It’s the second day of cultivating the mindful garden. The space has been ignored for many years. Today, I’m going to attend to the western entrance while keeping some design goals in mind.

Design Mission

Cultivate a garden that offers affordances for walking meditation, seated meditation, yoga, and social connection.

Design Goals and Requirements

Goal 1: Facilitate Ambulatory Mindfulness Practices

The garden will encourage ambulatory mindfulness practices such as walking meditations and yoga.

Requirement 1.1

The main path should be easy for one person to walk with a width of no less than 2 feet.

Requirement 1.2

Some sections should take slightly more attention to navigate; therefore, some form of obstacle or choice should be included along the walking path.

Requirement 1.3

At least one spot along the walking path should provide shade.

Requirement 1.4

A space for yoga should accommodate at least two yoga mats.

Requirement 1.5

The yoga area should be flat and elevated from the ground to avoid moisture.

Requirement 1.6

The garden will feature at least one ‘side path’ or alternative route from the main path.

Goal 2: Support Stationary Mindfulness Practices

The garden will feature an area for seated meditation.

Requirement 2.1

Partial shade should be included in the seated meditation area.

Requirement 2.2

The seated meditation area should easily accommodate two seated individuals.

Requirement 2.3

The seated meditation area should feature some element of visual interest in the direction the meditator is most likely face.

Goal 3: Social Affordances

The garden will feature an area for seated socializing.

Requirement 3.1

The social area should comfortably accommodate 6 lawn chairs arranged in a circle.

Requirement 3.2

The social area should be easily accessed from the western entrance of the garden.

Requirement 3.3

The social area should offer partial shade near sunset.

I will discover new design goals as I go.

JDF