The Zen Practice Of Bonsai.

A bonsai is an expression of the essence and spirit of Nature in miniature form.  
The gardener becomes the artist.  His ever-changing composition, the tree.

The artist and the tree flow together to create the beautiful bonsai, 
a Zen practice that draws one closer to Nature, and ultimately to one's self.

The virtues required for the contemplative act of creating bonsai are called Shin Zen Bi in Japanese, meaning truth, goodness and beauty.

 A bonsai represents heaven and earth in one container. The triangular pattern symbolizes the relationship between the universe, the artist and the tree. The tree in placed to one side of the container, out of respect for the center, which stands for the meeting point of heaven and earth. 

A bonsai that is properly cared for, can live for a hundred years or more.  Some people name them and pass them down for generations.  

Mr. Arigato, my Bonsai.
It's important to select exactly the right tree for you.
Give it time, your tree will find you. 

Once it does, take care to feed it weekly and carefully prune  branches and roots as needed.  

Spend time with your tree each day, contemplating nature and harmony.