Lessons of the Lotus

I love to ponder why certain images or themes continue to pop up in various places and situations. Like the lotus flower, above. I've never seen a real one, but if you pause long enough, you can find lotus flowers everywhere, in art, architecture and literature. And they're a sacred symbol in many religions: Buddhism, ancient Egypt, Hinduism, Brahmanism, Zorastrianism and even ancient Mayan beliefs. Why is this?

If that all seems musty and dusty, consider that one of the most expensive cars you can buy today is called Lotus. A car and a flower are very different things, but obviously, someone in a marketing department somewhere thought that the symbolism long associated with the lotus would appeal to a certain elite clientele who could afford rare, luxury cars.

And here's a beautiful example of lotus symbolism in architecture, a Bahai temple located in India.

Across various cultures, the lotus symbolizes the best human ideals and concepts: purity, enlightenment, the human heart, the sun, creation, divine birth or rebirth, knowledge and cosmic harmony.

Again, why is this? I'm fixated on the lotus because of the daily meditation that I've been doing. It's a Buddhist meditation or chant called simply "Jewel in the Lotus Flower." The 6 syllables--"om, mani, padme, hum"--are rich with spiritual symbolism. As I understand it, this chant can assist in transforming our individual essence into a more enlightened state--that of the Buddha nature. The lotus is the perfect symbol because it grows under murky water but eventually reveals a beautiful, delicate flower. The opening bloom represents the opening of our Buddha nature as it flowers. That bright center of the flower is considered the "jewel" and represents our individual spiritual potential.

Well, I have a long way to go before I get all flowery and enlightened! Being the skeptic that I am, I don't know if this chant will do anything for me--but the romantic in me recognizes the beauty and purity embedded therein. There are certainly worse things for which to strive. And it helps me to think that the murkiness in which I currently find myself might one day subside to reveal something of beauty and light.

I read somewhere that "om, mani, padme, hum" can be translated as "I am in you and you are in me," revealing how interconnected we all are--whether we realize it or not. And not just us as individuals--but how we are connected to the plants and animals, the stars and comets, and how they are connected to us. This continues to be important for me to realize and integrate into my daily life.

So pay attention to nature. It has lots to teach us.

Check here to read more about lotus symbolism.