Symbols to Guide Us

The lotus flower is a powerful symbol. It has tremendous meaning for me because of my personal experience with it. It brought me into a new phase of soul development without my conscious knowledge of this. When I think back on how far I've come since I first saw the lotus, it astounds me.

Some time during the latter part of 2003 and into 2004, I began seeing a white lotus in my mind's eye. It would just slowly materialize out of nowhere, glowing softly, like an old projector turned on by an unknown source. Whether walking across a room or quietly relaxing in my bedroom, the white lotus would just appear. I knew it had some association with eastern traditions, but I had no intimate knowledge of its spiritual meaning or eastern traditions, in general. Being the creative individual that I am and subject to all kinds of inspiration, I assumed I was responding to some sudden awareness of its beauty. "Wouldn't it be nice to have a lotus poster for my bedroom," I kept saying to everyone around me. "Do you think I should get one?" I never bought the poster.

Of course, it had nothing to do with my creative work, although, one might argue that because I am a creative, the vision came as it did. No, I believe it heralded the arrival of Buddhism and other eastern religions into my life three years later. It announced a growing interest in meditation and the heart transformation that was to follow. A major shift in consciousness was coming. My third eye was opening. But I had no idea at the time.

Now, I show the lotus everywhere. I love this symbol and I love its message. As hard as it is to live, I am dedicated to harmonizing the spiritual with the physical in my own life. In fact, I must. I am not a practicing Buddhist. I don't practice any religion. I study them all. But as I continue to grow in spiritual awareness--my telepathic energy increasing, becoming attuned to the collective awakening--I remember how the white lotus glowed as a magnificent beacon behind my third eye, pointing the way to higher consciousness.

Embrace the symbols in your life. They have meaning and purpose. While they have no real power unto themselves, they do communicate and they do inspire.