Something for everyone.
Sometimes when I meet people and invite them to try out the Zenorah®, they get a little stressed. "I'm not good at these things...I don't know how to do it...This looks bad." I try to assure them that whatever they do is fine. That it's all in enjoying the doing. No judgment. No masterpieces required.
And then I remind them that by design, the Zenorah® is not fixed. There is always another design coming. They just need to smooth the sand and start again. Kind of like an Etch-A-Sketch.
There is beauty and a certain amount of release in impermanence. I'm no expert in Zen Buddhism, zen garden design or Japanese culture, but as a person living in the world, I have felt it for a long time without a word to name it. I've thought about it while building sand castles at the beach, watching the movement of light and shadows throughout the day and the changing of the seasons, and in the yellowing of old papers, fraying blue jeans and yes, the Etch-A-Sketch.
Impermanence does not invite perfection; it allows for imperfection. At the same time, it reminds us to appreciate beauty while it is there, because everything is fleeting. So even if you love your Zenorah® design, enjoy it for the evening. There will be a new one tomorrow.
The Zenorah® is built to offer a moment of calm and creativity, slowing things down and adding to the celebration of lighting the Hanukkah candles. No rules. Just some fun, whether by yourself or as an activity for friends and family.
Of course, you don't need to know anything about zen gardens to enjoy your Zenorah®, but if it does spark your curiosity, there is a wonderful world to explore.
Zen garden design has a long and rich history, with meaning, logic and purpose behind the creation of these spaces. Trained designers incorporate aesthetic principles and Buddhist concepts to create gardens that invite reflection. There is so much written on zen garden design, and so many gardens to visit in Japan, in the U.S. and around the world. They are old and new, traditional and modern.
I found a book, Zen Gardens: The Complete Works of Shunmyo Masuno, by Mira Locher, to be particularly enjoyable. Masuno is a Buddhist monk and is considered one of Japan's leading garden designers. The book provides historical context and an easy-to-follow overview of the discipline, not to mention 400 beautiful drawings and photographs that inspire and make you think.
I enjoyed it so much, I bought some copies to share with you.
Enjoy,
Robin