only beautiful, but they can also be a great way to practice meditation or simply relax and unwind from the busyness of life.
Meditation gardens are perfect for those who want to have a zen experience in their own outdoor space or garden. And the best part is that you can create a meditation garden with simple décor in a small space.
Here's how you can create your beautiful relaxation zone:
What's a meditation garden?
In short, a meditation garden is a space that is intended to be used for meditation practice and yoga. It can be found in religious institutions, retreat centers, homes, and public spaces alike. It may also be used to grow food or provide some other service.
Many different styles of gardens are referred to as “meditation gardens” but they all have one thing in common: they're designed to help you feel serene and relaxed, while you're enjoying nature's beauty.
One of the places that are widely credited for its beautiful meditation garden is the Self Realization Fellowship Temple, Encinitas Hermitage. SRF was founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920 and teaches that meditation, yoga, and prayer are ways to connect with God and Earth.
The organization has several centers around the world where visitors can go to learn more about its teachings, including the Golden Lotus Temple on the south coast highway in Encinitas city.
1. Try Japanese Style Meditation Gardens
If you are looking for a simple, effective way to relax and meditate, consider creating a Japanese-style garden.
Unlike other types of landscapes, Japanese meditation gardens are designed to be serene and calming.
Often they feature a pond or waterfall as well as traditional Japanese plants like bamboo and cherry trees. They can be both large or small; some may even be built inside your home if you live in Japan!
The best part about them is how versatile they can be: depending on what your preferences are, you can choose an aesthetic that feels more Zen-like or more traditionally Asian.
2. Add Some Soothing Water Feature
Something as simple as adding a water feature can make your meditation garden feel more peaceful.
You can use a flowing fountain to create a focal point or simply add some calming sound effects for the birds in the area.
Fountains are an excellent way to create an ambiance of tranquility, but not all fountains are created equally.
For example, if you have kids or pets running around and playing near your fountain, it will be difficult for them to relax and meditate in peace if they're hearing loud splashing noises constantly!
On top of that, some types of fountains don't work well because they require too much maintenance (such as cleaning out algae growth).
Here are some more water features that you can incorporate:
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Koi ponds with some koi fish
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Tier rock waterfall
To achieve maximum relaxation with minimal effort, you should choose a water feature whose design fits well within the space available.
3. Create Green Natural Paths
Paths are an important part of your meditation garden. They should be as natural looking as possible, and wide enough for two people to walk side by side.
To make sure your paths are clear of obstacles and debris, they should also be cleared of plants.
You can use a rake or shovel to remove any plants that are encroaching on the path (this will also help keep down weeds).
If you'd like to plant something around the edge of a path instead of removing it completely, try using ground-cover plants like ivy that have shallow roots and won't get in the way as much when walking along them.
4. Use Some Colorful Rocks
If a garden is going to have rocks, they’re going to need some color. That’s where the idea of having bright, colorful rocks comes in.
You can use them as focal points or as a path that leads up to your meditation area. They can also be used for seating areas if you have enough space available in your yard.
Spread out the colors across different rocks so that they don’t all blend at once. This will make it easier for you when it comes time for maintenance on your garden because then each rock has its unique color scheme and doesn’t clash anymore (which would look bad).
5. Add a Buddha Statue or Other Religious Statues
Buddha statues are an excellent way to add beauty and meaning to a meditation garden. They're also a great way to make sure that you'll never be able to find your car keys again, so keep them out of reach!
Buddha is a symbol of peace and wisdom, as well as compassion. Buddha statues come in many different forms and sizes, so you can find something that fits perfectly into your garden design.
Buddha statues can be found in many different styles and materials; they're also available in many different price ranges (though I'd recommend steering clear of the ones made by monks at the local monastery).
If you want your meditation garden to have an air of serenity about it, adding one or more Buddha statues will help set the tone for relaxation.
While these statues won't help with meditating (I mean unless they do), their presence will still provide some much-needed tranquility for those who choose this path as their practice
6. Add Some Prayer Flags
Prayer flags are a Tibetan Buddhist tradition. These colorful strips of cloth can be found in many meditation gardens, and they're often hung at high places to catch the wind.
Prayer flags have been used since the 11th century as an expression of faith and devotion; they promote peace, harmony, and good fortune.
In addition to being displayed on their own, prayer flags are sometimes strung together with other flags or decorative ribbons from home décor stores.
