“Lotus therapy”
Inle Lake, Myanmar. November 2019 (11 photos)
This is Part 9 of my posts about Myanmar, and Part 12 of my posts about my near month-long visit to Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore in November 2019.
The lotus flower is a cherished symbol across multiple Eastern traditions, including Buddhism and Hinduism. Growing naturally in ponds, the lotus starts out rooted deep in mud and scum. In order to blossom, it must make its way through the murky water until it finally breaks the surface. In time it emerges and blooms in the sun, beautiful and whole.
Because of its unique transformation, the lotus has long been regarded as a symbol of enlightenment, purity, rebirth, and triumph over obstacles. In Buddhism, the religion of Myanmar, the journey of the lotus is said to mirror our own spiritual journeys. The lotus appears frequently in Buddhist mythology, art, and scripture. And it is found in abundance at Inle Lake, particularly on the waterway that joins Inle Lake to Samkar Lake.
“Floating with the lotuses”
Coming across a large patch of lotuses, my pilot turned off the motor and allowed the longboat to drift for a while. Naturally I took plenty of photos.
“Lotus flowers”
“Like the lotus flower that is born out of mud, we must honor the darkest parts of ourselves and the most painful of our life’s experiences, because they are what allow us to birth our most beautiful self.”
– Debbie Ford
“Lotus duet”
“Just like the lotus we too have the ability to rise from the mud, bloom out of the darkness and radiate into the world.”
– Unknown
“Lotus magic”
“The lotus flower is a reminder of the beauty that comes from change, the magic that a new beginning brings, and the seed of potential that’s buried in the most unlikely places.”
– Jennifer Williamson
“In the lotus garden”
“If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.”
– Masaru Emoto
“Serenity now”
“The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud.”
– Buddhist proverb
“Be like a lotus”
“Be like a lotus. Let the beauty of your heart speak. Be grateful to the mud, water, air and the light.”
― Amit Ray
“Welcome to Samkar Lake”
After traversing the lotus field and arriving at Samkar Lake, these two young girls presented me a lotus flower. Yes, I posted this photo before, but it just seems appropriate to post it again.
“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day…”
In fact I didn’t need to venture far from my accomodation to see lotuses and other water plants. My accomodation was a hut on stilts on Inle Lake, surrounded by such plants. The hut fifth from the left was mine.
“…And I’m feeling good”
Above is the long walkway, a 10 minute walk connecting my accomodation to dry land. That morning, photographing from before dawn, I suspect I photographed every staff member coming into work for the morning shift.
I hope these photos and the symbolic hope offered by the lotus have allowed you a brief diversion from the current woes of the World.
…..
This is Part 9 of my posts about Myanmar, and Part 12 of my posts about my near month-long visit to Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore in November 2019.
Brilliant photos and lovely quotes and comments. Thank you. 😁💖
Thank you so much. A bit of serenity for this current situation.
Did you visit the workshops where they weave cloth out of lotus fiber?
So you made it to this area in the rain?
Yes, I did. I believe those photos will deserve a separate dedicated post.
I did have a good run in the lake. Only missed taking photos, except when I got to these settlements. Yes, a separate post is definitely needed.
Ok. For some reason I had this image of you in a raincoat on a longboat being bucketed on by the weather. I did fear that was going to happen to me on one of my afternoons there, but the rain held out until evening when I was having dinner.:)
That’s exactly what happened, but I’d packed my camera case inside a waterproof plastic bag which I wore inside my raincoat. I sat in the weaver’s huts later in the morning while it rained sheets outside. In the afternoon it stopped raining, and I had a nice ramble around Indein.
Glad to hear it wasn’t a complete washout. It’s a beautiful area to explore.
Stunning photos – you capture mood so well. Is a lotus a waterlily?
Thank you. I’m no expert but I understand they are different species.From the internet: the biggest visual difference is that water lilies leaves and flowers both float on the water’s surface while lotus leaves and flowers are emergent, or rise above the water’s surface.
Beautiful images! I am looking forward to your future post about cloth made out of lotus fiber.
Thank you very much. It was fascinating to see lotus fibre used in that way.
What wonderful pictures and quotes. I visited Myanmar in 2015, and I loved it! Thank you for taking me on a trip down memory lane, with the addition of the blooming lotus flowers. I didn’t see those when I was there.
Most people I’ve spoken to absolutely enjoyed visiting Myanmar. It’s a fabulous country and people. You have at least one reason to return; to float with the lotuses.
I would love to go back there again one day. It was one of my top destinations of all my travels. 🙂
Same for me. I wish I’d visited a few years earlier.
I would’ve have been snap happy here too! Beautiful images and great quotes.
Thank you very much. It was very picturesque. Not something I expected to see.
Such beautiful photos! 🙂
Thank you.
My initial reaction is, ‘oh, you lucky sod!’ but the polite version is I’m so glad I came here to enjoy these with you. An absolutely awesome sight. Thanks, Draco! Hope all is well with you. 🙂 🙂
LOL. “Lucky sod” is right. Love a bit of British slang/humour. Off topic, it was so sad to hear of Tim Brooke-Taylor’s passing.
Thanks very much, Jo. All good here. Missing travel, but the stay home message is more important right now.
Oh so very beautiful 😀
Thank you. 🙂
What enchanting pictures!
Thanks. Even more enjoyable in real life. 🙂
Gorgeous photos, and thank you for this virtual trip!
My pleasure. Thank you very much.
What an absolutely beautiful post, and so perfect for now. This place looks like something out of a dream. The quotes are so quietly thought-provoking. Thank you for sharing the peace.
