My own life has been full of pain and struggle, not surprisingly, few can avoid it in this life...and mine is relatively mild compared to many. However, just like the lotus flower that blossoms in mud, I see the beauty that has come from my struggles. I'm determined to treat my own suffering and pain with more respect and patience knowing that in time something precious and unique will unfold from it. That doesn't answer the question to the amount of global suffering there is, I'm certainly not prepared to answer all of the world's questions. But for myself, I'm content to know within my own little realm of the world, I'll do my best to blossom within the space and circumstances I've been tossed in.
On the same note, as I walked the beach this morning I was surprised to see the mess from the recent storm. The waves overtook the road in front of my condo and filled it with sand and rocks. There was a lady outside actually shoveling her driveway, that's not a sight you see often at the beach. Some of the road was actually removed, the cement torn up. The beach was so full of rocks in places you couldn't walk on it. This is normally a very clean and sandy beach, even winter storms rarely create such a mess here. One of the most interesting things I noticed was that the rocks had rolled up from the ocean in groups. There are large piles of rocks in some areas and in other areas none. This is similar to the shells I find, they often come in groups during different seasons. All the little ones that look like angel wings, or sand dollers, or the ones with ridges...if you find one, you are likely to find another close by. They tend to run with a tribe, just like people. In the stormy mass of rocks today I found delicate shells, I didn't see any on the sand, just buried in the mound of rocks. The lotus in the mud. Even in a mess, there is always something beautiful to be found...you just have to look a little harder sometimes.
The documentary AWAKE in the Dream has a powerful message about mindfulness, being awake and aware of the moment....seeing the lotus in the mud. It isn't enough to blossom, we need to actually be aware enough to see the blossom. It's so easy to walk right by a beautiful flower or shell buried in rocks...or to dismiss or discount our little triumphs. But part of loving ourselves and loving others is being in the present moment and witnessing our own experiences. This is the joy we seek...presence of mind and body. A lofty goal for sure, but one worth working towards.
“…Without mud, you cannot have a lotus flower. Without suffering, you have no ways in order to learn how to be understanding and compassionate…. Happiness is the lotus flower, and the suffering is the mud. So the practice is how to make use of the suffering, make use of the mud, to create the flower, the happiness, and this is possible.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
The Story of the Lotus Flower
"The lotus flower is a beautiful flower that can be found all over the world. But the start of this flower’s life is not as beautiful as one might imagine. It’s unlike many other flowers. When the lotus first begins to sprout, it is under water, making its home in lakes and ponds in areas where the water remains fairly still on the surface. But underneath the surface, the lotus is surrounded by mud and muck and by fish, by insects, and simply dirty, rough conditions.
Despite these conditions, the lotus flower maintains strength, and pushes aside each of these dirty obstacles as it makes its way to clearer surfaces. At this time, the lotus is still just a stem with only a few leaves, and a small flower pod. But in time, the stem continues to grow, and the pod slowly surfaces above the water, into the clean air, finally freeing itself from the harsh life conditions below. It is then that the lotus slowly opens each beautiful petal to the sun, basking in the worldly beauty surrounding it. The lotus flower is ready to take on the world. Despite being born into dark, murky conditions, where hope for such beautiful life seems dubious, the lotus grows, rises above adversity. Ironically, this same dirty water washes its surface clean. As the lotus opens each petal to the air, not a stain or spot of mud remains externally. The inner lotus too, has never seen a drop of mud or dirty water. It is pure, and bright, and beautiful.
In Buddhism, the bud of the lotus symbolizes potential. The lotus flower represents an awakening, spiritual growth, and enlightenment. Just as the lotus flower emerges from the water clean, the lotus also represents purity of body, speech, and mind. The lotus could be thought of as an awakened mind, which grows naturally toward the warmth and light of truth, love and compassion. The lotus may appear fragile on the surface, but it is flexible and strong, securely anchored under the surface of the water."
