Tuesday

Valentine Flowers – Ikebana Style

by Karme Choling blogger, Anne-Marie Keppel

Don’t order flowers for your loved one this Valentine’s Day. Instead, make your gift more intimate by creating an Ikebana arrangement!

Ikebana, traditional Japanese flower arrangement, has its origins in the Shinto tradition where arrangements are a part of shrine offerings. What sets ikebana apart is the asymmetry in design – open spaces create harmony between the flower stems and the container.

This contemplative art form is meant to bring beauty, vividness, and wisdom into our lives and environment. The practice of ikebana, combined with contemplative meditation, is art in action. Although this is a very specific practice, you can try your hand at it with some beginner instructions (if you cannot attend an ikebana class or find a friend to help you before Valentine’s Day). Simple instructions can be found at: Ikebana Instructions eHow.com

For more information on other Shambhala Arts visit: Shambhala Arts

*Karme Choling will be hosting Shambhala Art this April 6-13 with Acharya Arawana Hayashi and Laura Simms.

To read more about the doings and goings on at Karme Choling, visit their blog by clicking here.