The Meditation Alcoves

The wall that encompasses of the Sanctuary is a marvelous construction of alternating green marble and clear glass sections. Thick glass bricks allow sunlight to enter the Garden, but distort light enough so that you cannot see through them. The marble wall sections are invariably shaded by trees planted in front of them. The effect when seen from even a short distance away is of a perimeter of glass and tree -- giving the entire area the look of being open to the outside.

Exploring around the perimeter you find the shadows playing on the dark marble sections hide entrances to private alcoves. Within each marble wall section there is an Alcove. Each small archway opens to a marvelous cylindrical room built of marble and stained glass. From outside the Temple each Alcove looks to be a gigantic grecian column of green marble.

Some of the Alcoves are unfinished.

The interior of each finished Alcove pays homage to one kind of flower. Sunlight, or starlight, flows in from a glass dome high atop the Alcove. Mirrors of all shapes and sizes hang on the circular wall at all heights, reflecting light throughout. Each mirror obviously made special for the Alcove because the curved back of each fits snugly into the contour of the wall.

Thickly fringed throw-rugs lie scattered upon the floors. A comfortably cushioned and luxuriantly pillowed bench circles the room. Large white candles sit in specially made candleholders in the arms that intersect the circle of the bench at regular intervals. If it is night-time they are lit, softly throwing their light to the mirrors to fill the room.

Flower-pots of all sizes and descriptions populate the Alcove. They hang from hooks, sit on shelves and stand all around the floor. Glass prisms and pendants peek out from the leaves, sprinkling precious rainbows of light here and there. Tiny figurines of silver, gold, glass, amethyst and multi-colored rare woods -- fairie-folk of all descriptions -- play in and among the flowers. A flower-draped, carved ash and silver pedestal quietly occupies the center.

In each meditation hideaway you find a scroll on the pedestal next to an amethyst globe on a silver tripod. The scroll is made of strong papyrus and is tied with a purple silk ribbon. You take the scroll and bring it to the bench with you. Adjusting the cushions and pillows you sit.

Relax.

You settle in and look around.

You gather the Alcove around you.

Attune.

Looking at the scroll in your hand you reach to untie the silk strand.

The bow unties with a single movement. You lay the ribbon to the side and unfurl the scroll.

Read.

Thinking, you read the words again.

Comprehend.

Read the thoughts.

Read the feelings.

Meditate.