Friday, August 17, 2012

Rising Up

And another 3 1/2 months gone! The last time I posted here I talked about how it was time for my blog to evolve. So let the evolution begin!

First step, is some new art. Poor thing can't evolve with the artwork from it's beginning when it's purpose was different. While this isn't the final art (believe me ... this is not the final art! that will evolve too:) it's art for the next step. 

I've been using the name Shining Lotus for a number of things over the years, mostly my yoga business and this blog. And in trying to think of where this blog was going to go I came back to the name, Shining Lotus. 

"Buddhists liken the unfolding of the lotus petals to the unfolding of the divine within the human self. The closed bloom represents the heart with its infinite potential for enlightenment; the open blossom represents the enlightened self. In Buddhism the lotus blossom represents a heart opening. The lotus flower blooms on the surface of the water, with its roots deep below in mud — making it a symbol of light and beauty emerging from darkness."

Basically the lotus flower has its roots in muck and it rises to the surface to bloom radiantly on the water. I love that. Because we all have our roots in muck at some point to some level. And if we can rise out of the muck we can all be creatures of light and beauty. 

So ... drumroll ... the focus of my blog is going to be about rising out of the muck. Because God knows I get mired in some muck. We all do. And I'm going to share how I attempt to rise up. Whether it's through yoga teachings, observations, creative explorations, healthy living, whatever I'm trying, I'm going to share. Sometimes I might share how damn challenging it can be and how sticky and mucky that muck is. Other times I might share how I totally failed and that the poor blossom is still stuck under the water really, really wanting to bloom. And hopefully more often than not I can share something that allowed that lotus blossom to open brilliantly and shine with grace.

Time to look towards the surface and the shining sun ...