An extract from Ruth Grosser's book was featured recently in the December 1996 Queensland HOMES magazine

"Heaven, Earth, Man

ASYMMETRICAL TRIANGLE.

"If a man finds himself with bread in both hands, he should exchange one loaf for some flowers; since the loaf feeds the body indeed, but the flower feeds the soul." Anon. Ikebana can be small, simple and exquisite or massive, bold and very theatrical. It can grace a tiny place, on the table or desk, or fill a huge hall, combining light and sound in addition to the mass and form of the flowers and plants that make the spatial composition.

The challenge is to use the materials, the flowers and branches, the containers to express your ideas fully within the space available. The seasons of the year and the occasion also influence the materials used. The ,journey along the Kado, or Road of the Flower, should be a joy for life. Is it really necessary to have everything "just so"?

When you feel there are a dozen things you have to do before you can relax, it may be time to take a cue from the principles of Ikebana. which suggest that it isn't necessary or even desirable to have everything in perfect order. The whole concept of perfection as we think of it doesn't exist in the Buddhist mind. Zen Buddhists see symmetry (the Western ideal of perfection) as being fatal to the imagination and fatal to individual experience. When something is asymmetrical, you have to involve the self - you have to complete the picture in your own mind! Sometimes it may be more interesting to leave things as they are, and appreciate the potential in something incomplete or look at it in a new way, rather than finish it right now. Nature grows in an asymmetrical way.

The word Ikebana means "living flowers" or "bringing flowers to life". The Japanese have a saying, that if we take the life of a flower, we have an obligation to make it look more beautiful. Ikebana is a Philosophy, its essence is a way of life. Our attitude is based upon a way of looking at and living with Nature. Nature may be used, but it is not to be exploited. In some European garden designs, for example, man's hand is the dominating feature. One of the principles of Japanese garden designs and Ikebana is that man plays a small part in the overall design. Heaven, Earth and man combine together to make an asymmetrical triangle. Heaven is the most important element; Earth, the second most important element and man - the smallest part of the asymmetrical triangle ~ but also the most beautiful. Not until after World War lI was it possible to learn Ikebana. In the past men have dominated. Buddhist monks, Samurai warriors and male teachers controlled the knowledge for hundreds of years. Many men still learn Ikebana People enjoy learning Ikebana because it is very relaxing and because of their great love of nature. We have always been interested in making our homes and living environments more attractive. Even in ancient Egypt, the remains of flowers in vases have been found. Why has Ikebana grown in popularity in the West? Why has it spread to so many countries and why does it appeal to so many differing types of people? In a world where stress levels seem to be increasing, our heart rate and blood pressures can be lowered by practising lkebana. The involvement with lkebana is good for you physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.

Another reason Ikebana has grown so much in popularity in the West (besides its comparatively recent introduction) is that there is a basic economy of materials used. We no longer have the money to spend on enormous amounts of flowers. We don't have large flower gardens. The conservation movement has influenced everyone to conserve and protect our environment for the future.

Architects are becoming more aware of the importance of incorporating nature into their designs. We do not like to be dehumanised by sterile spaces. Arranging lkebana in the home has always been a challenge. The arrangement must fit into the space available. It must fit in with the theme and mood we want to impart. "

For more information on the art of lkebana or if you

wish to join a class, phone Ruth Grosser on (07) 55 311 725.