Be a Lotus
Are you going through a a really difficult phase of your life?
Do you think the
circumstances of your life are unbearable?
Are crushing
financial problems preventing you from reaching your potential?
Do you have to deal with
extremely difficult people?
If
your answer to any of these questions is a “yes”, simply BE A LOTUS. Yes, you read
this right. Just be a lotus. Why a
lotus? Let’s explore it together.
Be self-sufficient
The
lotus flower, referred to as water lily, is an extremely beautiful bowl-shaped flower
with broad, flat leaves that float above water. It is both ornamental and sweet
smelling and is surrounded by circular green leaves called lily pads that float
around it in a spectacular scene of beauty and color. Unlike other delicate
flowers, a lotus requires no special care since it grows naturally
in ponds, lakes, slow-moving streams, and even swamps. A lotus, then, depends on no one; is self-sufficient
and self-providing, are you?
Be
grateful for what you have, be yourself
The
Lotus actually starts its journey of growth deep under the mud, in the dark bottom
of the water until it makes its way to the surface. The flower
gracefully extends out of the water and
blossoms into fifteen white, pink and sometimes blue oval shaped petals that
spread open to savor the sun rays. The
lotus shares its beauty and perfume with the world while we humans fail to count
our blessings and feel grateful for them. Instead, we keep complaining about
our hard circumstances and allow them to shackle our progress in life. Can we
be a lotus in this sense?
Be strong and transcend
your limitations
Despite
its splendor and elegance, the lotus flower thrives in the mud; it can grow in
swamps and live in muddy or even contaminated water. However, you will always find it spotless clean and untouched by impurity. Its
leaves shed the dirt away and never allow themselves to get smeared or spotted
by it. Can we humans be that immune to
our surroundings? Can we rise above our
circumstances and origins and transcend the ugliness of the real world and keep
thriving and moving on by sheer will and inner strength? Can we
be a lotus in this sense?
Be compassionate and
generous
During
the day, a lotus is out and about; it is there in its colorful splendor in the
middle of lovely green pads sharing its beauty with the beholder. Together, they provide shade and shelter to
tiny water creatures which cling to them.
It is not only the spectacular scene of beauty that makes the lotus a
unique flower, but the unconditional protection and providing for other
creatures as well. Can we be generous to others like a lotus is? Can we provide
another human being with protection, care or maybe just a little sympathy that
will help them move through life knowing that there is someone to lean on? Can we be a lotus in this sense?
Be wise, detached and self-caring
With sunset, the lotus closes its leaves to protect its
curious flat seedcase center from night predators. It is wise enough to shut the outer world away
when it has to only to have a new birth with the next day, are we humans that
wise? Can we decide when to leave
everything behind and retreat into ourselves to nourish and recollect our
energy to face the world anew? Can we be
a lotus in this sense?
The Lotus as a Symbol
In Ancient Egypt
It
is no wonder the lotus flower is one of the most unique symbols of almost all
the ancient cultures of our planet. In
ancient Egypt, the lotus is symbol and icon in the mythology and
legends ; it is widely depicted in ancient Egyptian art symbolizing the process of rebirth and regeneration of
the dead upon entering the underworld.
It also symbolized the sun itself, and was thus closely associated
with Atum-Ra, the Sun god and later with Nefertum, god of perfume. Even more, it was used to symbolize our
splendid Upper Egypt.
As
an art motif, the lotus was widely drawn in sacred places throughout ancient
Egypt. It ornamented the tops of pillars
in temples; it was there in the tomb Hieroglyphics, engraved on walls,
depicted on papyrus, and it proudly topped the thrones and headdresses of the pharaohs.
In
Buddhism
A
lotus symbolizes purity of the body, the tongue, and mind. According to Buddhism, every human being has the
potential to become perfect and enlightened, as long as he/she is keen on
reaching the light. The analogy of the
human self to a Lotus is clear as while rooted in the mud, its flowers blossom
above the muddy waters of earthly desire. It is also symbolic of detachment as drops of dirty
water easily slide off its petals. Many
Hindu gods, and the Buddha himself, are
depicted sitting or standing on a Lotus to symbolize the ability to overcome
the pain that prevails in the material world and to transcend it and be enlightened,
just like the Lotus flower.
Be a Lotus
Delicate and beautiful as
it may appear to be, a lotus flower had gained its reputation as strong, pure,
generous and perfect throughout cultures and times. It also has its scientifically- proven
medicinal benefits but let’s save this for another time. For now let’s just try
to be as graceful, strong, pure, loving and generous as a LOTUS.
