Zen and The Art of Flower Arranging
Oct 18, 2021
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The changing of seasons is also a perfect time to reflect on the Zen principle that everything in the universe is in a constant state of transformation. To a Zen Buddhist, impermanence is taken for granted, and nowhere is impermanence more evident than in a garden. Flowers grow, bloom, and die back. Fruits ripen, then fall to the ground and rot. During a summer of steady rains, the perennial shrubs grow so fast, they needconstantpruning!
Impermanenceis one of the important concepts on display in theelegantJapanese art form of ikebana. Other concepts covered in this meditative practice areimperfectionandminimalism. Ikebana is a contemplative practice on a par with the ritual of the tea ceremony. It can be both relaxing and expressive,spiritualand secular. Along with calligraphy, ikebana and the tea ceremony are often practiced by Zen Buddhists because these activities are calming and require a certain degree of meditative concentration, according to Tricycle.org.
Ikebana probably first appeared in Japan around the 7th century, imported from Chinaas an outgrowth of the regular practice ofoffering flowersto theBuddha. It wasnt until the 15th century, however, that ikebana began developing into a more ritualized art form. About this time, the 8th shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimasa (14361490), who was a patron of the artsparticularly flower arrangingcontributed greatly to the art form by practicing it himself, thus increasing its popularity among the upper classes. In fact, many of Japans generals through the ages have been practitioners of ikebana as a method of relaxation. Yoshimasa and his contemporaries even influenced the first codification of basic rules for ikebana.
Although there have been many schools of ikebana through the ages, all have shared a common goal of honoring nature and respecting the spirit. Each floral arrangement forms a roughly triangular shape which is pleasing to the eye aesthetically, but also has deeper significance: The tallest branch represents heaven, the next highest represents humans, and a small bundle of flowers at the base represents earth. Creative ikebana practitionerscanuse seasonal and locally sourced materials to create new arrangements within these basic parameters.
CONTEMPORARY PRACTITIONERS
HayatoNishiyama, who lives in Kyoto, went to artschooland joined an ikebana club. Eventually hegrew tolovebotanyso much that he gave up art and became a gardener instead. The constant change of seasons inspires his work, as shown in an arrangement featuring autumn-red rowan branches (a gift from a northern friend) set against late-summer purple asters. Another work,showing three small flowers planted in mossone in bud, one flowering, and onefadingseems to comment on past, present, and future as well as the cyclical nature of time and life.
Ikebana practitioners seem to prefer to usethe flowersand othermaterials that are native to wherever they live. Emily Thompson, a self-taught floral artist working in Manhattan, often usessuch unusual materials as weeds, hairy seed pods, and exotics. She is attempting to build worlds made of the infinite wealth of nature,she toldThe New York Times. One of her arrangements features a twisted, lichen-covered apple-tree branch with decaying leaves and one withered apple, paired with snowy Serena roses. Besides illustrating the contrast and impermanence,the arrangement sparks contemplation about how far that apple branch traveled to get to her hands.
TRY IT YOURSELF
Ikebana courses may be found at many local schools, and through national and international organizations. You dont need elaborate materials: a sharp pair of pruners, akenzan(the pin-covered object we call a frog) to hold your materials firmly in place, and a small container. Some ikebana practitioners believe thattheir artshould be practiced in silence; others dont believe thats so important.But you might find yourself sinking into a meditative state as youthink about what materials to use, gather them from your garden or yard, andwork on your arrangement, contemplating the theories that your instructor explains to you. When you are finished with your first ikebana arrangement, you should feel a sense of wholeness as the three points of the triangle of heaven, human, and earth find their balance.
According to Natalie Cenci, writing for Artsy: In Japan today, the wordkado, meaning way of flowers, is the preferred term for ikebana, as its believed to more accurately capture the spirit of the art as a lifelong path of learning. The impermanence built into this art, beginning with its dependence on natures seasons, lends itself to never-ending exploration and experimentation.
Explore the many seasons of ikebana foryourself, andsee your garden with new eyes!
Written by Patricia Rockwood, Instructor and Staff Writer, Adult & Community Enrichment (ACE)atSuncoast Technical College.
