Meditation Gardens in an Enchanted Setting
by
Ravena Ial
It began as a vegetable garden. A plot too small and really too
shaded to grow anything of value, but I had tended it with care. “If
you’re going to have a garden,” my husband said, “it needs to be in
full sun.” So we moved the vegetable garden to a larger, sunnier
area of the yard, and I was left with my tiny corner to once again
find a way to bring it to life. Although I live in the southwest, I
have always fancied the book, “The Secret Garden,” and it was then
that I realized this little place would make the perfect secret
garden, a place for quiet reflection, meditation and yoga.
Located in the back corner of our yard, in an area not more than ten
by twelve feet, it was already secluded just enough to make me think
that maybe this idea could work. Already enclosed on two sides by
cyclone fencing, my husband (who doubles as my hired hand), completed the enclosure
with a small rustic picket fence. In the back center, he built a
beautiful arbor of cedar using posts and lattice. Climbing sunset
colored roses were planted on each side. A cement bench was placed
within. More lattice was placed upon the cyclone fencing to create
more privacy without completely obstructing the view beyond, while
vines of trailing Texas honeysuckle were planted along the fencing
to intertwine in the lattice. Along the picket sides, English Ivy
and blue Morning Glories completed the privacy for the enclosure. A
yellow rose bush sits beneath them, a reminder of my Texas heritage.
Red brick tiles in large squares were laid in an eight by six
pattern beginning just below the cement bench and extending outward,
the perfect place for yoga, and in season lovely pots of geraniums
line its edges, bursting in color.
In an east-meets-west theme to accompany my broadened spiritual
perspectives, Mary was placed at the foot of the tiles, while Buddha
watches silently from the southwest corner near the gate. Red
Dianthus grow at Mary’s feet as jasmine winds its way across the
ground. A birdbath stands in the northeast corner, to become the
source of wet serenity for the beautiful doves wishing to escape the
chaos of passers-by and unrelenting dogs. A totem made from an old
railroad tie stands sentry over all in reverence to nature and
beliefs influenced by the Native Americans. A large river-stone
covers the spot where our beloved cat Baghera rests eternally. Just
to the east side of the picket fence, is a pond and rustic
mill-house waterfall, gracefully cascading with the murmur of
nature’s song; the perfect accompaniment for hypnotic meditation.
Ivy leaves were stenciled on the exterior wooden slats, a homemade
sign with ravens on each side reads, Welcome to my Garden,
and as the gate opens, a tiny bell hangs tinkling from it to alert
the faeries that indeed someone has entered the secret garden.
Below are some beautiful ideas for your own enchanted garden in New
Mexico or wherever you may be:
Photos - Staff
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