Transform like a Lotus Flower Despite the Mud of Life

lotus flower spiritual symbolism
If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant or weak, return to who you are, here and now, and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.” ~ Masaru Emoto

The lotus flower comes from the mud, dirty water, but it grows into something beautiful.

The lotus is an age-old religious symbol. For Buddhists, the lotus flower symbolises the most exalted state of human, feet rooted in the world of experience. According to Hinduism, within each human is the spirit of the sacred lotus.

My photograph above is from Ubud Bali, snapped one morning after meditation during my initial yoga teacher training. I was still so steeped in grief after my mum’s death, so it felt like a personal message, as well as a universal one.

Being like a lotus is about growing and transforming despite circumstances. We all know that life serves up difficult circumstances – it’s the nature of life. It’s a well-known adage that you can only control your reaction to circumstances you can’t change. In this way, we can work on being our best selves and grow as a person despite circumstances.

We can use yoga to focus on transforming into our best selves, body, mind and life. In fact, each time we roll out the mat we work on transforming ourselves.

  • In yoga we learn to be more mindful and deliberate/move with intention, and this naturally translates to life off the mat.
  • Yoga can show you that you can accomplish things you never thought you could.
  • Through yoga you learn to be content and calm despite circumstances.
  • Because yoga promotes relaxation, we can unveil our true selves from the fog of stress.
  • You learn to live life on purpose, with an open heart, connected to yourself and others.
  • You learn to live more in the moment, instead of the past or the future.
  • You learn to honour yourself and love yourself.

A Short Meditation Using Lotus Mudra

Like prayer pose (Atmanjali Mudra), Lotus Mudra is a symbolic hand gesture used in yoga. The Lotus Mudra suggests heart-opening. It is a symbol of perfection and purity like the flower, which opens to the sun and asks to be given what it needs. To practise the Lotus Mudra, place both hands in front of your chest near the heart so only the little fingers and thumbs touch, as well as the outside edges of your hands.

Sit cross-legged in easy pose with your hands in Lotus Mudra. Sit tall with a straight spine. Take several natural breaths then begin to deepen your breath, lengthening the inhale and the exhale equally. Then on the inhale imagine your heart opening like a lotus flower and on the exhale imagine dwelling in the lotus flower. Repeat for desired period of time.