The main purpose of prayer flags is to promote peace, harmony, and well-being for all beings—and for this reason, you might consider placing them in your garden if you want them to exude those qualities!
7. Decorate Using Wind Chimes
Decorate your meditation garden with wind chimes. Wind chimes are used to calm the mind and create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
They can also be used to enhance the natural sounds of nature such as birdsong or running water, creating a harmonious environment for meditation.
Wind chimes are available in many styles and materials, including glass or metal tubes, bamboo rods, and even seashells. You can hang them up on stands or place them on the ground for a rustic look.
8. Keep Your Meditation Space Intimate and Small
If you're creating a meditation space, don't go overboard. While some people prefer expansive views and lots of open air, the research shows that intimate spaces are better for meditation.
A small area can help create an atmosphere where you feel more connected to your surroundings, which is important for meditating by yourself.
It also helps if it's easy to clean up afterward, so consider choosing a smaller area when landscaping your new garden spot.
9. Create Some Decorations That Lead to a Focal Point
Another thing you should consider when creating your meditation garden is how you want to direct people's attention.
Your goal should be to create a path that leads them down a winding, interesting path. This way, they will have time to stop and enjoy the scenery.
One tip for creating these types of paths is to use different materials in different areas. For example, if you're using wood chips as mulch around some trees in one area of your garden, try using stone pavers instead in another area near another focal point (such as a bench).
You can also incorporate different textures into your walkways by mixing pea gravel with sand or other natural materials like river rock or shells from the beach!
10. Don't Forget Entryway Decorations
The entryway is the perfect place to use plants and flowers. You can make it look even better by adding a bench or chair, which will give your guests somewhere to sit while they wait for you. A mirror also helps make the space look larger than it is, so consider hanging one in front of the door.
Or, if you have room for it and want to add more beauty to your home/meditation garden, consider putting up a statue or other decoration at the entrance of your meditation garden.
11. Attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds to Your Garden
If your garden has space for flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, you'll be treated to a show of color. Butterflies and hummingbirds are naturally attracted to certain plants.
The best way to get them into your yard is by planting the types of plants they are drawn to. Here are some great choices:
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Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
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Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
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Bee Balm (Monarda)
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Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
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Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
In addition to attracting butterflies and hummingbirds, these plants have other benefits. They can attract bees, which helps pollinate your garden. The flowers also provide nectar for birds and beneficial insects like dragonflies and ladybugs that eat pests like aphids.
12. Place a Fire Pit or Chiminea
If you've got a fireplace, great! If not, a fire pit or chiminea might be the way to go. They're both excellent focal points that can help create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort in your garden. You can use your fire pit in several ways:
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To cook food on top of it (with the correct equipment).
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To relax around it—a good example would be relaxing with friends after having some wine or beer by candlelight on a warm summer evening.
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To keep warm when it gets cold outside!
13. Put a Hammock in Your Garden
A hammock is one of the most relaxing things to have in your garden. It's perfect for when you want to sit back and read a book or magazine, or just take a nap. It can also be used as a lounger if you're having friends over for an outdoor party!
Hammocks are great for relaxing, but they're also good for getting some sun. Some people have even been known to keep their hammocks up all year round!
14. Invest in Cozy Outdoor Furniture
You don't have to just sit on a chair or bench when you're outside. You can get yourself some cool furniture that's designed specifically for the garden, like a rocking chair or loveseat. These are great if you want to curl up with your favorite book or magazine and relax in style!
Of course, you can also just get yourself some regular chairs and tables. These are great for having friends over or hosting a party in your garden! You might even want to invest in some outdoor floor lamps so that you can enjoy reading at night without disturbing anyone else who's sleeping.
If you have a pool, then it's a good idea to invest in some outdoor furniture that can be used around it. This will make the most of your space and ensure that you don't have to worry about getting wet when you want to sit down!
15. Add Curving Shapes Like Winding Paths and Elliptical Walls
Curving shapes are a great way to add interest and beauty to your garden. They can be used in a variety of different ways, from paths that meander through your lawn to walls that curve around corners.
A curved wall is also a good idea if you want to create an intimate space for two people—you could even build it on its own so that it doesn't interfere with the rest of your design!
Enjoy Your Own Safe Haven!
So there you have it, our top 15 tips for creating a meditation garden. We hope you’ve found this article to be helpful and enjoyable.
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