A Lotus Blooming in the Fire

About this episode

This episode explores the symbolism of a lotus blooming in fire through meditation and Zen teachings.

A lotus blooming in the fire is an image that comes from the Zen tradition. And before I write further on the symbolism of the image or the dharma teachings it evokes—I would like to invite us to just sit with the image of a lotus blooming in the fire. For a moment, let yourself sense, imagine or feel into this image. Notice what you see, feel, hear, experience as you attempt to connect with the image of a lotus blooming in the fire. Now, if you haven’t already bring the image closer in. Sit as, be a lotus blooming in the fire. And stay with it for some time allowing associations, feelings, meanings, sensations to come and go. Returning simply to being a lotus in the fire. When you are ready, you can let the image dissolve. I am curious to hear what you noticed, what happened as you sat with or as a lotus blooming in the fire? The Power of Embodied Imagination To meditate with an image like this, is one form that koan practice can take in the Zen tradition. You sit with an image, becoming the image and learning about it through your direct experience. Notice how an image can contain seeming paradoxes. How can a lotus bloom in fire? Wouldn’t it burn? And yet, here it is. On…

People in this episode

Host: Amy Kisei

Topics covered

• Zen Buddhism
• meditation
• symbolism
• koan practice
• embodied imagination

Keywords

• lotus
• fire
• Zen tradition
• meditation
• koan
• embodied imagination
• sangha

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mud Lotus

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