Commonly the
lotus symbolizes purity, of what comes before, of what is original. Original is emptiness, whiteness until it is
sullied by emotions and prejudices acquired over the lifetime.
In quest of
the lotus will be a constant reminder of the need to stay above the muck of
prejudice, anger, greed, delusion, judgment, envy, arrogance.
It all started
with a realization as I came into unwitting possession of a lotus bracelet
immediately upon descent from Taktshang /Tiger’s Nest. I felt like this lotus symbol was thrust upon
me as a reminder of how I have arisen and can arise from the muck of arrogance
and delusion.
I wish to
pursue this lotus symbol, as an extension of the spiritual moments I gained
during the hike to Taktshang.
The hike was
walking meditation, as I have to concentrate on deep breathing and body
movements to enable ease of hiking because of the steep ascent and high
altitude.
It was a
spiritual journey, as it elevates the spirituality, which is a consciousness,
of the mind, body and spirit. I felt I was
fighting demons of comparison, superiority or smugness, as I was a little
fitter than others.
At the start of the ascent I was awashed with a
consciousness when I was given a pony named Nogyen (which sounds like no
coveting in my dialect) to ride for the first part of the hike, as if borne on
a beast that is a reminder of the burden of desire and coveting. Then when I returned to the foothills, I
unwittingly sought out a bracelet with lotus symbol, and the significance hit
again. I felt as if I have been able to
emerge like a lotus flower, symbol of the purity of soul and mind. I had tried to practice wu-sense and
consciousness, shedding negativities as I made the ascent and descent, and
finally ended the hike with a heightened sense and consciousness of pure intent.
