Sacred Gardens: Creating a Space for Contemplation and Meditation - Hardcover

From the very first garden, the Garden of Eden, to the ultimate gardens of Paradise, gardens have been seen as sanctuary, sacred space and humanity’s attempt to create paradise on earth. Through colour, form and perfume, the gardener creates a place of refuge, healing and contemplation.

Sacred Gardens describes in detail how to create your own ‘heaven on earth’ in the garden: a place of sanctuary, rest or meditation to enjoy and be at peace in. Sacred Gardens is both practical and informative. Each chapter opens with an introduction to a specific garden style, describing well-known gardens and their qualities. The author follows with a step by step guide to setting up and creating a special garden within a defined area; what plants are needed; what space is required; what basic features the garden needs; what extras such as garden furniture are needed.

CREATING A SPACE FOR CONTEMPLATION AND MEDITATION

Gardening is about taming a smell piece of nature to create our own Paradise. And since we are all different, our ideas of Heaven are all different – hence our garden is never quite the same as anyone else’s.

'Sacred Gardens' is a fascinating exploration of the ways in which different cultures have recreated Heaven on earth their gardens. Fully illustrated throughout, this beautiful book examines both Western and Eastern traditions, looking at the common elements and the differences. With directions and illustrated plans to help you to create your own spiritual garden, 'Sacred Gardens' is an inspiring treasury of gardening wisdom and spiritual reflection.

The first gardens were made around 4,000 years ago, in China. Since then, just about every culture has included gardening among its pleasures. A garden is a partnership with nature, and no garden will thrive unless the gardener respects these natural forces. Whatever your preferred style might be, gardening brings you closer to nature, and therefore closer to your own god.

'Sacred Gardens' looks at seven different kinds of gardens – Taoist, Zen, Islamic, Medieval, Renaissance, English knot gardens, and healing gardens – and explores the spiritual traditions behind each style. Each chapter includes a garden plan and advice on how to recreate a particular style in your own garden.