“Om Mani Padme Hum” – “the jewel in the lotus of the heart”. This mantra reminds us that inside us all is a spark of divinity. Nature provides countless metaphors to teach us the truth about our being and about living life. The lotus is one of the most beautiful and profound of these metaphors. Much is written about the symbolism and meaning of this great flower, mostly from Egyptian and Hindu traditions. “Theosophy interprets this symbolism as alluding to the unfoldment of the inner divine potential, and two parallels between spiritual and physical planes and between cosmic creation and spiritual rebirth.” (The Lotus, Amanda F. Rooke).
The most powerful guidance from the lotus can be appreciated most readily from the simple perspective of its natural form and pattern. The seed of the lotus already has within it perfectly formed embryo leaves and whole plantlets– including fully formed flowers! This reveals to us the existence of inner divinity, perfection, and wholeness awaiting unfoldment and full expression.
The second powerful metaphor of the lotus is that it responds to the presence or absence of light and warmth, submerging itself by night and rising from the watery depths at dawn, symbolically “worshipping the sun.” “The lotus models many-faceted man reaching up to the divine, with its roots in the mud of material life, a stalk passing through the spiritual realms of the sky. Earth, water, and air may also stand for the material, intellectual, and spiritual worlds.” (The Lotus, Amanda F. Rooke).
The way of the lotus is a teacher and guide to us as we consider “following our own inner compass.” The lotus shows by example that we as physical beings in the material world have the hologram of our perfection and divinity as our center, our core, our seed. It also beautifully reveals with each new sunrise the eternal natural flow toward the light– no matter how muddy the waters may be. The lotus reminds us that we are Spirit having a human experience and that life is truly lived from the inside out.
Particularly in this modern time/space we experience a constant overflow of outer directives and enticements via media, other people, and the echoing of these in our own minds. It is so very easy not to hear or listen to our own “still, small voice” within. But herein lies the essence of our “inner compass“. Here is the divine seed of us gently pushing forth for authentic unfoldment. This voice always answers, “Who am I and what am I here for?” We are inundated with the “outer” – research, news, self-help books, motivational speakers, advice, education, opinion, etc. But how often in daily life are we reminded of the “inner”? Where are we encouraged and supported to connect with “the inner compass”?
This is the premiere issue of Holistic Discoveries, a magazine devoted to the essential wisdom within. As a graduate of Journeys of Wisdom Holistic Coaching Institute, I welcome you to this family of seekers. Seven years ago Spirit guided me to Columbus to study at Journeys of Wisdom and to make my home here. Having no prior plan to re-locate to this area, I simply followed my own “inner compass” and this is where it led me. My studies in Holistic Coaching unfolded for me a most significant professional transformation as well. My work as a Holistic Coach™, teacher and facilitator feels more like creative play as there is great joy in manifesting and co-creating which is the essence of my journey with clients as well as with colleagues.
