and Lotus

There are probably a thousand layers to the significance of the lotus in terms of spiritual metaphor (just like that top chakra, which is another layer, natch), but I like one simple, common analogy in particular. That is, a lotus seed begins in muck and mire and darkness, at the bottom of the pond. Yet it finds nutrient in that, enough to grow up and up through clearer water, till finally it breaks the surface, and is illuminated by the sun, to blossom.

So, to follow up on the near enemies described in A Path With Heart, I'll continue drawing from the text using that metaphor. As Kornfield describes, one can fall into shadow by complacency and not being mindful in one's practice, but there is another path out of that besides avoiding it in the first place, and that is to fight fire with fire and rise out of that shadow in turn.

For example, in the muck and mire of confusion and feeling disconnected from the world, one might release the anxiety and fear of the confusion, and in that relaxing feel more open to dispell the suffering of disconnected separation. The lessons learned are the nutrients the lotus seed finds to grow its stalk into the clearer water. In that same vein, even if one somehow rose out of that muck with judgemental aversion to it, in that clearer space (even if it is clarity brought by anger), one might find discriminating wisdom - a "clarity that can help and heal."

And if one finds themselves in that clearer space, even without being mired by confusion or heckled by aversion, one may find themselves grasping at pleasure, turning that natural impulse into unhealthy, excessive desire. But, even in that, one might truly blossom by turning their desire toward a healthier, more balanced path, bringing beauty into the world through energy channeled into creativeness, or sharing their desire for pleasure by compassionate action. And in that, one blooms like a lotus, in full, intense color under the sun, shining with a sun in their heart as well.