Late summer finds fields of water lilies adorning the edges of northern lakes. Alabaster white petals surrounding yellow fringed globes float gracefully on carpets of broad, green leaves. My friend Jim, an underwater photographer, takes pictures of lily buds as they emerge from the lake bed. Rather than reaching directly toward the light like many above ground flowers, lily buds arise in a circular fashion on their delicate green stems. They wind their way skyward leisurely, as if ascending a spiral staircase.

Sometimes our life course seems to follow a similar—circuitous—path as we encounter the same obstacle or difficulty again and again. Yet, since conditions are never exactly the same, we are offered new opportunities to respond to challenges with greater compassion, both to ourselves and others. Like the rising lily bud, our perspective widens and brightens as our field of vision expands.

Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh explains in “No Mud, No Lotus”:

“If we can learn to see and skillfully engage with both the presence of happiness and the presence of suffering, we will go in the direction of enjoying life more…and eventually we will realize that suffering and happiness are not two separate things.”

The lily bud wends its way toward the sun, emerging and blossoming into the light. We too have an unerring desire to illuminate and animate the compassionate human being residing within.

Could you recall a moment of struggle in your life that became a source of growth, understanding and freedom?

-Betsy Schussler

Nhat Hanh, Thich (2014). No Mud, No Lotus: the art of transforming suffering. Parallax Press.

Photos courtesy of: J. H. Arnold, Jimsgibberish.com