How to Create a Meditation Garden

What is a Meditation Garden, and Why Do I Need One?

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to meditate more often. I started meditating 3 years ago, but early last year my practice really took off. I meditated 40 days straight in December 2018 and January 2019. However, my practice started to slip in late June, and, as a result, I ran myself down. I knew I wanted to be more productive, and I didn’t understand why I wasn’t achieving more. I beat myself up for not doing enough and not getting enough done. I was wasting valuable time and energy on negative thoughts. I realized, when I was meditating regularly, I had a greater sense of inner balance — and was less inclined to listen to my inner critic. 

These things ebb and flow. I know that at times I will be inspired to meditate and look inward. Other times I will be energized to take physical action and make things happen. I am working on finding a balance between the two. As always, this is an ever-changing process.

But, I also know, the more you practice, the easier meditation becomes. Besides trying to work meditation time, which can be as short as five minutes, into your daily routine, having a dedicated space in your home or garden makes practicing more accessible. Having an area where you can relax and be undisturbed for some time, a sanctuary for the body, the mind, and the spirit, can inspire connection and tranquility.

I love outdoor meditation gardens and, as a landscape designer, I also love creating calming garden designs. Do you feel a little sanctuary would benefit you? Maybe you are picturing a small garden where you can sit and quietly enjoy a cup of coffee or close your eyes for a restful nap. Or maybe you’d like a retreat for your family and friends, that’s also a haven for bees, butterflies and native plants. No matter your vision, read on for inspiration and tips on how to design a calming meditation garden of your own.

How to Create a Calming Garden-Outdoor Meditation Garden Design Ideas

The first step to envisioning a meditation garden is to create a list of relaxing landscape ideas. Here are some key points to contemplate when planning your outdoor retreat, starting with the big picture considerations.

Outdoor Meditation Garden Design Ideas-Big Picture Items

Size and Shape of the Garden and Main Sitting Area

Do you want to create a small meditation garden to enjoy by yourself? Or do you want to be able to host more people in your meditation space? How big is the area is available to you? A small meditation garden is just as effective as a larger one, so work with what you have!

What shape do you want your sitting area and garden to be? Is there a pattern that inspires, energizes, or calms you? Is there a shape that is spiritually significant? Is there a layout that ties in with the look of your house or feel of the garden? Perhaps you would like to off-set or soften the lines of your house. Start with what feels right, or look at some examples and see what sparks your interest!

Materials

Start by planning the focal point of your garden, the sitting area. When you visualize that space what does it look like? Does it have a polished finish with intricate details, or is it simple and natural like leaves on the forest floor? How does it feel underfoot when walking? How about when you are sitting on the finished surface? Is the surface warm or cool? 

Then think about which materials would be ideal for the sitting areas, paths, and surrounding ground cover in your calming garden. Consider what materials are already available on your site or in your local area, as well as what materials tie your landscape into nearby natural areas.

Do any of the materials in these calming garden designs speak to you?

Location

The case for keeping the meditation garden close to the home:

If you put the area close to the home, you will see it regularly. This might inspire you to meditate more often, as it serves as a consistent physical reminder to pause. Easy access also allows you to pop out for a quick session — and easily carry a cup of tea to your relaxation spot.

The case for placing your meditation garden further away from the home:

If the mediation spot is further from the home, it will draw you out into your landscape. This encourages solitude, silence, and connection with nature. Areas further from the home provide a retreat from technology and other distractions. The soothing sounds of nature may also be more pronounced in areas further from the home.

Sun Conditions, Wind, and Weather Sectors

What are the sun and weather conditions in your ideal location? Do you want a space that is sunny in the morning and shady in the afternoon? Maybe an area that is shady in the summer and sunny in the winter?

