“Who among us, when walking along the banks of a river or the shores of a sea, is not drawn to collect stones, be they small pebbles, or rocks just withing our carrying capacity. The collecting itself is akin to meditation, for the preoccupations of our busy minds fade away as we focus on distinguishing the minute differences between the stones at our feet. What a moment before was an undifferentiated mass, becomes a community of individuals, each with its own marvelous suchness. Thus begins appreciation.”

Sonja Arntzen, The Japanese Art of Stone Appreciation.

There are many ways of collecting and admiring stones. From a simple collection that is displayed on a window sill or night stand to the ancient Japanese art of Suiseki or the popular Zen rock gardens (outdoor and miniature), stones have been gathered and revered by just about every human culture since the beginning of time.

Many people even believe that stones have the power to heal us. Whatever their appeal, stone collecting is an easy and inexpensive hobby that anyone, young and old, can enjoy.