Kamala, a Purposeful Power Flower

“KAMALA BECOMES ME WHEN I BECOME KAMALA”

Kamala is a synonym in Sanskrit, meaning lotus flower.  This is my own name, which has always inspired me to be  what I am now. I apologize for the brevity, but this flower  symbolizes an important secret to your success and purpose. 

In Hinduism, Kamala is the seat of mighty gods and  goddesses such as Brahma, Vishnu, Ganesha, Lakshmi, and  Saraswathi. Most other deities are depicted holding a lotus in  one of their hands. Here are three popular references to this  flower in the Hindu sacred texts: 

  • Goddess Lakshmi, the giver of wealth, emerged from  the churning of the oceans sitting on a pink lotus while  also holding one. 
  • Goddess Saraswathi, the giver of knowledge, sits on an  immaculate white lotus. 
  • Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe according to  Hinduism, comes into being on the stem of a lotus  attached to Lord Vishnu’s navel.

The lotus has long been associated with Asian traditions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism. In Jainism and 

Buddhism, the lotus is a symbol of purity of heart, speech,  and action. In Egypt, the lotus is a symbol of completion. In my childhood I sometimes wondered why this flower  had such a celebrity status. I was compelled by the natural  researcher in me to investigate the significance of this seemingly fragile yet surprisingly resilient flower. Each time I  recognize its beauty, I am awed! 

A lotus blooms right in the middle of muddy waters. If  you follow the rhythm of the sun to live your life, it keeps  blossoming each day and sleeps beneath the waves at night.  Over the years, I have found many symbolisms associated with  a Kamala—that of purity (it does remain pristinely beautiful  despite the muddy surroundings) revival and enlightenment  (it does submerge into the same murky waters every night  only to bloom beautifully the next morning).

The symbolism that appealed to me the most was that a  lotus is a symbol of transformation. Despite being surrounded  by nothing much but dark and dirty mud, a lotus transforms  itself to something so pristine. This is what keeps me going  each time the going gets tough, when people and circum 

stances challenge me, I have to “become” a Kamala—survive  and transform myself and my surroundings despite what  envelops me. Keep my peace and calm amidst all the noise and  clutter of life. 

Kamala also symbolizes many other things to me. First, the lotus embodies many lives within one life, with  its petals opening in the sun and closing in the dark. Makes  me wonder if it shouldn’t apply to us humans too. Shouldn’t  we, too, show the resilience to bloom anew each time we wilt? Second, it also appears to me as though this pretty little  thing challenges the mud to taint its beauty! I have adopted  this into my life. I try to look at adversities straight in the eye  and emerge as unscathed as I can.

Furthermore, since I’ve had time to build a protective  layer around myself that keeps all unreasonable things and  all unnecessary emotions out, I have developed a lotus-like  protective barrier around me. 

I’ve come to realize that I am the embodiment of Kamala,  which you will understand if you read my life story. I have  relinquished defeat. I have placed my faith in my own abilities  as well as in the universe. 

Goldie Hawn has stated, “A lotus is the most beautiful  flower in the world, whose petals open one by one. People  who strive to acquire more wisdom, kindness, and compassion must have the intention to grow as a lotus and open each  petal one by one.” 

I couldn’t agree more! I have always wanted to change the  world for the better. A lofty goal, but I have remained true to  it. I have altered my paths along the way but never my goal.

BECOME THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE, AS I AM BECOMING A KAMALA