Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum The jewel is in the lotus.
As the sound of the mantra fades,
We aim our focus at relaxing the body,
Deliberately releasing any tension in the way that best serves us,
As we move into a comfortable,
Yet supported position that allows for little to no distractions from the physical form.
If you so choose,
I offer the space to sit in Padmasana,
Lotus pose,
For this practice as well,
But know it is not required.
As we continue to relax,
As we continue to root our mind and body into the awareness of meditation,
Allow the focus to slowly shift to our breath,
Our natural gauge of one's internal atmosphere.
As Thich Nhat Hanh said,
Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness,
Which unites your body to your thoughts.
Take notice of its cadence.
Take notice of where in the body it is moving into.
Now focus on slowing it down,
Extending it at both ends,
Breathing in through the nose and deep into the belly.
Feel it expand into all sides of the body,
Shoulders remaining still and relaxed.
Be mindful of any subtle changes this intentional use of the breath brings.
The lotus flower has been symbolically important across history.
The ancient Egyptians believed that lotuses were symbolic of creation,
Strength and power.
In Buddhism,
It is seen as a representation of life,
Spirituality and rebirth.
In Hinduism,
Of prosperity,
Fertility and beauty.
Regardless of the flower's environment and the muddy water it is rooted in,
The lotus rises above it all to bloom in beauty facing the sun.
This is symbolic of overcoming the material world and emerging from the muddy waters of suffering to reach spiritual enlightenment and wisdom.
We are also reminded that without the mud there can be no lotus,
But the lotus remains untainted by the mud.
This essential Buddhist scripture serves as a reminder that suffering and happiness are not mutually exclusive.
Without one,
You cannot have the other.
As we move into the independent parts of our meditation today,
There are few ways we can meditate on the lotus flower.
By repeating the mantra I recited at the beginning,
Om Mani Padme Hum,
The jewel is in the lotus.
By picturing a lotus flower in your mind's eye,
Watching as it emerges from the murky water,
The petals slowly open one by one with the breath and holding this image there.
By reflecting on what this flower may mean to you or a quality of it you wish to manifest within yourself,
Or in any other way of your choosing,
Whatever you decide on,
Know these next few moments are yours.
You are supported in this experience and I will bring you back when it is time to transition out of this space together.
This is the beginning of the meditation.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
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You are supported in this experience.
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You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
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You are supported in this experience.
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You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
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You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
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You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
You are supported in this experience.
Slowly begin to release the practice of the last little while.
You are surrounded in this experience.
You are surrounded in this experience.
Khalil Gibran The unique symbol that is the lotus flower is universal to us all.
Not just to those of religion.
After all,
No one can lay claim to the lotus.
The most beautiful and symbolically rich flowers of the natural world.
We will close out our practice much like we began.
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum The jewel is in the lotus.
Until next time and with love,
Namaste.
Thank you.
