4 Stages lotus life
"No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering." ~Thich Nhat Hanh
Emergent of life: Spiritual Enlightenment
I have personally experienced and heard beautiful stories of how significant the lotus flower is in Thailand, Laos, and Egypt.
The universal truths are that the lotus flower represents rebirth, creation, life, healing, and spiritual enlightenment.
The spiritual meaning my aunt shared with me will never be forgotten. It put many things into perspective in my own beliefs and behavior. I was living with disappointment that I created in my heart by expecting others to show up; some of my loved ones would decline the invite to join for offerings or good merits at the temple. I wanted to share the spiritual connection during prayers, especially being in challenging situations at that time, hoping they'll desire the same energy. Karma is energy; I firmly believe that it is an unseen method of releasing bad karma/energy and creating good karma/energy. It was also a way to connect to my late grandparents and all souls of light, paying tributes through offerings and water pouring. There are many translations of the lotus flower; I will share the version I first heard of from my aunt, who is active in Thai Buddhism and lives in Mukdahan, Thailand.
4 stages of Lotus Life
I. Muddy
jit mụ̄d / chīwit mụ̄d
The root of a lotus is latched and hooked in mud. Here is where one's mind is "muet". It means that we are living in, or our mind is deep in darkness, with no purpose or value in time, living in challenging surroundings with no way out. Although you can give your best effort to pull someone out of the dark, it may not be their time yet, even if you feel like you are fighting to pull them out. It could be where they need to experience destruction and other lessons in life; we all have to share this stage to understand compassion.
II. Murky
jit mụ̄a / chīwit mụ̄a
Rising above the dark, a lotus flower's stem (peduncle) starts to flourish into murkiness, developing from a muddy place. Although not suffering as much, it is where a person's mind or life is "mụ̄a" meaning it is still difficult to, still unclear and living in deceptions, still unhappy.
III. Manifest
jit s̄ạbs̄n / chīwit s̄ạbs̄n
A lotus sepal and lotus seedpod have carried out the fertilization and formation process; when the root has thickened in the bottom of the mud, it has evolved as the foundation and center of lotus flowers. The lotus sepal floats on top of muddy and murky waters and has formed into a seed pod. It has every potential to bloom into a beautiful flower after emerging from the mud; by providing penetration, a proper amount of light, and care. The analogy behind this is a person can be "s̄ạbs̄n", which means the mind and life are in a stage with perceptions between two realms: confusion or clarity. The mind is deciphering if it wants to look back at the known (familiarity) or the ahead into the unknown (unfamiliar). On the other hand, one's mind can manifest in a nurturing environment once one decides to change. Like a closed bud of the lotus flower, it's only time before one bloom and reaches the light.
IV. Metta
jit s̄̄ẁāng / chīwit s̄̄ẁāng
The lotus flower has transcended into purity from mud, through murky waters, to blossoming beautifully above everything beneath it. Amidst the suffering, "s̄̄ẁāng" translates to brightness, awakening, and realization; life is more apparent, with purpose. It represents one's mind has transformed by rising above murkiness to light. This transformation symbolizes truth, healing, strength, nonattachment, clarity, and wisdom. Through our dark experiences, we are at a point in our lives to help lift others from the dark and the low. This stage is mettā; it is the Sanskrit Pali word for loving, kindness, and positive energy.
Translation:
jit = mind
chīwit = life
mụ̄d = darkness
mụ̄a = cloudiness
s̄ạbs̄n = confusion
s̄̄ẁāng= brightness
The lotus flower has given me purpose and reasons to climb back up when I feel I'm in a murky place.
A lotus flower that peaks back up in sunlight after going under the water at nightfall, there is always beauty and light after dark.
I have felt only elegant and heavenly vibrations in the presence of the lotus flowers, knowing this is where I discovered my own strength and beauty in the dark.
Meditation and Prayer
Meditation
s̄māṭhi - sa-ma-thi, is meditation.
To engage in reflection, concentration, and introspection of our inner world.
Science proves that meditation helps slow down brain waves and lead to positive energy. Meditation helps us focus on the breath, listen to our heart and body, and care for and know the mind. Meditation helps us regulate our emotions and to become more present. The power of meditation shifts our attention and awareness. It is as easy as breathing in and breathing out to create ease in our mind, yet a very underdeveloped skill.
