Meditation is defined in many ways. According to one of my favorite authors, Eckhart Tolle, one conscious breath can qualify as a meditation.

This news is a huge relief to me because one breath is all I have time for most days.

When the sun and moon are aligned just perfectly, however, I’m handed the unexpected gift of an hour or two to sit, contemplate and connect…. yes, meditate.

Now that I’ve covered the “what” and “when” of meditation, it’s time to discuss the “where”.

Inside, my meditation alter is a small corner of my home office that I’ve claimed as my sacred spot, where crystals are arranged perfectly around books, rosaries, candles and other relics that remind me to connect with all that is higher than me while keeping my feet perfectly grounded to this planet (so many who connect with Spirit forget the “stay grounded” part).

Are all of these objects necessary for me to meditate? Of course not, but I can’t deny the immediate shift in perspective and mood when I sit down in my spiritual spot after a long frantic day. The smell of sandalwood and frankincense trigger a response in brain that reminds it to shut off, which is so necessary in meditation.

This summer evening was a cool 88 degrees in Las Vegas and I couldn’t help taking advantage of it by enjoying some time outside. As I sauntered over to my meditation garden I was struck by how neglected and sad it looked. I’ve spent so much time indoors lately that I’d forgotten how much more connected and spiritual I feel when I take my meditation outside. I wondered if this former outdoor sanctuary in any way reflected a neglected spiritual need within me.

Before throwing away a decaying bouquet of flowers, I pluck off the living buds and toss them in my fountain

Before you write me off as dramatic or crazy, know that I’m already ahead of you in that area, we can agree to agree. The fact of the matter, however, is that your home is your sanctuary. Monks and nuns work tirelessly in the monastery or convent to create purposefully tended outdoor retreats to pray. Why should these spiritual spots and practices be left only to the sequestered divine?

Today, the kids and I have decided to get to work and rebuild our meditation garden. We’re de-spidering (yes, I know that’s not a word), planting, arranging and building. Check back soon for our “after” photos!

Meditation garden collage courtesy of #Muzy

I love my garden statues. I don’t shop for statues the way I would clothing or curtains, rather I let them find me. To steal the phrase from Pier 1, I wait to “find what speaks to me”.

I have a great story about my big angel statue. I was shopping one day at Sam’s Club and saw this statue among other large garden items. They had boxes of them lined up next to each other. I thought it was beautiful. but I just continued on my way shopping.

From my kitchen sink I can see my meditation garden, and that night while washing dishes I looked out at this area and saw this empty spot that made me think of that angel statue. I had never considered placing anything there before, but all of the sudden it looked like it was missing something.

For several following nights, I looked out from my kitchen window and each time I felt like that statue was meant to go there.

I went back to Sam’s Club to find two things. One, there was only one angel statue left in stock. Two, it had been discounted in price to nearly half. Angel and I left Sam’s Club together and every night I see her from my kitchen, and sometimes I sit with her in my garden to meditate.

Love my garden statues

Follow Our Garden Progress on Instagram!

My Instagram feed will, no doubt, be filled with all things “meditation garden” as long as you don’t mind the intermingling of cooking, fashion and wine photos.