9 Places That Might Help You Find a Little Calm

Desperate times call for deep breaths.

by Jonathan Carey, Associate Places Editor

9 Places

No sooner was 2020 in the rearview that 2021 brought fresh reasons to be on edge. There’s still hope on the horizon, though no one’s blaming you if it will take a while to shake the mental cobwebs of the last year and change.

So here are nine places around the world—from gardens to labyrinths to shrines—where one might be able to take a deep breath, refresh, and find an oasis of calm in a world that just can’t seem to let up.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Bamboo Playhouse

A delightful architectural wonder sits on a lake island in Kuala Lumpur’s oldest park. The sustainable playhouse features a three-dimensional floorscape and tree-like columns that rise up to support the roof, offering a playful setting for reflection.

Amber C Snider

Added by Amber C Snider

Los Angeles, California

Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens

This peaceful garden is hidden on the grounds of a spiritual organization founded by a pioneer yogi, just five minutes from downtown Los Angeles.

Meg

Mexico City, Mexico

Franz Mayer Museum Courtyard

In 2004, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, declared this museum courtyard and gardens a “Zone of Peace.”

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Added by linkogecko

Castleton, Vermont

Taconic Mountain Ramble Zen Gardens

This magnificent Japanese garden provides a moment of Zen in rural Vermont. The 204-acre property was a labor of love for Carson “Kit” Davidson, a New Yorker who acquired the property in 1966 and designed the garden.

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Los Angeles, California

Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens

A quiet oasis awaits visitors at this spiritual retreat in the heart of Los Angeles. Visitors will not be bothered and can choose to meditate, read, or simply relax.

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The Grotto Church of Saint Michael

A spiritual sanctuary located in a moss-covered natural cave evokes a strong feeling of spirituality and mysticism.

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Oakland, California

Mazzariello Labyrinth

This large spiral labyrinth in an old quarry is one of many located in the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in the hills between Oakland and Orinda.

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Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard Divinity School Labyrinth

This hidden labyrinth offers walkers some brief peace of mind. According to the plaque, walking the maze serves as a form of pilgrimage.

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Buckingham, Virginia

The Light Of Truth Universal Shrine

The Light Of Truth Universal Shrine is a temple dedicated to interfaith understanding. The building’s unique design and inspiration stem from the vision of Sri Swami Satchidananda, a prominent yogi, and is filled with spiritual symbols.

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Added by nst20906