Zen Garden
Suggested Group(s): Young, Middle, Teen, Adult
Purpose: To allow the children, teens, or adults to discuss the concept of peace and promote relaxation
Task/Need: Relate the loss to a context of meaning, living on the grief spiral
Activity Setup Ideas:
- Ask the group to think of a peaceful place.
- Discuss what helps them feel relaxed.
Materials:
- Shoe box lids/candy boxes/pre-made wooden boxes
- Sand/rice
- Pebbles, small rocks, and/or glass gems
- Comb, mini rake, chopsticks, or bamboo stick
- Fake/real moss, bridge (optional)
- Small container — about the size of a tea light candle holder (optional)
Description: Have the materials set out on the table ahead of time. Tell the group that they are going to make a Zen garden and explain that a Zen garden is a peaceful place. Ask them to think about what materials help them feel relaxed so they can place them in their garden. Have the group decorate their box then instruct them to pour the sand into the shoebox lid and level it out evenly. Then each group member can add the rock (s) in the sand. Add anything else they would like to put into their garden (moss, bridge, etc.). Use the mini rake or comb to have group members make patterns in the sand. If they have the water container they can place it in the garden and add the water.
Activity Wrap Up Ideas:
- Ask group members what it was like to make patterns in the sand
- Discuss the process of making the Zen garden. Was it relaxing?
- Invite group members to share other ways they relax or cope with stress
- Talk about what group members will do with their Zen gardens. Where will they display them? How will they use them outside of the Caring Place?
Adaptations:
- Have the group work together as a team to make a Zen Garden for their group to keep at the Highmark Caring Place.
- Use rice instead of sand and add glass gems instead of rocks.
