In this lovely meditation on ikebana - the Japanese art of flower arranging - Joan Stamm shows us how her twin paths of Buddhist practice and artistic endeavor converge and indeed become thoroughly intertwined. Stamm's lush, elegant voice weaves childhood memories of her mother's joy at a just-bloomed morning glory with meditations on the symbolic importance of bamboo, of pine, of the lily. She takes us with her on her travels to Japan as she learns the essential principles of ikebana, and lets us join her as she teaches flower arranging to women in a nursing home who, though they won't recall tomorrow the rules of arrangement or even the flowers' names, nonetheless partake in the joy and love that celebrates all living things, however briefly they endure. And, when Joan shows us the natural symmetry of a blossom, we find that we too have regained our balance. Includes 16 full-color photographs of the author's original ikebana.

In this lovely, meditative exploration of Ikebana -- the Japanese art of flower arranging -- Joan Stamm shows us how her twin paths of Buddhist practice and artistic endeavor converge and indeed become thoroughly intertwined. In reflecting on the fading of a lovely bloom, the author understands impermanence; when she shows us the natural symmetry of a blossom, we find that we too have regained our balance. Stamm's elegant, lush voice weaves childhood memories with meditations on the symbolic importance of nature.

Beloved artist Donald Zolan's images of kids at play in his popular Growing Up a Country Boy and Growing Up a Country Girl (more than 75,000 combined sales) inspired nostalgia and the spirit of home. In Angels Among the Roses, his sweet, charming angels will uplift readers on the wings of heavenly hope. Surrounded by breathtaking flowers and gardens, Zolan's cheerful angels play among encouraging quotes and verses for a celebration of the people and kindnesses that shower us with blessings. At times everyone needs a reminder of the joys and goodness of an inspired life. This collection of graceful words and paintings is perfect for every occasion and will delight friends, family members, those in need of divine comfort, and anyone who has been an angel to others.

Being with Flowers provides you with several guided meditations and step-by-step floral arrangements to help you explore your relationship with flowers, and nature as a whole. Floral arrangements are so much more than a decoration. They provide a way to connect to nature and the world around us. Master floral sculptor, Anthony Ward, shows you how to work with flowers to bring more peace into your life. Including creative exercises, guided meditations, and step-by-step flower arrangements, Being with Flowers will show you how to appreciate the natural art of each flower to create the perfect arrangement.

Marys flowers by Vincenzina Krymow Illustrated by A. Joseph Barrish, S.M. With Meditations by M. Jean FriskSince medieval times, flowers have taken their names from the virtues of Mary, or events in her life. Learn the legends that fostered such names, and their biblical origins. Spend time with the meditations they inspire.Marys Flowers: Gardens, Legends and Meditations is a treasury of botanical history and lore. Thirty beautiful illustrations based on medieval woodcuts bring each bloom to colorful life. Even if you don't plant a Mary garden of your own, you will find a virtual Eden within. Visit awhile with these pages and keep company with Mary.

Heaven's Flower is a story of faith. Although it is based on the tragic loss of Dawn Anna's daughter in the Columbine High School shootings, the story is told amongst the flowers of an old gardener who takes it upon herself to nurture a gentle seed which has settled in her garden. It is a story of celebration, of loss, of hope, but, most of all, of love. This is a book to be held and to be shared. After reading the final page, your heart will remember that love never dies.

Have you wondered what a loved one is like in Heaven? Have you wondered whether you will actually enjoy life there? Do you wonder if your favorite pet will be there? There are many books telling what the Bible tells us about heaven and some books where the author claims to have been there. This book is a composite overview of details of heaven from fifty published eyewitness testimonies of heaven. All of these testimonies are combined with regard to many facets of heaven and are presented side by side to give a more complete picture of each detail of heaven than any single eyewitness account gives. As a result, this book's description of heaven is more direct, detailed, and extensive than that of any other book. Because so many testimonies are considered, the consistencies in these accounts give support for their authenticity. Since different people see things differently, this book gives a more accurate picture than any one person's experience can give. Prepare to be abundantly blessed and given a new perspective on this life in view of what is coming.

A masterful translation of one of the most influential Buddhist sutras—the Avatamsaka Sutra—by one of the greatest translators of Buddhist texts of our time Known in Chinese as Hua-yen and in Japanese as Kegon-kyo, the Avatamsaka Sutra, or Flower Ornament Scripture, is held in the highest regard and studied by Buddhists of all traditions. Through its structure and symbolism, as well as through its concisely stated principles, it conveys a vast range of Buddhist teachings. This one-volume edition contains Thomas Cleary’s definitive translation of all thirty-nine books of the sutra, along with an introduction, a glossary, and Cleary’s translation of Li Tongxuan’s seventh-century guide to the final book, the Gandavyuha, “Entry into the Realm of Reality.”

Hope for the Flowers: A must read during this time of the corona virus and civil unrest in 2020. Caterpillars, Butterflies, Life & a real Hope Revolution THE WORLD HAS BEEN COCOONING; LET US EMERGE WITH HOPE. We have all lived through months of strange relationships with ourselves and the world around us. Virtual gatherings have become the norm, while the pain, uncertainty and injustice goes on. What will our new normal possibly become? What new work? How can we do our part to heal the world from whatever limited space we have? How can our United States truly be one nation under God with liberty and JUSTICE FOR ALL? “What might I do to help others during this global crisis? Is likely still your question as well as still mine. I will continue to offer my e-book for $2.99 with my hope that it can strengthen hope and courage in each of you and your children. We will need all we can get! If inspired, please join our Facebook group - Hope (For the Flowers) Revolution. Maybe we can inspire each other to build the better world that's possible. My hope for us is that, like our caterpillar heroes, Stripe and Yellow, we transform in the darkness of the cocoon to something new and totally unexpected. May we each find a way to use this time of darkness to light the way to justice and peace in the world. May we discover our own new beauty as we discover the beauty in our differences. May we each discover our purpose and live with passion this thing called life, while we still can. “How does one become a butterfly” Yellow asks pensively. “You must want to fly so much That you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.” I can't think of anything more transformational and radical than the change that happens when a lowly caterpillar worm becomes a flying beautiful butterfly. And it doesn't end with flying! They find their true purpose, to carry the pollen of love from one flower to another and receive in return the sweet nectar that keeps them alive. What wondrous exchange! Sharing is the answer to so much! I'm so grateful the story seems to reach every culture, and over 3 million have loved and shared the paper version in English and countless more in other languages for 50 years. May each of us and the world flourish after this strange dark cocoon of isolation.