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Biological Aging Speeds Up in Your 40s and 60s
Your chronological age and your biological age dont necessarily match. Around the ages of 44 and 60 the aging process accelerates in what has been dubbed a biomolecular shift, which dramatically impacts health and internal aging. Researchers discovered these two bursts of aging during the human lifespan, singling out the mid-forties and early sixties as key periods. But the greater shift in biological aging happens during your early sixties.However, out of this seemingly bad news is some hope. Now that science has pinpointed when these changes occur, it could help researchers uncover what is driving chronic disease as we age, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis or even strategies for prevention. So exactly what is going on during these periods of rapid biological aging, how do they impact health, and what can you do to be proactive? Lets break it down.Aging Isnt Primarily GradualYou can no longer assume that aging happens gradually. Ever notice that some people seem to age overnight or are really showing their age? While there is obviously gradual decline, more dramatic changes happen quickly and during certain periods of life. It all comes down to the molecules that make up your physical body. These individual molecules are what age, and studies reveal that they undergo greater change at certain ages, making aging non-linear or not so much gradual over time.How Periods of Rapid Biological Aging Impact HealthIn both your mid-forties and early sixties most people experience molecular level changes related to skin and muscle aging, cardiovascular disease, and the metabolizing of caffeine. This is why people tend to start or increase cholesterol or blood pressure medications during these times of life.Researchers also noted differences between the two periods of biological aging. People in their forties had a greater shift in relation to fat and alcohol metabolism, while those in their sixties underwent shifts related to immune regulation, carbohydrate metabolism, and kidney function.These facts seem to correlate with experience as many people in their sixties are less able to fight off sickness and are even more prone to weight gain and kidney trouble or even kidney failure. Cancer rates tend to spike around this time as the immune system is less able to fend off the invasive cancer cells. Cases of heart disease also rise during this time as people struggle more with their weight and rising cholesterol levels.Less expected, however, was the evidence of rapid aging during the mid-forties. But it becomes more understandable as you consider what characterizes the lives of most people during this life stage. Lifestyle makes a difference and life moves at a rapid pace during your forties. Often this is a time of busy family and work schedules, high work stress, divorce, and weight gain. You often have less time for self-care during these frantic years, and all combined, this shifts your body into a period of rapid molecular aging.Combat Biological Aging with Proactive StepsYou obviously cant stop the aging process but its possible to slow it down. The steps to achieve this arent all new or innovative. In fact, it involves putting common knowledge into practice which many people resist, at least until later life. Here are some unsurprising practical tips for slowing biological aging: Avoid weight gainEat more fruits and vegetablesControl diabetes and high blood pressureStay physically activeDont smoke And the way to prevent or avoid diabetes and high blood pressure is to limit sugar, processed carbohydrates, and saturated fats. If youre in your 40s, in addition to the above, its also beneficial to monitor and minimize your cholesterol levels, exercise to build muscle mass, and limit or avoid alcohol. For additional ways to combat aging, read our article, How to Live Longer: 12 Life-Boosting Habits to Start NowThe best rule of thumb is not to wait until your health begins to decline before making these changes. Adjust your lifestyle while youre still healthy, and you will see the biggest payoff. However, its never too late to start living with your health in mind, because changes at any stage will make a positive difference.Key Takeaways About Biological Aging in Your 40s and 60sScience previously thought that the human body aged gradually in linear fashion, but recent studies show that aging on a molecular level occurs rapidly during the mid-forties and early sixties. During your forties, this change is often due to lifestyle changes that can be altered for better outcomes. You can slow the aging process during midlife with regular exercise and a diet rich in produce and low in saturated fat and processed carbohydrates.
