There is a very old tale that is called the Story of the Lotus Flower. It first shows up in Buddhism and later became a part of the narrative of growth and transformation in many yoga traditions.

The beauty found in Mother Nature offers us a deep well of wisdom. All of the flowers have a sacred meaning–the sunflower symbolizes long life and abundance; a pink rose is gratitude and peace; the lily is the pure messenger of Love–often you will see in traditional religious art the angel Gabriel offering the lily; and the belle of the south, the magnolia, not only is one of the sweetest fragrances, but it stands for perseverance.

The Miracle of the Lotus Flower

Written and read by Deana Vassar with quote source material by Goldie Hawn.

The lotus has been called the beautiful survivor. Maybe you can relate to that. The lotus pushes its way through the mud, rising toward the sun’s light. As the lotus bud first emerges at the surface of the water and basks in the sunlight, the first petal opens.

A lotus is a survivor, it rises from the dark muddy waters and finds the warmth and nourishment of the Light. As the bud hits the surface of the water and drinks in the sunlight, that single petal opens, signifying an achievement. Oftentimes in our busy lives, we overlook the smallest achievements. Each petal that opens is an achievement of survival, life, and opportunity. A lotus has strength and beauty, it is able to overcome all of its environmental obstacles and show the world its beauty.

Famous Jewish Buddhist Goldie Hawn says this precious bloom is her favorite. She writes: “The lotus is the most beautiful flower, whose petals open one by one. But it will only grow in the mud. In order to grow and gain wisdom, first, you must have the mud — the obstacles of life and its suffering. … The mud speaks of the common ground that humans share, no matter what our stations in life. … Whether we have it all or we have nothing, we are all faced with the same obstacles: sadness, loss, illness, dying and death. If we are to strive as human beings to gain more wisdom, more kindness, and more compassion, we must have the intention to grow as a lotus and open each petal one by one.”

According to one story, the muddier and more opaque the water the more resplendent the Lotus flower when it rises to life, to the water’s surface–a gift for all who see. May the muck and struggle of our lives yield such beauty.

Deana Vassar, Awakenings Health, 2021
Quote source: Goldie Hawn, via Goodreads.com, “A Lotus Flower Grows in the Mud”