Composure: Zen Garden – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Ryan Peck
Version #: 1.0 (iPhone OS 3.0 Tested)
Date Released: 2009-09-10
Developer: Composure: Zen Garden
Price: 0.00
User Rating:
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I’m not a Zen master, but I can appreciate the general ideas. I’m not trying to belittle Zen in the slightest; I am merely pointing out that although I have an appreciation for Zen philosophy, my knowledge and experience with Zen is very little.
That being said, I recently tried Composure: Zen Garden and enjoyed it.
The app comes with some relaxing music that plays in the background while you rake the sand and place various color rocks about. You can also stack the rocks, or rake around them. The sound effects for the rake and the rocks are subtle but there. The controls are responsive and makes the experience of using Composure: Zen Garden quite pleasant.
I think the idea is of an actual Zen garden is to focus on the sand, the rocks–the "nothing-ness" and what’s in the nothing-ness. I can’t say I experienced that EXACTLY–but I did find it relaxing just concentrating on raking the sand and placing rocks–stacking them etc. I felt like the garden was a blank slate to let my mind wander rather than a point of meditation (where I concentrate soley and deeply on one thing). I have to admit, though, that Composure: Zen Garden did make me feel less stressed and slightly more relaxed.
Quick Take
Value:Medium
Would I Buy Again:I might--it is relaxing...
Learning Curve:None--you just drag and drop with your finger
Who Is It For:People looking for some inner peace
What I Like:The controls are very reactive and work well
What I Don't Like:The soundtrack can get a bit repetitive at times.
Final Statement:This is a nice app if you are looking for a zen garden on the go. It looks good, it's easy to use, and it works well.
Regain your focus in this calming garden you can groom and design to your liking. Comb through the soothing sand and arrange decorative stones to set your mind at ease. With this garden, you will never be without Composure.
Features:
- Lifelike sand that responds to raking like actual sand
- Several realistic stones in a variety of colors that can be moved, rotated, and resized to fit any design
- Two relaxing music tracks to enhance your gardening experience
