The Lotus Effect

The Lotus blossom, the national flower of India, is famous for the sterling whiteness of its petals. What makes this remarkable is that the lotus thrives in muddy, dirty water. Not hard to spot the spiritual link here. But there's more!

[NOTE: Enhance this sermon by projecting the image of the lotus blossom on a screen. Lotus art can be found on the Internet by using the keywords "lotus blossom." Electron microscope photos of Dr. Barthlott's research are also available on the Internet at: www.botanik.unibonn. de/system/bionik.htm.]

The lotus blossom.

With its almond-shaped petals of dazzling whiteness, the lotus is a flower of catch-your-breath beauty, and is revered throughout the world. It is the national flower of India, a sacred flower in Hinduism and it figures prominently in the lore and practice of Buddhism. No surprise, then, that the lotus also pops up as a corporate symbol and is used to name a variety of commercial products.

Lotus is the name of a car, a perfume, a spreadsheet application, a corporation. It is the design motif of a striking temple in New Delhi. It is a position in yoga meditation techniques.

The lotus is also a well-recognized metaphor for spiritual growth. Here's why. The lotus begins...