The Serenity of a Lotus

In the Chinese culture, the lotus flower is symbol of purity, enlightenment and rebirth.

In Yoga, this is a traditional seated pose that allows yogis and meditators to engage concentration and meditation. By sitting in lotus we are connected firmly to the earth and our roots - just like the lotus flower reaching through the water to bloom in the sun.

Growing in heavily polluted environment, the lotus root takes hold, a shoot starts to search for the sun - symbolize the seeking of knowledge and enlightenment.

This growth reflects the journey if the yogi. We start so bogged down by our names, careers, family history, age, religion, which divide and define us. Like the lotus seed, we may often feel stuck. But one day we hear some simple wisdom that cracks open the shell of the seed, and so our journey begins.

Lotus flower sit serenely on top of the water, without any of their petals touching the polluted canals beneath them. Our own enlightenment is to achieve this serenity.