Heaven and Earth Are Flowers : Reflections on Ikebana and Buddhism

In First Invite Love In, Tana Pesso and the late Penor Rinpoche work together to create a secular guidebook for anyone who would like to live more compassionately, wisely, and with an open and inviting heart. Moment by moment, thought by thought, step by step, we can transform our minds through time-tested compassion practices, and ultimately create a garden of delight out of any life history or current circumstance, regardless of how traumatic or difficult. There are countless examples of people from all spiritual paths, faiths, and religions who have experienced terrible hardships or even themselves created hardships and suffering for others, who have turned their minds towards love and compassion and found peace and happiness.

Joan D. Stamm received shihan, formal authorization to teach, from the Saga School of Ikebana headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. She lives on Orcas Island, Washington. The essay that was the seed of this book also appeared in the Best Spiritual Writing series.