It begins with a wish and a waking dream: A city dweller laments her confined and hectic life, then sleeps and awakens to find the elements of a serene, traditional Japanese garden mirrored in a rain puddle and other objects on the rooftop outside her window. Illustrated with original woodcuts, this wise and charming desiderata walks us through the traditional elements of a Japanese garden-pebble, lantern, leaf, butterfly-and illuminates, simply and gently, the wisdom and generosity in each. (Be the pebble. Let time shape and smooth you.... Be the gardener. Create order.... Be the rain. Wash away, cleanse, forgive.... Be the moon. Shine through the dark.) Accessible to both Eastern and Western sensibilities, this elegant and inspiring book is a testament to harmony, and to the Buddhist acceptance of nature and flow. Zen teaching tale and hymn to nature, In a Japanese Garden celebrates the gifts of serenity and joy embodied in a simple garden and available at any time, deep within ourselves.
CHARMAINE ASERAPPA'S THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI IN JAPAN. MAY GOD COMFORT YOU +
At a time of extreme stress, Charmaine Aserappa was unexpectedly granted a divine moment of peace and profound understanding, shared in her first book, In a Japanese Garden (Council Oak Books 1999, with woodcuts by Akiko Naomura).
Dedicated to the greater glory of God at historic Christ Church Bay Ridge, In a Japanese Garden was launched at a community Zen garden which the author designed in the park at 72nd Street and Shore Road, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York. She hopes readers will visit this little rock and gravel garden near the Verrazano Narrows.
Thus blessed, In a Japanese Garden went on to become a five-star international bestseller in many categories, and a 'Most Wished For' and 'Most Gifted' Book, winning excellent reviews.
Readers all over the world have written to say that In a Japanese Garden has helped them to heal from stress, anxiety, loss, grief and illness. The book is well-known in peace and environmental circles, and the author has read it at Yale University, Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, and other high profile venues in different countries.
Charmaine Aserappa is the daughter of an English headmistress and a Sri Lankan airline pilot. Born in India, she attended Rose Manor Nursery School and St. Joseph's Convent in Mumbai, and won several prizes for writing and art in her years at Loreto House, Kolkata and Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi. From earliest childhood, she has had a keen appreciation of nature, nurtured by her family's involvement with wildlife and conservation.
A former Publicity Director at some of the world's finest book publishing houses in Toronto and New York, she later recruited foster homes for inner city children, and campaigned for human rights.
Charmaine Aserappa's second book, Message in the Sand (CANVAS, Manila 2008, with paintings by award-winning artist Roel Obemio), a children's eco-art book about marine conservation, was praised by the International Maritime Organization / United Nations. She has recently completed work on a wildlife film for children for ShowbizAfrica Botswana, and has novels, plays, cookbooks and other writing in progress.
The photograph of the author on this website was taken by her son, the writer, musician, photographer and artist, Nicolas Bernard Re.
Charmaine Aserappa is Communications Officer of an Anglican church named for St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the environment and all living things.