Ideally, you want to choose a site sheltered from strong winds and other harsh elements of nature, as these may create discomfort and distraction. But you also want to embrace spaces that have positive natural elements, such as a cool breeze on a warm day. Make sure to consider what weather patterns exist on your property. Do you have a lot of rain in your area? Consider a covered area to enjoy the sound of the rain. Do you experience frequent flooding? Don’t put your meditation garden in a swampy spot!

Sounds

Which sounds on your property would like to hear more frequently? What noises would you like to avoid? If your neighbor’s AC unit is loud and bothersome, don’t put your garden right next to it. Think of where you can best welcome the sounds of nature, like leaves rustling in the wind, birds singing, bees buzzing, or cascading water. Pay attention to the noises in and around your space, and locate your meditation garden accordingly.

Sights

Next, consider what you want to see when you relax in your space. You can think about what already provides beauty and inspires tranquility in your space. Consider colorful perennial and vegetable gardens, your favorite trees or plants, garden statues, stone work, water features, or a lovely vista. Or it could be even simpler. For example, do you want to see the shadows of leaves on the back of your eyelids when they are closed? Then place your garden under a tree.

If you don’t have an existing view in your garden, create one! These solutions can be simple. Want to see a colorful perennial border, but don’t have the space or time to maintain it? Plant a small pot full of colorful annual plants. Don’t have a sweeping view of a river? Consider a simple, pondless water feature. Any idea is scalable, and any reminder or small touch of beauty can inspire gratitude. You don’t have to go big, just be intentional.

Outdoor Meditation Garden Design Ideas-Details

Now that you have thought about the big picture items for your meditation garden, let’s consider the finer details, the elements that will personalize your space and make it unique. Here are some ideas for how to make this space your own, that you can modify to fit your taste, style, and vision.

Plants

Consider the effects of sight and sound. Would you like to design a garden full of different foliage colors and textures? Do you want to see a lot of vibrant colors? Or maybe you would like a native garden full of low maintenance plants from your area. If you like the sound of birds and bees, consider planting a pollinator garden that will attract hummingbirds, butterflies, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects. Perhaps the sound of ornamental grasses or aspen leaves in the wind soothes you. If you plant what you love, you will create a beautiful space no matter the size or other limitations. Make sure you take the seasons into account as well.

Statues and Art

There are endless possibilities for art and statues in your garden. Find something that excites you and find a place for it. A large piece can be a focal point for your design, or you can place several smaller artistic elements throughout the area. 

Consider Not Changing Anything

Perhaps you want to let mother nature do her thing. If you have an area that is already peaceful and natural, you might not need to do much to make it a sanctuary. You can easily throw a blanket under your favorite tree and enjoy nature as it is. So don’t over complicate things when the goal is to get out and enjoy your space. No need to change something that is already working!  

Material Reminders of Your Spiritual Journey

Put material reminders of your personal journey in your garden to prompt consideration of more abstract ideas and larger motivations for practice. These objects or design features can be small or large. 

A few ideas of physical objects that can represent the intangible include:

• Herb gardens to symbolize wellness. This could be as simple as a single chamomile plant that symbolizes tranquility.
• Plants that remind you of loved ones, or of certain times and places in your life. For example, your mother loves roses. Plant the most fragrant one you can find as a reminder of her.
• Vegetable gardens to represent the Earth’s abundance.
• Wind chimes to remind you that things are always changing.
• A candle to symbolize a guiding light.
• Singing bowls prompting you to be present.

There are as many options as there are ideas. Anything can serve as a reminder of your inward journey. Place elements in your meditation garden that will serve as a catalyst for peace and reflection.

Outdoor Mediation Garden Ideas-100 Square Foot Garden Design Example

I created a small meditation garden plan to serve as inspiration for your design. If you would like to receive high-definition PDFs of the designs via email please click the link below. By doing so you will also receive updates when new landscape design tips, garden advice, and sample plans become available.

Now It’s Time to Design Your Perfect Meditation Garden!

Use these ideas and the design example as a guideline to get started on your meditation garden plan. Remember to make your space unique to your journey, and don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.

If you get stuck or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
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