Water Gardens in the classroom
temenos building block
" In the garden he wished to create the attitude of a newly-awakened soul still
lingering amid shadowy dreams of the past, yet bathing in the sweet unconsciousness
of the mellow spiritual light, and yearning for the freedom that lay in the expanse
beyond.....zen words "
The sound of water is tranquility in the morning air, a soothing sound that seems to
wash over the soul and bring peace and harmony to those fortunate enough to spend
a moment listening. Caught in the hustle of constantly running from one place to the
next, we fail to stay in one place long enough to "be". We are a society that is doing and
moving from one place to the next and missing the middle which is the space between the
end. It is here in the middle of places that the studio resides. A place of rest from the
maddening hallways of chaos and loud screams. The healing properties of water
are as old as the earth with many stories of water washing away the pain of the journey.
We are born in the primordial waters of life and are sustained floating in the womb.
Water heals and gives birth.
When asked how water feels my students responded; "relaxing, peaceful,serene", "I
feel slow when I listen to the water", "I feel soft when I listen", "There is wonder", and
"I feel enchanted".
During the past couple of years, I have begun to use water to help in creating a sacred place. A place where children and adults can feel safe enough to express the inner
tension that holds them back from truly actualizing who they are. Water and the
sound it creates help bring about good feng shui in a room. Each group I run during
the day begins the same way, a ritual of listening and imaging the water is running
over us. "Close your eyes now and listen to the water, imagine you are in a meadow
by a gently running stream. Allow the water to wash over you, washing away the
stress of the day, soothing your aches, bringing about a renewal". This has been the
ritual to start each group.
There are several ways to implement water into your classroom, studio or home. To
me each of these areas are sacred places to rest, renew, to create and journey.Begin by creating a "magic mister" of rose water. Two drops of the essential oil of
rose in a spray bottle and presto, a magic mister capable of changing the energy of a
toxic environment.
There are only a few basic materials you will need to create a fountain in your
environment:
1. a pump to recirculate the water
2. a container to hold the water
3. a garden in the water to hide the pump.
4. 1/2 inch plastic tubing
Materials:
The pump
I have found that an aquarium pump works best. Name brand MN 606
is strong enough for your portable water garden. You will also need about two feet
of half inch plastic tubing.
The container: The best container as far as esthetics goes is a bonsai container
found at many good nurseries. Another option is using a large plastic plant container.
The garden: Various stones and plants, sometimes using floating cut flowers.
The method of building the fountain:
Place the pump in the container and attach the half inch plastic tubing, about eight
inches. Pile the stones up(blue slate is beautiful or a lava stone). There are two ways
to lay out the stones. The first way involves drilling the stone with a masonry bit. Use
a half drill bit and slowly drill through the stone. The lava stone is very soft and easy
to drill. Slate and other types of stone require great patience. After the stone has been
drilled, put the tubing through the opening until one end is even with the stone and
then attach the other end to the pump. The stone may need to be propped up by other
small stones. Lay the pump on the bottom of the container and fill the container up
with water. Hide the unnatural elements of the water garden and plug in. The pump's force
can be adjusted for a small trickle or a greater fountain look.
There are no set rules to the water garden. I have found that in the tradition of
Japanese gardens, less is more.
I look forward to hearing how water is being used in your setting.
