Learn a Beginning Sand Tray Therapy Zen Garden Technique

by Sand Tray Therapist
(Stockbridge, Ga)

Creating my own sand tray therapy zen garden was a new experience for me. Before actually trying to set up my own zen garden, I did a little research on Japanese Zen Gardens and their purpose. My own research, coupled with the information we received in sand tray therapy class, helped me to connect better with the experience as well as understand the significance of the experience. I appreciated learning that the purpose of the sand tray therapy zen garden is to bring about meditation, tranquility, and, for me, a way to just tap into your own thoughts and feelings while getting rid of negative emotions.
The objects that I included in my sand tray therapy zen garden were: rocks, a small piece of greenery, a "homemade rake", candle, and I had to draw the sand in my garden which did, in my opinion take away from the overall experience meaning that if I had actually used sand, it would have probably taken the experience of creating the zen garden to a deeper level.
I had most of the materials except for the sand, but as I constructed the garden, I really got into it, and I found myself enjoying it more that I initially thought I would in the beginning. It helped to bring out a little creativity in me, and I really enjoyed that. At the conclusion of this exercise, I can honestly say that it would be nice to have a miniature zen garden at a work desk or set up in my home somewhere so that I can use it for mediation and relaxation.
More importantly, I think that when it comes to creating a safe environment for clients who come in for counseling, making a sand tray therapy zen garden accessible for clients could possibly help to reduce anxiety, nervousness, stress, etc...It is important to think outside of the box at times, and before I would have never thought of including a zen garden in an office, but after going through the experience on my own, I could see myself using it, so I'm sure that there are some clients who would appreciate having permission to rake the sand in a zen garden as they work through their issues. It gives the individual an opportunity to kind of take a "time out" and escape from any overwhelming emotions, so this is something that I would like to include in my own counseling office in the future.

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