5 Zen Images of the Famed Golden Door to Help You Relax

Take a mindful break to restore your equilibrium with 5 Zen images from Golden Door. Life is good!

In Japan, when staying at a temple or tradtional inn called a ryokan,  it is traditional to welcome guests with tea and a snack.  Imagine the smell of piping hot tea and the warm feeling of the cup in your hand. Take a moment to gaze at the beautiful flowers in the brass bowl and enjoy this moment in your life. Breath in and exhale. Take a sip of life!

Upon arrival at Golden Door, I was greeted with hot tea and a ginger cookie. I was also presented with a menu and asked to select my choice for dinner and breakfast. 

The Golden Door's Japanese gardens are a feast for the eyes, especially with the low-lighting during the winter months that cast long shadows and filter light through leaves.  Can you see the big Japanese bell in the wooden frame behind the picture? Imagine in ring and the strong vibration it creates. Ringing it seven times at Golden Door signifies to the guest it is time to gather for dinner. 

The long wooden walkways provide ample opportunities for admiring the rustic gardens. The one above features a dry stream and Japanese sculptures. Serene and relaxing, traditional Japanese gardens highlight the natural landscape and avoid artificial ornamentation.  Natural, aged and worn materials are used to express the passing of time and its unstoppable advance. To grow old is beautiful!

There are more than 600 acres of nature to explore at your own pace. I found myself chasing light as the day was coming to an early close in December. This view is of the Tori Gate leading to the Bamboo Forest.  Tori Gates in Japan are typically found at the entrance of a Shinto shrine and symbolicalize  the transition to the sacred.

My first international trip was when I was 17 years old, when I stayed with a host family in Tokyo.  Visiting Golden Door brought back my love of Japanese culture and aesthetics. 

• There's more to come on my stay at Golden Door. This was my first visit and I'll be returning in the next couple months and reporting back in depth on my first-hand impressions and experiences.
• If you have questions about Golden Door or have comments to add, please do - in the comments section below.