It was during our initial meeting and video interview that I learned that over the course of more than a dozen years, Pat had been creating a meditation garden in her backyard. It all began one year when her husband suffered some back problems and complications associated with them, and she wanted a clear a space in the woods in her back yard to practice Tai Chi.
Over the years, little by little, Pat relocated pine trees and rocks from other areas of the woods and she brought in new plants like a bamboo tree, a twisted pine, plants from friends, and clippings from the yard that happily planted roots in their new home under the forest canopy. She even created a mossy carpet by planting plugs of moss that spread and covered the forest floor. These days, Pat sits out on the bamboo bench with her dogs and reads or enjoys a cup of tea. You can see her garden in the video below:
At one of the entrances to the garden, Pat built a fishpond with several fish, including a coy that’s survived through many winters in its home and that has grown quite large. The pond was once a breakfast stop for a Blue Heron; however, now, a replica stands watch at a number of locations to keep the large birds from stopping by for a meal.
The sound of the water traveling into a smaller pond inside the garden to a smaller pond where a resident frog likes to hang out adds a soothing quality to the tranquil surroundings. I strongly believe in the healing power of the energetic life force generated by the Earth and the trees and they provide the most beneficial atmosphere to escape from the stress of everyday life and decompress. This is why I wanted to share Pat’s garden with you–and so did she. Because it’s a place to quiet and cleanse the mind, calm the body, and rejuvenate the spirit.
It’s so important for each of us to find our own version of Pat’s meditation garden where we can regularly hide out. For me, it's sitting on the back porch, either early in the morning, or later in the day when it's shaded, with an inspirational book. For you, it may be napping in a hammock, reading a book at a local park, a walk, or strolling along quiet beach. Whatever it is, it’s equally as important as a healthy diet to staying healthy, strong, focused, and calm.
What is this place for you?
