The Spirit of Sogetsu
Making the Heart and Soul Connection
with Flowers and Plant Materials
It is our intention that the images, dialogue, reflection questions and prompts be posted the first Monday of each month. For those registered for the monthly AWBA email, a link will be posted in the monthly newsletters emailed throughout this series. You may also opt to receive email notification of new blog posts by registering your email address in the "follow by email" link in the right bar of this blog. The comment feature will be available for discussion with Michelle throughout this three-month series. This series is part of our AWBA blog (which is public and open to anyone) and there is no charge for this event. Michelle is a gifted Sogetsu instructor who lives with a chronic diagnosis and has also been in the role of a caregiver and support person. I know you will appreciate the wisdom and creativity she will share with us. She writes about her journey,
I am Michelle Rogers, a person with a lifetime of serving and caregiving experience. I’ve been a big sister, waitress, respiratory therapist, community ministry coordinator, small business owner, lay speaker, chaplain, hospice volunteer, and spiritual director. These are a few of the jobs and positions that I have held over the years, some of which I still do. Most recently I have added Sogetsu ikebana teacher to my resume. I am instructing others in the art of Japanese flower arranging. I began my own studies in Sogetsu over a decade ago, but it wasn’t until I found myself on the receiving end of service and caregiving over the past six years, that I began to realize the spiritual and healing power that this art form offers me. It is from this place of realization that I hope to share with others both the art of Sogetsu AND personal reflections as a person who has experienced episodes of acute and chronic health conditions.
We invite you to learn more about the spiritual value of Sogetsu as one impacted by a chronic diagnosis - whatever your role may be. I have had the experience to observe Michelle as she creates her art and to be a student in an Ikebana class at the Franklin Park Conservatory alongside her. Both experiences made an impact on me and I am eager to make this creative expression available to others. Watch for an upcoming online retreat and an in-person workshop with Michelle to be offered in the coming months.
Michelle, thank you for this gift :)
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