A Vegan Diet Can Help Reduce Biological Age
You know a vegan diet is touted for its plethora of health benefits, but now research suggests it can even make you younger at the cellular level, reducing your biological age. After just eight weeks of a vegan diet, one study found that biomarkers for biological aging decreased. How well your body functions is the focus of your biological age, which means it can be different from your chronological age, or age in years. A vegan diet is one of the specific lifestyle changes you can make to help you function like someone younger. When you slow your biological age, it can help you live longer and add healthier years to life without chronic disease.Understanding the Link Between a Vegan Diet and Biological AgeEven though civilization has made huge strides in prolonging life expectancy, much of the population still battles with age-related chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease. But if we can slow biological aging, the prevalence of those chronic conditions will diminish further. This means we would not only extend our quantity of life by adding years but also our quality of life as these years would be healthier ones.Medical professionals can assess biological age in different ways. One way is through DNA methylation, involving molecular changes over time that flip genes on and off. Sometimes changes age the body faster and others may slow the aging process down. For this study, shifts in DNA were monitored in 21 pairs of adult identical twins. In each pair, one twin switched to a vegan diet and the other followed a healthy diet that included meats and animal products. Often confused with vegetarianism, a vegan diet is stricter and prohibits eating not only meats and fish but all animal byproducts as well. This means vegans must forgo eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, and other foods that vegetarians consume.Study Reveals Vegan Diet Reduces Biological AgeThe study found a reduction in biological age markers for the twins who went vegan. But for the twins who continued eating meat and animal products, these same markers remained the same. Specifically, the study linked going vegan to reductions in biological age markers of the heart and liver as well as for the endocrine, immune, and metabolic systems. However, scientists cant be sure how much of the observed changes were solely due to the vegan diet and how much could be attributed to calorie reduction and weight loss. And since the study is small and not extensive, which means a broad conclusion cant be drawn about whether everyone should reduce biological age by going vegan. Furthermore, researchers cant be sure which aspect of the vegan diet is so beneficiallike eating less meat or eating more vegetables.How a Vegan Diet May Improve Molecular AgeOf all the modifiable factors, experts believe diet has the most impact on biological age. Plant-based diets have enormous anti-inflammatory benefits and are high in antioxidants, nutrients, and fiber which go a long way toward slowing biological aging. Vegan diets are also extremely low in saturated fats, a major contributor to chronic conditions like high cholesterol and heart disease. But before you jump on the vegan train, consider your approach. Its best to do your research and be sure a vegan diet is sustainable over time, even if youre not a strict vegan. Its better to be mostly vegan or largely vegan than to be strict for the short term. The benefits accumulate over time, which means a vegan diet must be a long-term commitment to have any lasting impact upon your health.Different Types of VeganismAs with any diet or eating plan, the health benefits depend on the specifics of what youre eating. Even a vegan can eat bad or unhealthy plant-based foods. Here are a few common types of vegan diets:Dietary vegans:Also called plant-based eaters, this is the most strict type of vegan. Adherents to this brand of veganism avoid consuming all animal products but still use non-vegan products in other forms such as clothing and cosmetics. Whole-food vegans:These veganites eat only vegan-whole foods, omitting any processed vegan products. The focus of this diet is vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and nuts. Junk-food vegans:These are the opposite of whole-food vegans. A large part of their diet contains processed vegan foods like fries, frozen dinners, vegan meats, and desserts like vegan cookies and non-dairy ice cream.Raw-food vegans:Although safer than meat-eating raw food fans, those who follow a vegan raw-food diet eat only foods that are either completely raw or cooked at temperatures below 118 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius).Low fat raw-food vegans:This type of vegan diet avoids high fat vegan foods like avocados, nuts, and coconuts. They eat a lot of fruit in addition to raw vegetables. Because they dont eat nuts or processed soy, it can be difficult for this type of vegan to get the proper amount of protein or healthy fats.Of the many types of vegan diets, a whole-food vegan diet offers the most health benefits, allowing you to eat the most variety and gain the most nutritional benefit. If you want to try a vegan diet, consult with your doctor about what is most appropriate for you and to ensure youre able to gain all the nutrients you need.More Health Reasons for Going VeganSince diets high in red meats have been linked to cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, more people are considering a vegan diet as a healthy and safer alternative. Plant-based diets are closely associated with a lower risk of developing these diseases and dying prematurely.Many people also experience better digestion when eating primarily plant-based, and additional research has linked it with a reduced risk of Alzheimers disease.Additionally, some research suggests that if you eat a vegan diet youre more protected from the side effects linked to the antibiotics and hormones in modern animal products.Another major factor in reducing the risk of chronic disease is weight loss that is often inherent with a vegan diet. When you cut out the calories found in higher fat meats, highly processed foods, dairy, and other animal-based foods, its much easier to maintain a calorie deficit or the right amount of calories for a stable weight.However, you may be surprised to find that going vegan, though beneficial for reducing biological age, might also leave you short in certain nutrients. As a vegan, you must be mindful of consuming the proper amount of