In praise of Lotus

       With spring in the air, I'm beginning to entertain my dream of growing my own lotus again. I love lotus for many reasons:- the lotus flower in full blossom is simply beautiful! Even looking at pictures of them will give my mood and spirit a lift. The lotus leaves form such a perfect suport and contrast to the blossoms and are beautiful in an unconspicuous kind of way. The lotus roots grow deep in the mud under water and yet remain untarnished inside. They serve as a delicacy in China and many other oriential countries. They can be eaten either raw or cooked. The Chinese dietricians believe lotus roots as a food nurtures the heart, spleen and blood and also clears excessive heat in the body.
The lotus seeds serve as delicacy and herb at the same time. The tender fresh seeds can be eaten raw and taste amazingly crunchy and delicious. The dried lotus seeds are normally used as herbal remedies for their nurturing properties to the heart, kidneys and spleen. They are also believed to calm the mind and spirit and are often used in junction with other herbs to help with sleep.  Insomnia patients are often prescribed herbal remedies to nurture and strengthen his heart and kidneys because insufficient Chi in the heart and kidney are believed to be one cause for sleep difficulty. But a western doctor will see the problem purely mental or emotional and will often prescribe tranqulizing drugs to restrict the function of the patient's brain.

 Comming back to the theme of lotus again, the lotus flower is seen as a sacred symbol for spiritual enlightenment and liberation by Buddhists. All the Bodhisattvas are often portrayed sitting on a seat of lotus flower in full blossom. Such sanctity of the lotus flower is also echoed in Yoga. In the chakra system, the top chakra (crown chakra, Sahasrara in sankrit) is symbolized by a thousand-petaled lotus flower; this is where the individual soul merges with the Universal Soul so that all seperation comes to an end.