Lotus (thousand-petalled)
Can blossom only after extensive inner work
August 27th 2014
The thousand-petalled lotus that blossoms at the top of an initiate’s head is a symbol of great beauty, and it is understandable that it would fascinate all those who aspire to spiritual fulfilment. But the path leading to illumination and bliss is a long and difficult one. In order for the petals of the sacred lotus to open, disciples must conquer everything within themselves that causes agitation. If they try to develop this lotus before neutralizing the dark elements in their mind and heart, they will experience shocks and jolts, which will tear the petals. What I mean by this image is that the functioning of their spiritual centres will be disturbed, and instead of tasting the joys of heaven they will go through hell.
A disciple’s inner world starts by resembling a garden full of undergrowth, thistles, thorny plants: these are the instincts, the base and negative desires they harbour. When they have weeded this garden, nothing will hold them back on the path leading up to the light, and then they will feel the lotus’s thousand petals open one by one at the top of their head.