I recently bought myself a beautiful lotus flower necklace. I saw it in a shop, and it was so pretty, I decided I had to have it. Complete with a moonstone in the centre, I loved it.
When I got home, I thought: ‘Mmm, I don’t actually know much about the lotus flower, I wonder if it represents anything in particular? And the first thing I came across was this quote:
“There is the mud, and there is the lotus that grows out of the mud. We need the mud, in order to make the lotus.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
So that answered my question. The lotus flower is indeed a very significant visual representation of an important spiritual principle: that for your soul to really grow, you have to know darkness as well as light.
Let me explain.
In essence, the lotus flower represents spiritual awakening – it has to get through a heck of a lot of mud before it reaches the surface and can bask in the sun and truly flower. It is a symbol that has been used for time immemorial in all sorts of cultures, from Ancient Egypt to Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In each tradition it has a slightly different representation, but ultimately, its fight to get through the mud reminds us to keep striving and reaching up towards the light even when things are a real, dark, struggle.
Any of us who has been through any kind of darkness can relate to this. Whether it’s divorce, loss, betrayal, ill health, financial ruin – whatever the battle might have been – when you have made it to the other side, you are a changed person. You see the world differently. You are wiser, stronger and more powerful than you were before. And, when you have healed, are often grateful for the teachings and lessons that you have received.
This is your awakening.
So if you, right now, are in the mud; know that it does and will end, and it all has a purpose. You too will get through it and blossom into your your best, most shining, most brilliant, soul-beautiful authentic self. You too will be lotus.