Sand Tray Therapy Class --Zen Garden Student #2

by Julie Berger
(Atlanta, GA, USA)

I was excited to create a sand tray therapy zen garden because of its essence of calmness, peacefulness, and happiness. It has the potential to lessen the stressfulness inherent in busy and complex lives. As I considered what materials I would use to create my sand tray therapy zen garden, I chose a rectangular dark tray to place the pure white decorative sand so I would have a stark contrast. I decided that I wanted to use only natural items because I wanted my garden to resemble items in the natural world.

Being in the outdoors brings me joy. Since both the woods and the ocean are relaxing settings for me, I decided to use items from both locations. Sitting at my desk, I noticed two very important items: 1) a rock that I brought back from Israel visiting the place where God told Peter he was the rock on which He would build His church, and 2) a fascinating pine cone that my husband gave me that has a smaller pine cone connected by a twig. I decided these items would provide the main focus along with several sea shells, also significant because I helped collect them with my daughter during a beach trip. I love color so it was important for me to include different hues. I chose to outline my garden with a pathway using small similar-sized stones to increase the meditative quality as well as add dimension because I have always loved paved walkways and cobblestone streets in places where I have traveled.

I love my final sand tray therapy class zen garden and enjoyed taking time to be creative. I tried to make it interesting but also keep it simple. I love designs so enjoyed using a miniature rake to finalize my garden by creating swirling movements. Looking at my Zen garden makes me smile!