The Lotus

“And even if roses could be blue, only the lotus is free to float on the waters of the pond. And in the reflections of the water it can take on any color imaginable. And therefore shall the lotus be my flower of preference.”

This is a quote written by Bart (I don't know his last name) he is a Belgium film maker and a very dear friend of my friend Elizabeth. She sent it to me last night. I read it during of period of not sleeping at about 4 am. I think I'm in love with it.

Between that and a 6 hour yoga class yesterday with Sue it got me thinking about the lotus and the meaning of it.
You see the lotus symbol all the time in Yoga studios, on yoga clothes and all over the place. The lotus is not a religious symbol just as yoga is not a religion or based on any religion. Yoga is in religion. Religion is not in yoga. I just thought I would clarify that, is a common mistake people make. I actually had a really good friend once who wouldn't go to a yoga class because of her religion. It seemed odd to me, because yoga is union. To bring together parts of yourself that were really never separate.

There is no deity to worship in yoga. There isn't a clergy. There aren't any churches or places of worship. It's just yoga. There are so many things related to it. There are a million schools of thought, beliefs, practices. It is so personal and yet when you know someone else who is into it, there is a piece of you that totally understands them. It's probably how surfers just seem to "get" each other.

Anyway, although it is not a religion, I think the thing about it is, how connected you can feel with certain aspects of it. Certain belief systems that stem from the practice. To breathe is the most fundamental part of yoga. To be aware, to be present, to not judge, to be kind to yourself and others, to have compassion, the list goes on and on.

Today I connected with the lotus. Thought I'd share it with you. I mean, it is Sunday. (I'm winking at ya there.)


The lotus flower is one of the most ancient and deepest symbols of our planet.
The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again. Untouched by the impurity, lotus symbolizes the purity of heart and mind. The lotus flower represents long life, health, honor and good luck.

"We were talking - about the space between us all and the people -
Who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion never glimpsing the truth
Then it's far too late when they pass away.

We were talking - about the love we all could share
When we find it - to try our best to hold it there - with our love
With our love we could save the world - if they only knew

Try to realize it's all within yourself - no-one else can make you change
And to see you're really only very small
And life flows on within you and without you.

We were talking - about the love that's gone so cold
And the people who gain the world and lose their soul
They don't know, they can't see - are you one of them?

When you've seen beyond yourself
Then you may find peace of mind is waiting there
And the time will come when you see we are all one
And life flows on within you and without you."

Lotus flower: Symbol of Spiritual Unfoldment
By Swami Kriyananda