The lotus symbolizes resilience, thriving in adversity, transformation, beauty, new beginnings, inner calm and harmony, perseverance, purity and detachment.  Out of the mud of our struggles, pain and confusion, the lotus flower of our inner heart will spontaneously grow.  Rise above the impure muddy waters and grow into something more beautiful. Yet at the same time, be fully grounded. Just as the muddy water sustains the lotus flower, in the same way, the gritty realities of life help us to bloom and reach our potential. So, don't just look at the muddy water; appreciate the beautiful lotus that blooms totally unblemished and untouched by it. The journey of the Lotus from muddy waters to a blossoming flower is a metaphor for the soul’s journey from ignorance to spiritual awakening and depends on the quality of our thought for our beauty and growth.

Thoughts - Whatever thoughts we place in our awareness eventually creates our personal world and experience of life. All problems start in our awareness....and so do all solutions. "I am a soul. Peace is my nature".  Peace is the inner nature of humankind. When you find it within yourself, you will find it everywhere."

Thoughts - Consciously choose the quality of your thoughts – accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, and clean up the waste. The traffic of thoughts in your mind should not pile up. Ensure your thoughts are positive and your feelings towards others are filled with good wishes.

Thoughts - Problems are exacerbated by a mind that has weak and negative thoughts. Without spiritual power, we are unable to remove the problem at its root. It would be like trying to stop floodwaters with a box of tissues.

Thoughts - Tiredness comes from thinking about everything I have to do. Stop thinking; just do it!

Thoughts - The energy of our pure thoughts has the strength to heal the Earth. Just as renewable power sustains our planet, let the light of wisdom and brotherhood sustain our world. When we uplift our consciousness, we uplift nature.

Thoughts - You become whatever you think about deeply. Take time to find that quiet and peaceful place inside and happiness will stay in your heart forever. Think only about spiritual love and happiness. Feel these values as part of your life, leave the mud of body consciousness and become a true spiritual lotus.   Om Shanti.

Sister Chirya is a student and teacher with               
the Brahma Kumari's World Spiritual University               
for over 40 years. She is published globally.