protein, healthy fats, iron, B12, calcium, selenium, zinc, iodine, and vitamin D. These nutrients are specifically found in animal products and little to none exist in plant-based foods. A vegan diet can be perfectly healthy as you are aware of some of the deficiencies and intentionally plan for them, whether by intentionally incorporating foods rich in these nutrients or taking supplements to account for them.Common Vegan Foods for Healthy AgingHere are some of the plant-based replacements vegans use to replace animal products.Tofu, tempeh, and seitanThese foods offer a protein-rich alternative to meats, poultry, fish, and eggs. You can use them in recipes or prepare them as you would a meaty main dish.LegumesThese include beans, lentils, and peas, which are excellent sources of nutrients and can be prepared in many ways or added to a variety of recipes. Lentils are also an important source of vegan protein while also containing complex carbs.Nuts and nut butterIf you eat these unblanched and unroasted, youll get a larger dose of fiber, iron magnesium, selenium, zinc, and vitamin E.SeedsHemp, chia, and flaxseeds provide a healthy amount of protein and those necessary healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids.Calcium-fortified plant milk and yogurtVegans get some of the necessary calcium, B12, and vitamin D from fortified vegan dairy products.AlgaeThis is an excellent source of complete plant protein, specifically if you buy spirulina and chlorella varieties. Nutritional yeastThis is another way for vegans to get more protein. Its often in a flaky form and can be shaken onto or into vegan dishes. It has a mild cheesy flavor. You can usually buy brands fortified with B12.Whole grains, cereals, and pseudocerealsThese are excellent sources of complex carbs, fiver, B vitamins, iron, and minerals. Some high-protein examples include teff, spelt, amaranth, and quinoa. You could also include steel-cut oats and even the more processed oat varieties.Sprouted and fermented plant foodsVegans regularly eat tempeh, miso, natto, sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, and kombucha which contain probiotics and vitamin K2. You can also improve mineral absorption by eating sprouted and fermented foods.Fruits and vegetablesA foundational element of a vegan diet is fruits and vegetables. Both are packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Eating leafy greens like spinach, kale, watercress, bok choy, and mustard greens boosts iron and calcium. Is Going Vegan Worth It?A growing body of research suggests there are real and impactful health benefits linked to a vegan diet. So if its overall health and nutrition youre concerned about, a vegan diet may be worth the inevitable sacrifices. This is especially true if youre interested in slowing the biological aging process. Just keep it in mind that you dont have to adopt a vegan diet in the strictest sense to see health benefits. Drastically reducing the consumption of saturated fats or animal products will have a positive impact and reduce health risk.
Blog Post: How to Avoid Feeling Like a Fool When Selling a Loved Ones Home
Losing a loved one is never easy, and neither is handling the sale of their home. Emotions run high, decisions feel overwhelming, and its easy to make mistakes that could cost time, money, or unnecessary stress. On April Fools Day, lets take a lighthearted yet informative approach to highlight some common missteps families make when selling an estate and how to avoid them.Foolish Mistake #1: Letting Emotions Control the ProcessIts natural to feel sentimental about a family home filled with cherished memories. However, pricing a home based on emotional value rather than market reality is a common mistake. Setting an unrealistic price can lead to months of frustration with no offers or lowball bids that feel insulting.Smart Move: Work with a real estate professional who understands the market and can provide an objective pricing strategy. Its okay to honor memories, but the best tribute is making a smooth transition that benefits the family.Foolish Mistake #2: Holding Onto Everything "Just in Case"When going through a loved ones belongings, its tempting to keep everything for sentimental reasons. Before you know it, every closet, shelf, and storage space is filled with "important" items that delay the sale.Smart Move: Set clear guidelines for what to keep, donate, or sell. Professional organizers and estate sale services can be a huge help. Remember, the true value of a loved ones legacy isnt in the objects but in the memories you carry forward.Foolish Mistake #3: Skipping Necessary UpdatesMany families assume they should sell the home "as-is" to avoid the hassle of repairs. While this sometimes makes sense, ignoring necessary updates can significantly reduce the homes market value.Smart Move: Identify which improvements provide the best return on investment. A fresh coat of paint, updated fixtures, and minor landscaping can make a home feel more inviting without breaking the bank. A trusted real estate agent can guide you on which updates are truly worth it.Foolish Mistake #4: Waiting Too Long to List the PropertyGrief is a process, and its understandable to need time before making big decisions. However, waiting too long to list the home can lead to maintenance issues, higher carrying costs, and market shifts that affect the sale price.Smart Move: Set a reasonable timeline for the selling process. If emotions make it difficult to move forward, enlist the help of professionals who can shoulder some of the burden while keeping things moving efficiently.Foolish Mistake #5: Trying to Do Everything AloneHandling an estate sale is a complex task, and many families try to manage it all by themselves. From legal matters to staging and marketing, the process is overwhelming without the right guidance.Smart Move: Lean on experienced professionals who specialize in estate sales. A knowledgeable real estate agent can coordinate the necessary steps, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process.The Bottom LineSelling a loved ones home is never just a transactionits a deeply personal journey. Avoiding these common missteps can save time, reduce stress, and help you make informed decisions during a challenging time. If youre facing the sale of a senior's home or an estate, you dont have to go through it alone. I specialize in helping families navigate this transition with care, expertise, and efficiency. Reach out today, and lets make the process as smooth as possible.