"Neuroscientist says the brain makes decisions before we are aware of them. That's what happens in an untrained mind, things are buried down in many layers. You're aware of them only when the influence starts coming up through the layers. Whereas if you've been meditating, you begin to peel those layers away and you can see sometimes that the mind has made decisions and pretend it hasn't. Especially if you've made up your mind to do something good and a part of the mind that says no, I'd rather not...."
- Thanissaro Bhikkhu aka Tun Ajahn Geoff
Metta Forest Monastery Morning Talks
Monks at Metta Monastery
Offerings and Meditation.
Praying
To pray is Xṭhis̄ʹṭ̄hān, ah-thi-than.
The purpose is to free the mind from intrusive thoughts. Praying provides strength to our souls, allowing us to recreate enlightenment. It is also a way of creating good deeds and merits for spirits; we do this by pouring water on the ground to honor the dead and connect through mother nature. Finally, praying allows us to connect and be aligned spiritually, focus on an intention, and even heal emotionally.
Wai is pressing your palms together (with or without incense) with your fingertips upward and bringing them close to your chest, greeting others, or praying while raising your hands with a slightly bowed head.
Researchers show that complicated chemicals are processed when we pray and that it helps us rewrite the neural connections in our brain, which helps us see the world differently. In addition, praying calms down our nervous system and energizes our heart and mind.
Praying creates faith and belief for better days than the one we are currently experiencing. Praying gives us purpose and a sense of direction in our life. When we can't change the circumstances around us, we pray to change our emotions. Pray to give thanks for all we have and for all that we wish for.
Beautiful Lotus Flowers in Thailand
Nakhon Phanom
Nakhon Phanom
Nakhon Phanom
Mukdahan
Nakhon Phanom
Nakhon Phanom
Ayutthaya
Nakhon Phanom
Ayutthaya
Lotus Pond
Lotus for Praying
Ayutthaya
Lotus for Praying
Lotus for Praying
Lotus for Praying
Listening to Inner Voices
Meditation
Meditation
Meditation
I have been practicing mettā, mindfulness and movement meditation. Sweeping is a simple yet an intentional and powerful form of meditation where movement directs us into solitude and a deeper connection with oneself. Sweeping is a mental focus process, it is mindless and that is the point, or a mindfulness task.
I found comfort in sweeping leaves at the monastery; the sound of rustling leaves and swishing broom was soothing to my entire being. I soaked myself in these sound waves, soft yet strong enough to unblock my soul. It allowed me to slow down my mind, disconnect and detach from everyone and everything I felt so attached to, and go inward towards my inner world. For me, the sweeping analogy is; that if humans and plants can exchange energy, is it possible that I am transferring the unpleasantness in my life to these leaves I am sweeping away? Can it be true then that I am charging the energy of all the tranquil nature surrounding me?
Sweeping away my karma to create a new path towards enlightenment.
I have incorporated visualization mediation; there are many methods, we must first start with one and be consistent.
Praying
Meditation
Meditation
I found peace in praying; it helped me focus on my intentions and helped create good energy, even if it was momentarily.
I learned at a very young age to pray. In desperation, when I felt unheard or unloved (by myself or others), it was a way to connect with the voices inside of me. Likewise, prayer provides a gateway to communicate with the universe and my ancestral spirit guides. When we've done all that we could do, cried all of the tears, we could cry, pray and have faith.
Praying gives inner self-support when all else is sinking; I prayed for guidance to direct and steer me on a different path than the one I knew and was on. To guide me away from a way that didn't feel right in my heart and felt wrong. To show me away from the poor choices I was making and guide me to better ones.
It doesn't matter how you pray, and sometimes it isn't easy, but praying is something beyond us, a gateway to something greater.
Praying is powerful and always help align me with purpose.
Movement Meditation
Leaves of Life
Broom and Bloom
Broom and Bloom
Just like these leaves
we grow, and we fall
many thoughts can create a messy path
but it helps us navigate and do the work
as no one can do so on our behalf
Broom and Bloom
Broom and Bloom
Broom and Bloom
With this broom
I sweep away all of yesterday
to clear the mind and pray
when life leads me astray
so, I can bloom in each and every day
Serene Scene
Broom and Bloom
Serene Scene
A soulful journey always starts with much messiness and feels overwhelming, but each step, each move, is part of developing spiritual growth. Through practice, you move closer to a serene scene.