This was an unexpected moment but it was a very serene experience to be floating amongst the lotuses. I find the symbolism of the lotus interesting and very appropriate for these times. Nature gives us hope. Thank you very much, Julie.
lotus magic for sure… the colors are striking and I love the “I’m feeling good” mood… 🙂 hope all is well 🙂
Thanks, Alex. It was beauty all around, floating amongst the lotuses. I was lucky to get a beautiful dawn for the photos along the walkway. I greeted and photographed every staff member who came by that morning. Good times. 🙂
hope you will be able to start traveling again soon, Lignum, you really put your heart and soul into it!!
Me too, but in reality, Australia is unlikely to open its borders to freedom of international travel for quite a while.
Stunning photos of these beautiful lotus flowers. Such a striking color. I have not seen them like that before.Thank you also for the selection of quotes to accompany the photos.
Much appreciated, Anne. Thank you. I’d never encountered such a large “field” of lotuses before. It was a lovely moment to savour.
Stunning Lignum Draco!!!
Thank you. 🙂
beautiful photos. We all need tranquility right now.
Thank you. Yes, we do.
Beautiful photos and quotes to inspire and uplift us during these times! One of my favourite flowers and I don’t think one can ever have enough pictures of them. My trip to Asia was postponed but Portugal happened instead so I managed to get some travel in before things shut down. The world is a beautiful place and let’s hope we can discover more of it soon. Stay safe!
Thank you.I’d seen small groups of lotuses around the place in Yangon but never did I imagine I’d encounter such a large “field” in a river.
Sorry to hear your Asian trip was postponed, but Portugal could not have been a disappointment. I loved my time there. Yes, let’s hope we’re allowed to roam other countries again in the not too distant future.
What a poetic flower. So beautiful it hurts.
Hopefully we bloom and overcome like the lotus. Nature teaches us a lot, if we care to learn from it.
We seem to pick wrong teachers. History doesn’t teach.
Yep.
Thanks for sharing the beauty and peace, Lignum. That’s an enormous amount of lotus flowers! I hope you’re doing well. We completed our move to Arizona at the beginning of all this, so I have plenty to keep me occupied at home, although I go out for morning walks and of course every so often for groceries. I look forward to the time when I can easily go farther afield to explore the desert parks and things.
Stay well.
janet
Thanks, Janet. Yes, so far so good. Keeping well and staying in as much as possible, although I do have to travel for work. At least the roads are quieter and fuel is cheaper. I’m glad you’ve settled in well. It’s a good time to be a tourist where you live – for the exercise.
Easy to imagine actually being there in that longboat, Draco. That walkway shot really draws the viewer in. Really relaxing. Thanks for this post . M
You’re welcome, Meg. Thank you.
Ah, I was wondering the other day where the Wood Dragon’d gotten to… thanks for coming back! Never been one for flowers, but I’m slowly changing my mind. And I don’t know why, but I was associating a frangipani-like perfume to your lotus pictures.
In times like these, hope comes from wherever you can find it, even in the symbolism of a lotus.
I haven’t gone anywhere – the government (and a virus) have seen to that. I hope you’re keeping safe.
beautilful. your photos, like a dream.
thank you for showing us.
have a great day.
best regards from berlin.
Thank you. It was a beautiful sight and so peaceful.
yeah, you captured it in your photos. thank you.
Thank you so much.
Hi there, this is my first time to visit your blog and I want to say hello. I love all the photos, did you actually take the shots?
By the way, I am new in blogging and just recently I made a challenge to my self. I will be visiting 10 blogs each day for 21 days. I will leave comment on each blog I visit and have its link posted on my blog. Hope you can visit my blog to support me on this one.
I also followed your blog.
Nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy your experience blogging. Yes, all photos on my blog have been taken by me. 🙂
A bit of “bloom where you are planted”
Cheers, Amy
Indeed, a moment thoroughly enjoyed.
Beautiful post 💖
Thank you.
Ah, what an appropriate image and post for the current times. I love lotus flowers for their physical and symbolic beauty. You were blessed by the abundance of flowers. Such striking photographs.
Thank you, Jolandi. The lotus offers hope. It was an amazing experience to be floating amongst them. Another experience to treasure from Myanmar.
🤩 wow!
Cheers. 🙂
Beautiful, and so many of them! A while ago I looked up lotus’s because I wasn’t sure if what I photographed was a lotus or a water lily. (It was a lily). Either way they’re nice.
Indeed. Our longboat went right into the middle of the lotuses. It was quite a sight.
Beautiful and how gorgeous is your accommodation!!
Thanks. It was a beautiful resort. Great views, right over the water.
A superb diversion Mr Draco! So much beauty .. what an amazing trip you had! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful images 👏
It was unexpected delight, Julie. If only I’d taken some cheese/snacks and wine on my long boat. 🙂
And a friend with a camera! 🙂
Of course. 🙂
The pictures and the quotes are soothing for the eyes and soul. Thank you.
Thank you. We all need a bit of tranquility in our lives these days. It was a beautiful sight.
And they have ♥
I’m glad of that. 🙂 Sorry for the slow reply – been a bit too busy recently, and the break from blogging was welcome.
No worries – I would like a break too. In fact I have been considering leaving it all. Until I feel the urge. I have lost it.
I completely understand that. I’m posting much less than I used to.
Brilliant photos!
Thank you….
Greetings from the beautiful Rhine-Highlands / Germany
Rosie
Thank you very much. You live in a beautiful part of the world.
You take wonderful pictures, so different from the everyday. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!
Thank you very much. Myanmar is a beautiful and photogenic country.