MIROKU ASSOCIATION USA
HANA
Flower
心
KOKORO Feelings from the Heart
HEAVEN-LIKE FLOWER Mokichi Okada enjoyed making flower arrangements in every room of his home. He recommended,“… (We) begin by decorating the rooms in our individual homes and in other buildings, and this should not be limited to the middle and upper classes. Our aim is to encourage everyone to place arrangements in every place possible, so, wherever people go they will see flowers and enjoy them. Just a single flower in a vase would create a refreshing atmosphere wherever it is placed.”
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KATEN Heaven-like flower Mokichi Okada
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“Cosmos sulphureus, in full bloom ~ Move in the rhythm Of the garden breeze.”
Mokichi Okada
Sacred Grounds Guarapiranga 4
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RAISING CONSCIOUSNESS THROUGH FLOWERS “Our primary goal is to help establish Paradise on Earth. What then, is Paradise on Earth? It is a world where truth, virtue and beauty are manifested fully in our daily lives. Our teachings on health and Nature Farming provide important guidelines by which to realize our objective. And our practice of Johrei gives new life to all phases of one’s being – spiritual, mental and physical. But in addition to these, we believe it is vitally important to raise everyone’s consciousness through beauty.” Mokichi Okada
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Flower arrangement by Mokichi Okada
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MOKICHI FLOWERS
OKADA
AND
Mokichi Okada loved flowers deeply, and they played an essential role in his daily life. Whenever he had some free time, he cared for his garden and chose flowers to make arrangements. By so doing, he decorated the rooms of his home with flowers.
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“The beauty of the flower, When I arrange it attentively ~ I feel again How deep God’s blessings are.”
Mokichi Okada
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“Those who love and appreciate flowers, their grace and beauty, Have hearts equally as beautiful.�
Mokichi Okada
Flower arrangement by Itsuki Okada
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SOME THOUGHTS The Art of Flower Arranging started in Japan hundreds of years ago. We would like to share with you some secrets and mysteries of the “Path of Flower”, from Mokichi Okada’s viewpoint: “[…] If there are flowers wherever there are people, the negativity of today’s world will be considerably alleviated. […] Mokichi Okada Therefore, the world relies on our attitude, through which we are able to make it either paradise-like or hell-like. Flowers create good energies around us, purify our feelings, and establish an oasis of peace and tranquility.
Sacred Grounds Kyoto
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Bush Clover Path Hakone 14
Let the
Flower Live
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Let the flower live PRINCIPLE: CULTIVATE THE FEELING In the Japanese language, there is an expression, kokoro no kyoiku, which means to educate and to cultivate the values of the soul; improve and enhance the nobility of brighter, elevated feelings.
心
Feelings from the Heart
RELIGION AND ART “(...) It is the very mission of art to elevate one’s awareness, to enrich the individual’s daily life so it is pleasurable and meaningful. When we look upon lovely flowers in spring, colorful leaves in autumn, and the beauty of the seas and mountains as seen through the eyes of and expressed by those who have artistic talents, we can gain inexpressible joy from them. It is not too much to say that paradise on earth, the goal we are striving to reach, is ‘a world of art’.” Mokichi Okada 16
TALK TO THE FLOWERS; GIVE LIFE TO THEIR FEELINGS “I never force any of the materials into particular shapes (…) but simply arrange them in their own natural form as much as I can so they remain fresh and full of life for a long time.” Mokichi Okada When you handle the flowers, use your intuition, as each flower has soul and feelings. Moreover, feel the presence of God in each and every flower. 17
CHOOSING FLOWERS In order to achieve better harmony, choose seasonal flowers and, if possible, ones cultivated in local gardens. As soon as flowers are picked, they should be placed in water-filled receptacles. When flowers are purchased in flower shops, we should arrange them as soon as possible. CUTTING THE FLOWER Something mysterious and magical occurs when we cut a flower. It is somehow akin to a “birth�; like when the umbilical cord is cut and the newborn breathes for the first time for the fulfillment of his or her mission.
REMEMBER: Before cutting the flower, envision where you are going to place it. Then cutting it, make the arrangement without delay. 18
Bucket used by Mokichi-Okada for picking flowers
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WATER In the world of the Art of Flowers, water connects human feelings with the flowers, and the vase. According to studies conducted by Professor Masaru Emoto, when water receives positive feelings and endearing words that express appreciation and love, it then undergoes crystallization; its formative shape becoming regular and harmonious. By contrast, when water receives negative thoughts, feelings and words, either imperfect crystals are formed or crystallization may not even occur. Thus, we realize that all living forms are influenced by human thoughts, feelings and words.
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Love and Gratitude
Mother’s Milk
Harmony / Mother’s Cooking
Words of a Sanskrit Prayer
Below the pictures: Masaru Emoto, Extracted from The Message from Water, vol. 2 THE FLOWER HAS CONSCIOUSNESS Flowers are also able to perceive the feelings and words of human beings, which reflect on their span of life. 21
Tutorial I. First step CHOOSING THE VASE Being aware of the surroundings where the flower will be placed is an important consideration. Match the vase, the flower and the place. Our goal is to make small flower arrangements. Therefore, choose a vessel of proper size from your daily life, such as a cup, teapot, etc.
II. Second step Pour water into the chosen vase, where you will make the flower arrangement, with the feelings previously instructed.
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III. Third step HOW TO LOOK AT THE FLOWER Separate the flowers and leaves, by training your look as you choose each of them. In the smaller picture (below), it is possible to clearly see that the flower is looking downwards. When you change the position (larger picture), the flower then looks upwards and should be placed in the vase so that everyone can enjoy its beauty. It is important not only to distinguish front and back, but also to determine the position in which the flower will best be presented.
IV. Fourth step
V. Fifth Step
MIZUAGUE
Make each flower arrangement with feelings of providing delight to those who are near and dear to you.
Method of water absorption by flowers By using the mizukiri technique, cut stems at the desired height.
Mizukiri is a simple method providing for better water absorption by flowers and delicate stems. Most plants absorb an adequate amount of water through this process, which consists of cutting the plant stems without raising them out of water. It provides absorption due to the expulsion of air inside the stem. After the mizukiri, place the flower in a water-filled receptacle.
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The Role of Flowers in Establishing Paradise on Earth
“Just a single flower in a vase would create a refreshing atmosphere wherever it is placed.�
Mokichi Okada
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CULTIVATING FLOWERS Following Mokichi Okada’s example, use empty spaces in yards, gardens, or even porches to cultivate your flowers. In the book “Plante Felicidade – Horta Caseira*”, learn how to cultivate anthurium, winter jasmine, roselle, sunflower, violet, and kalanchoe. In order to welcome happiness, always keep a flower at your home entranceway or in your office. *Note: Portuguese translation from the book’s title: “Cultivate Happiness – Home Gardening”
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