So I decided to visit the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden located in Mill Neck, Long Island, which is a bit of a drive from my home. I have to admit, I would not have gone but for the fact this place is closing its doors for the last time to the public. I thought I need to go visit and show the world what a lovely place this is. I left my house alone, not able to muster any companions, and got onto the LI Expressway which nowadays is very busy. While on the expressway I got cut off, I cut off some irate woman, all the usual stuff on this super highway that has grown massively congested within the last couple of decades (sprawl builders keep building away). I got off the expressway and followed the conga line down 107 into Old Brookville and turned onto Hegemans Lane and then Chicken Valley Road all the way up to where I thought the Garden should be. I of course drive by it and stop to ask someone who was blowing their leaves for directions. Turns out I just passed it by half a mile or so. I turned around and found the Garden with some trouble only to find the gates to the place closed. Well this isn't going so well I thought to myself, the web site said open at 10:30 and here it is after 11:00 am and no one in sight. Maybe I'm at the wrong place? I decided to drive around to find the "real" entry and nothing. I go back to the still closed gates. I walk over to the gate and call the number on the sign and reach the answering machine of a wrong number. OK now my negativity is getting the best of me-why did I come, it was a long frustrating drive, why waste my Saturday morning like this when I have so much to do, who the hell reads my blog anyway....OK relax maybe the place opens at 11:30 am, let's wait. 11:30 comes around and the gates are still closed! Now I am pissed-this wild goose chase has left a bad taste in my mouth! I jumped back in my car and thought surely I'm in the wrong place. I drive out and make a left back onto Chicken Valley, then another left at the nearest cross street, make another left and then another left into a park like area and ask a hippy looking dude, who seemed to be in a unique state of mind, "can you tell me where the Japanese Garden is located?" Sure he says, "make a right out of the lot then another right and another right, you can't miss it" I knew exactly the awful deal. THIS is the last straw. I will drive back to the same spot and take a last look. So off I go again back to where I was just at and viola the gates were open-I drove in like I was driving into heaven, it felt wonderful.
There was the caretaker busily freshening up the place as she watched me park my car. I was the only car in the lot and the only person besides herself. "Welcome" she said, "and what brings you here to this wonderful garden this morning?" I told her (not about my inglorious road adventure) that I wanted to see the place before it closed. Ironically and without telling her about my morning adventure, she, Mary, told me about the garden and it's purpose for cleansing negativity away, a stroll designed to be a walking meditation. Her final words to me were you bring in all your troubles and worries into the garden and leave them there. She also gave me a breif history and description of the place.
The garden was beautiful of course and some great time was had with master Japanese flute player Daniel Nyohaku Soergel who played "Shakuhachi" at this "Closing Weekend" in the ceremonial Tea house. From the steps of the Tea House Daniel described to those listening, about the Japanese flute and how they are made, how sound is produced in them etc. He also spoke about being in the moment, a Zen Buddhist's philosophy or better yet a way of living. He told us of becoming so in the moment it's like being in and out of consciousness; Your attention is focused on one thing not for long, as you fall between states of "Walking unconsciousness". I still remember his words after playing a tune, "Worry, what worry?" It worked for me, and apparently others. As I was sitting on the steps of the Tea House listening to Daniel play a peaceful mysterious piece on the flute, I looked over and spotted a kid, Caucasian-Asian mix, who had to be maybe 10 years old or so in meditation, sitting with closed eyes and finger tips touching in that classic meditative pose, just being there-I was impressed.
One last thought about the day; As I drove on the congested roadways along side thousands of fellow citizens on my way to the Garden I realized no one cares about this wonderful place. I thought the Garden would be jam packed on this last "Closing Weekend" but sadly no, a hand full of people were to be found there. Maybe I'm too critical of people; Maybe it's tough to be in the contemplative, worthy cause arena, trust me I know from my experience with this blog. It bothers me that society praises popular culture which leaves out worthy places such as this Garden....On reflection maybe I did not leave all my negativity in the garden.
Brief History of Garden (From Garden Guide): This special garden was created by Ambassador and Mrs. John P. Humes following a visit to Japan in 1960. Later that year, inspired by their visit, Ambassador Humes purchased the Tea House that still stands in the garden and hired a Japanese-American landscape gardener, Douglas Defaya, and his wife , Joan. Over the next four years the DeFayas transformed two acres of rolling woodland on Long Island's North Shore into an exceptional Japanese stroll garden.
Martha at the John P. Humes Stroll Garden
Some pics I took during my visit:
Some more pics...
