Ikebana enhances living spaces

By Stephen Clearheart Johnson
North Forty News

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On summer mornings in the mountains, dawn comes softly, gently. The universe seems to hold its breath for a moment. Then the birds begin to sing. Humans begin to move about. At the Shambhala Mountain Center off Boy Scout Road, Robert Elbers begins his meditative work as a master in the Zen art of Ikebana.

Translated as "living flowers" or "the way of the flowers," Ikebana is a style of floral arrangement that dates to origins in Japan six centuries ago. Pronounced as E'-kay-bahna, such arrangements are part of the three traditional offerings found on a Japanese Buddhist shrine. The flowers accompany incense and food, all refreshed daily.

Elbers' creations may stay up much longer. His devotion is to enhance the living and study spaces in the village that is home to up to 500 staff and visitors during the summer months. His creations grace the entry to the Sacred Studies Hall as well as other areas and can be found "as close as possible to where people are living," Elbers said.

"Being around flowers is soothing," he added. "It helps lift people's moods."

His creations are "an offering, a gift to help brighten people's day, wake them up, make the space inviting and welcoming."

Many in the community practice the art. The site is the home of the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, a 106-foot-tall temple "which liberates upon seeing." In the temple, flowers are arranged by dedicated staff, and the staffs of the large programs often bring their own arrangers.

Fresh flowers are ordered from Fort Collins twice a week, and Elbers supervises a budget of up to $100 per week for this purpose. Many flowers or leaves come from the large solar greenhouse where herbs and vegetables are also grown for the community kitchen. The greenhouse extends the growing season to seven months of the year.

Other materials such as pine branches or aspen twigs come from the surrounding forest. But, Elbers is quick to add, they do not take living material but use only what the fire mitigation teams have harvested or what occurs naturally, such as windfall.

This disciplined art form has three popular schools of design and two basic styles: the shallow vase (moribana) and the tall vase (heika). Compositions may include one, two or three elements. A pine branch, some flowers and some river rocks can come alive and infuse the area with a vibrant harmony.

Classes for residents and staff are held frequently, although public programs are rare. Short courses in the art are often held in conjunction with other programs such as a recent family program that included Ikebana classes for children as well as adults.

Elbers, 23, from California, has been practicing the art only since March. He took some classes and studied under mentors. Now, he said he believes he has learned to understand and respect the rules well enough that he can innovate. Having also studied forms of two-dimensional art, Elbers said, "I like the challenges involved in putting together a 3-D arrangement."