I am finding a little more time to return to Ciao after a long absence. Will try and catch up with o...
I am finding a little more time to return to Ciao after a long absence. Will try and catch up with old friends. As to the writing side of things... well, I have few things to write about.. Now it's just a matter of finding the time... Derek
Member since:26.04.2005
Reviews:78
Members who trust:91
If you like the tranquillity of Japanese gardens, the Japanese Zen Garden, situated in the village of St. Mawgan, nr Newqay is the place to visit. Having been a Zen practitioner for the past 25 years, I found this garden exudes a peace and tranquillity that usually takes an hour of zazen (Zen meditation aimed at stilling the mind, transcending the "chattering mind", and becoming at-one with the self) to produce.
The layout of plants, rocks and various interesting water features interspersed tastefully with statuettes of Buddha and traditional Japanese pagodas, really helps the visitor to just "be" in the present moment leaving behind the stresses and strains of everyday life.
The Zen garden itself, a "sea" of stone chippings that flow around larger rocks, is particularly attractive to those of us who like to focus their mind in the Zen Buddhist tradition. The raking of the chippings is done every day with a spirit of mindfulness and I could not help but "tune" in to the peace and tranquillity created there.
Zen is about mindfulness and transcending one's karmic ties, to realise at-one-ment with all there is. But the rewards of Zen practice cannot really be defined, as words are inadequate. Zen is a path to the experience of spiritual awareness and not a philosophy or particular religion, and this garden has truly captured its essence.
Some of the other attractions of this garden is the walk-through bamboo grove, with a quaint water feature used out of bamboo, the sound of which seems to penetrate the mind as the other sounds of birds and nature go to the periphery of one's awareness.
Then there's a larger pond, occupied by golden carp that can be viewed from a small pagoda and a typical Japanese bridge.
Constantly, walking through this garden, I found myself, drifting into a meditative state - which is exactly what a Zen garden is supposed to do. The owner is to be congratulated in presenting a wonderful space of Zen Buddhism to this part of the world. A space in which the visitor has the opportunity to realise Zen in his or her own way.
Visitors can also buy plants like bonsai trees, bamboo etc in the garden shop.
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this sounds like a beautiful relaxing area. im such a stressed person i would love to follow a tranquil practise and this garden sounds beautiful to de-stress. a good review too! :) x
baby_uk 22.09.2005 16:16
It sounds like a wonderful place to visit x
L0BSTER_QUADRILLE 17.07.2005 23:14
I'd V much like to visit here - I wonder how far it is from me.
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![Treat Her japanese zen garden [Set of 1 & 2 holders]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/72148517.jpg "Treat Her japanese zen garden [Set of 1 & 2 holders]")
May 2nd, 2005
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