Zen Garden for Beginners - by Alexandra Fleury

Book Synopsis

Create an outdoor haven of peace and tranquility with this beloved Japanese tradition

Whether it's on a small balcony or in your backyard, a Zen garden can beautify your outdoor space and be a deeply meditative practice. Even if you have no experience with Zen or Zen gardening, this book will teach you everything you need to plan, build, maintain, and enjoy a garden of your own. There's no need for special equipment--Zen gardens are created with natural elements like gravel, rocks, stones, and greenery, making them perfect for the beginner and the minimalist alike.

• A holistic approach to Zen--Get an introduction to the background, philosophy, and aesthetic principles of Zen gardening, and find peaceful meditative practices to do in your own space.
• Zen gardening for everyone--Explore a variety of garden designs, both traditional and contemporary, that accommodate a multitude of budgets, space constraints, and garden sizes.
• Instructional illustrations--Discover insightful diagrams that show you how to execute different Zen gardening designs.

Retreat to your own tranquil Japanese rock garden with The Zen Garden for Beginners.

Review Quotes

"Have you ever yearned for your own special place of serenity? Alexandra Fleury's Zen Garden for Beginners is the guide you'll need to create such a place. A longtime Zen practitioner and gardener, Fleury invites you to learn about the aesthetic principles of Zen gardens and shows you how to plan your garden's design, adapting traditional elements to your own space and budget. Following her step-by-step approach, you'll discover that building and caring for your Zen garden will bring spiritual benefits into your everyday life." --Shinge Sherry Chayat, Zen teacher and author

"This exceedingly accessible guide allows you to bring centuries of Zen tradition and the timeless principles of Japanese aesthetics into your own space. Including insights from her own Zen practice, Alexandra shows you how to blend meditation and gardening into a tranquil exploration of creative freedom." --Giun Stefan Streit, resident minister at New York Zendo Shobo-ji

"You don't have to travel to Japan to learn about creating your own Zen garden, right here, in your own space! Read about the underlying wisdom and principles, and learn step by step what is needed for your own creation. Alexandra's competent guidance makes this book a must-have for all aspiring Zen garden creators." --Chigan-kutsu Dokurō Jaeckel, Abbot, Charles River Zen

About the Author

ALEXANDRA FLEURY is a writer, artist, gardener, and devoted Zen practitioner. A former resident of Dai Bosatsu Zendo monastery and current resident of Hoen-ji temple, she spends her time practicing Zen while caring for the temple, land, and community.