Poets and artists have found inspiration in the beauty of nature for thousands of years. When I was a depressed sixteen years old, I found inspiration and strength in a lotus flower (not literally inside one, I wouldn’t have fit, even back then). You might think I am being a sentimental fantasist, but it’s true. Something about the lotus flower shook me to my core.
The Ancient Egyptians saw the lotus flower as a symbol of rebirth, they saw the lotus flower slip back into the water at night then reemerge with the sun the following morning, its petals unsoiled. Buddhists associate the lotus flower with faith and spiritual awakening. Meanwhile, in Hinduism, the lotus flower symbolises beauty, eternity, purity and spirituality. Many Hindu Gods and Goddesses, including Goddess Lakshmi, can be seen sitting within a lotus flower (she can fit inside) or holding one.
Being a teenager is tough, becoming an adult is rarely an easy ride. In those days I felt disgusted in my own skin, a blanket of dark mist felt over my life. I was convinced that I would be this way forever. I thought that I was destined to be permanently stained by that dark time, I felt broken and lost, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if I bled black. I thought that those who had wronged me had forever tainted my soul and I would never be free of the darkness they had inflicted upon me.
Then I read something in a book about Eastern philosophy which sparked the light of hope, I read about lotus flowers.
“As a lotus flower is born in water, grows in water and rises out of water to stand above it unsoiled, so I, born in the world, raised in the world having overcome the world, live unsoiled by the world”
-The Buddha
The lotus flower grows in the mud, travels through murky depths but blooms above the water towards the infinite sky, it’s petals pristine and untouched. If you’ve had a muddy past, it doesn’t mean that you have to stay in the darkness, with love and compassion for yourself, you can blossom. Yes, sometimes the lotus flower may slip back into the water but you can rise again, re-emerging with a pure heart. The dark earthy water nourishes the lotus flower, just as our suffering make us stronger and wiser.
Lotus flowers made me see myself in a different light. I knew one day I would be able to shed the pain and emerge from it like a butterfly from its chrysalis (or a lotus flower from dirty water). I haven’t forgotten what happened, I never will, but I feel free and clean.
Our experiences mold us to make us who we are today. Without them we would have been hollow personalities…..all that pain is worth it if it makes a person who they are today.
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I totally agree 🙂
I hope you are well!
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Bonjour! 🙂
Why you were sad? What happened in your life that you went into depression? You often mention that you were very sad and in depression in your life. I would like to know the reason for it.
If you had the right to vote you would most probably vote for BJP since their symbol is also a Lotus!! 😀
Cheers!
RD
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Hello RD,
Depression doesn’t always have a cause, I do speak about triggers often. I have been depressed on many occasions in my life, it’s obvious that this particular incident I don’t want to disclose, otherwise I would have written it in the post itself.
I would never vote for a political party based on it’s symbol.
Hope you are well,
Lauren
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I guess pretty everyone had to go through a tough time as a teenager.. Some haven’t had as many problems as others; still it was a lesson which we had to learn. Mistakes & hard times let us grow and realise what life is all about! I was a veeeery chubby girl, mobbing was a daily topic, I was insecure and felt lost. The worst is when you start to realise that there are so many ‘fake persons’, especially ‘fake friends’ on earth .. it really breaks your heart!
Your lotus-story is heart touching and an awesome example how to win strengh and hope back! Stay strong girl, don’t care what others say and live your life! Love, Maike xxx ❤
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Hi Maike,
Thank you for your lovely comment! Big hug to you!!
Yes, teenage years often produce fake friends but I guess over time we learn to see who our true friends are!
Lots of love and strength to you!!! xxx
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lotus is a symbol of arising from difficulty and making ones own identity.in the Bhagwat Geeta it has clearly been said that only ones work defines ones identity .
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Thanks for the info! 🙂
Take care
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Beautiful story and inspiring!
Lots of love,
Ellen
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Thank you so much, Ellen!! 😀
Lots of love,
Lauren xxx
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Beautiful writing, I love the inspiration you have
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Thank you so much, Tina ❤ xxx
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Hi.Lauren, Hope you are fine.
Ordeals make us stronger. So be happy.:)
” If you can always smile at life , life will always smile at you.’
– The Mother
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Thank you so much, Snigha!
I hope you are well, I am fine!
Take care ❤
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Thanks for a wonderful post, Lauren! I learned a lot about the lotus and what it represents-I had no idea. Take care of yourself. You’re a very special person and have so much to offer. Susan
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Awwwww thank you so much, Susan!!!!
So lovely of you to say that! Take care, lots of love xxx
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I love how you still find positives in everything around you. It was an wonderful post, dear.
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Thank you so much!!!!! xxxx
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Good one. Keep it up. I read in your last blog about the bad comments. I would suggest just neglect it. Don’t stop or reduce writing blog due to this.
Thanks
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Thank you so much!
I am trying not to let it demotivate me! Thanks again, I hope you are well!
