The Art of Spiritual Rock Gardening [Paperback]

Donna Schaper (Author), Simon Dorrell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

The Art of Spiritual Rock Gardening is an inspiring and practical guide for both garden lovers and spiritual seekers. The uses of the rock garden as a site of beauty, reflection and spiritual nourishment are many. Building a quiet corner of stones and plants slowly and meditatively over time is its true meaning. Process over product, journey over destination, forever a work in progress-rock is the best metaphor we have of everlastingness.

From choosing the right rocks and plants to weeding and night gardening, this book shows how to start or maintain a rock garden, whether one has access to acres of land in the country or a window shelf in the city. At the same time it describes the sacred meaning of stones and rocks in many of the world's cultures and spiritual traditions, including Stonehenge and Ayers Rock, the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the Ka'ba in Mecca, Japan's Zen gardens, Europe's cathedrals, America's temples and Egypt's pyramids. Both practical and inspirational, it will appeal to everyone who loves gardens, rocks and the transforming power of nature.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...full of spirit, intellect and passion, Donna Schaper takes us with her as she walks and works in her garden." -- Amherst Bulletin

"A great bedside book and a perfect gift book." -- Beatrice Bruteau, author of What We Can Learn from the East

"Donna Schaper skips her stones through historical and horticultural facts, philosophical and human musings in a down-to-earth and lighthearted way." -- Gunilla Norris, author of Being Home and Journeying in Place: Reflections from a Country Garden

"Simon Dorrell is one of England's premier garden painters." -- The Blue Guide to Museums and Galleries of New York

Donna Schaper skips her stones through historical and horticultural facts, philosophical and human musings in a down-to-earth and lighthearted way. -- Gunilla Norris, author of Being Home and Journeying in Place: Reflections from a Country Garden

Essential reading not only for the gardener, but for anyone who sees stones as obstacles rather than vehicles for creativity. -- Jennifer Heath, author of The Echoing Green: The Garden in Myth and Memory

Helped me to understand working in the garden of my soul and next to my house is the same process. -- Tolbert McCarroll, author of Childsong, Monksong and founder of the Starcross Community, California

Her garden meditations surprise, stimulate and sustain us. -- Amherst Bulletin

In her wisdom, she not only points us to rocks, but to Spirit as well. -- Christopher Forrest McDowell and Tricia Clark-McDowell, authors of The Sanctuary Garden

About the Author

Donna E. Schaper lives and gardens in both Massachusetts and Miami. She is the pastor of a Protestant Church in Coral Gables, Florida, mother of three children, and a lover of stones and flowers. Her previous books include Gardening Meditations and Raising Interfaith Children.

Simon Dorrell is a painter, illustrator and designer. He is the art director for Hortus, the international garden journal. He has designed many gardens over the past ten years, his most recent commission being the development of the gardens at Hampton Court, England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: HiddenSpring (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158768005X
• ISBN-13: 978-1587680052
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,001,448 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Donna Schaper is currently Senior Minister of the historic Judson Memorial Church in New York City. Dr. Schaper describes the church as "a gathering place for people who seek spiritual nurture to build public capacity for social change." Among her current projects at Judson are developing an "underground economy" (a safe place for real people in hard times) and building a public ministry training program for future church leaders.

Schaper is the author of numerous books, including When a Parent Dies, Sacred Chow: Some Holy Ways to Eat, and The Art of Spiritual Rock Gardening. Her articles, opinions, blog posts, and essays appear regularly in a diverse mix of media, such as The Huffington Post and The New York Times.

To learn more, visit www.judson.org or www.donnaschaper.org.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rock Solid faith, August 20, 2001

By 

Thomas Cleary (Mineola, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Spiritual Rock Gardening (Paperback)

A great little, easy-to-read book that applies basic gardening techniques to one's spiritual well-being. Whether you are an avid gardener or a beginner, a spiritual person or just trying to improve, this little gem can give you the push in the right direction. Having just finished building a rock garden (using almost 24 tons of rocks!) I was given this book as a gift and truly enjoyed its common sense insights, its brief history of rock-gardeing in the United states, and its practical gardening tips.