KIIT 2023: Going to the heart of the practice.
This teacher’s training continues to cultivate a mind/heart that is always open. The program is by invitation only.
Programme Description:
Kado-ikebana is a contemplative/meditative art. It can reveal the relationship and interdependency between space, nature and all sentient beings but this depends on personal openness.
Human experience reflects the laws of the universe which are the laws of nature.
By practicing classical Ikebana forms, we can understand universal law or natural wisdom by witnessing it in nature, ourselves, all of life. Natural wisdom is the same everywhere even though it appears in myriad manifestations.
If we connect with natural wisdom it is then possible to guide others to discover their own. This depends on how consistently we maintain our openness.
The questions that always remain then are, “what is Kado-Ikebana?”…”what can be learned from the practices taught from the contemplative/meditative art view and, “how do we learn?”
Once we have answered these questions, transmitting natural wisdom is self understood.
Deepening our studies through exploration of the six senses
This year we will work towards a deeper understanding of Kado-Heart essence by exploring the 6 senses intimately.
Through practicing classical Kado-ikebana forms, it is possible to cultivate “direct experience” in every moment. But how do we come in direct contact with living wisdom through Kado-ikebana and life?
We will go through many exercises exploring the 6 senses that ultimately can open to greater “friendliness” towards everything life brings. You may call this friendliness the directness of life. Whether you like directness or not is not the point; it is your friendliness or openness towards life that is.
The emphasis of our program is pointed towards developing “art” in every moment of our lives, taking our experience with Kado-Ikebana far beyond the assembling of floral forms. When “sensitivity” or “knowing” develops, Kado-Ikebana understanding becomes a guide for complete engagement with all relationships in life as art.
In order to develop sensitivity or knowing it’s necessary to connect with doubtless trust experiencing it directly in our heart.
“…taste your own heart…” VCTR
We meet our heart directly through the 6 senses or 6 gates which are sensing, seeing, tasting, smelling, tactile touch, and hearing.
Connecting with them every moment directly, then out of that, knowing “how to proceed” can arise, but there is no guarantee.
This is not a trick or formula for “instant” wisdom. There is no such thing. This is ancient teaching and as with everything in life, continual practice is necessary which inevitably includes mistakes or mishaps.
Kado-Ikebana can only be taught from its deepest level by touching our own heart first and maintaining a close continual relationship with it.
Loyalty to “how things are”; if we clearly sense how things are, makes it possible to live in natural wisdom and compassion.
Living this way transmits it to others by example.
“It is true of every art that you cannot acquire what you have not felt”
Zen and the Art of Flower Arranging
Ms Gustie Herrigel…pp 44
Practical Information
Arrival day (7 May): Orientation talk at 8 pm. You’re invited to come from 4 pm in order to register and settle in your room. Dinner is served at 6.45 pm.
End of program (13 May): Closing circle and Banquet in the evening.
Departure day (14 May): You may leave anytime (no program). You’re welcome to stay for lunch.