Take care,
Lauren
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Very well-written indeed. It reminded me of the book by Goldie Hawn (entitled “A Lotus Flower Grows In Mud”). Coincidentally Goldie Hawn also found the inspiration from Lotus Flower during the darkest moments of her life. I had posted an inspirational para from this book at my blog, little over a year ago. Pls feel free to see that inspirational quote, if you wish to at the link: http://deodatusblog.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/favorite-inspirational-quote-on-perseverance-by-goldie-hawn/
It’s true that great minds do think alike. Cheers Lauren!
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Hey Deo!
Wow, I really much read that book and your blog about it! Thank you so much for the info!! Wow, really great!
I hope you are well 😀
Take care,
Lauren
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Thanks Lauren. I think the correct title of Goldie’s book is “A Lotus in the mud”. Also worthwhile to note that Goldie is known to have been influenced by Buddhism and Buddha’s philosophies, which may explain the thoughts being connected to Lotus Flower…just a thought! Hope that all is well with you. Cheers!
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Hey Deo,
I am definitely going to check it out!!! Thank you so much!
Have a great day!
Lauren
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🙂 Make a great day!
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@Lauren
Do you know that Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, emerged out of a lotus which sprouted from the naval of Lord Vishnu. That is why Vishnu is also called Padmanabh ( the lord from whose naval sprouted the Lotus). Here is a video of that:
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Hey Friend,
Yes, my husband told me this story! So lovely. Thank you so much for the video, I love it!
I hope you are well!
Lauren
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Omg we have so much in common. I used to paint lotuses all the time and I even thought of getting a lotus tattoo. I have a lotus devoted Pinterest board! Lol!!!
I don’t know if you are into tattoos but I think if you ever do, a lotus one would look fabulous on you!
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NO FREAKING WAY!
Actually, I had an obsession with drawing lotus flowers in mind of getting a tattoo of one… ask my Mum, like obsession!
I ended up getting another tattoo with a similar meaning (I’ll tell you about it privately haha).
xxx
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🙂
Here is my pinterest board:
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Thanks for sharing ❤ I hope you are having a fab time in India! xx
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I know the mythological Lotus tree isn’t a Lotus flower, but I believe the Lotus tree is supposed to produce beautiful Lotus-like flowers. There is a myth told by the Roman poet Ovid. The nymph Lotis, was the beautiful daughter of the god, Neptune, god of sea. During a festival that Lotis attends, the god Priapus has lecherous intentions toward her. She invokes the gods to protect her and they answer her prayers by turning her into a Lotus tree.
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Oh wow, thanks for telling me about this, Kimberly! Very interesting! xx
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Before the world was created, Brahma and Vishnu wandered over the formless ocean arguing about who was the god of all.
“I am the god of all,” said Brahma to Vishnu, “for I created you.”
“If you created me,” replied Vishnu, “then who created you?”
Just then a pillar of light appeared, stretching up into the highest heavens and down into the lowest depths of the ocean.
“If you created everything, ” Vishnu continued, “then who created this pillar of light?”
Brahma was troubled.
“Let us find out,” he said.
The gods instantly changed into animals. Brahma became a giant swan and Vishnu became a giant turtle. They set off in opposite directions to find the source of the pillar of light. The two gods flew and swam for a thousand years but neither of them reached either the top or the bottom of the pillar of light.
They returned to the surface of the formless ocean, agreeing finally that there existed a god who was greater than them both.
Just then, Shiva stepped out of the pillar of light as the sound of OM assaulted the skies.
Vishnu and Brahma fell on their knees in worship.
“My brothers,” said Shiva, “stand up. We are now complete.”
Then starting to dance and to bang upon on his drum, Shiva called,
“Let creation begin.”
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Wow, I love you retelling of the story!
Thank you so much, friend! xx
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Beautifully expressed. Just as a lotus is able to grow and bloom in mud, so, I am sure, you are able to rise out of your negative experiences and shine! 🙂
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Thank you so much, Roshni!!! xx
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A lovely, well spoken post! I also didn’t know much about the lotus and related symbolism and inspiration, other than eating it in Japan! I like the shape of the root when sliced. I will be seeing lotus through fresh eyes now. Thank you!
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Ooooh I really want to try some!!! Take care xx
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Is it commonly eaten where you are?
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I don’t think so!!!
I’ve never seen it around xx
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In Japan, you can find it sliced in liquid or fresh (kind of) in the grocery section. I can’t say I’ve seen it in Canada but it’s also not something I’ve looked for. While I like it when I’ve eaten it in sauces that someone else has prepared, my own attempts were not particularly… edible, which didn’t inspire me to try again.
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Oh wow, interesting!
I know that it looks beautiful! Happy New Year!! xxx
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It is! Well, the bagged version is not my favorite but fried and in stews, it’s good. Happy New Year to you too! We had a low key event – normal with a babe in the house. 😀 How about you?
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Beautiful sentiments.
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Thank you so much! 🙂
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Circumstances don’t cause depression, it is our reaction to the circumstances which causes it. Lotus knows ( or learns early), not to react to the circumstances.
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And sometimes no circumstances at all cause depression, it just grows by itself 🙂
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