Zen gardens are havens for contemplation, reflecting the beauty of nature and the aesthetic sense of the gardener. Some represent vast landscapes in a small area, some use raked gravel to represent rushing water, while others feature natural stones signifying symbolic animals such as turtles and cranes. Zen Gardening also provide an ecofriendly alternative to the old-fashioned lawn -- they require little or no water, while the use of fertilizers and pesticides is anathema to the spirit of the Zen garden.With its practical advice on plant selection, and numerous examples of how modern gardens are transformed into beautiful, harmonious refuges, Zen Gardening places every aspect of creating a Zen garden at the hands of today"s gardeners. This unique book simplifies the complex principes adopted centuries ago by Buddhist monks, explores their aims in creating outdoor spaces along Zen principles, and reveals the meaning of the different elements and their juxtaposition. Gardeners will learn to create a controlled and harmonious environment -- and, in the process, to nourish the spirit and allow anxiety to gently subside, making room for quiet reflection.