LOTUS POND: An optimistic view of human development From each lotus pond abundant life springs: so many leaves, flowers, and seeds! If you feel stuck in the mud or unable to rise to much height don't worry: in time all things flower if they touch the light Andrei: How can we get out of the tiny ponds we are stuck in? Ellesha: We need to transcend . . . Andrei: Transcend - what's that about? Ellesha: It's about being without thinking. Andrei: Sounds like death to me . . . **** Deeper in the image, this dialog is barely discernible . . . . Andrei: (frowning) This guy iz too oriental fer my liking . . . Philyra: The lotus metaphor seems oriental, but the basic message is universal. Andrei: No - the idea of transcending ones own nature is very Indian. Fundamentally, however, it defies logic. Jules: To me the scriptures say it clearly: we're just blades of grass . . . Andrei: (slightly irritated by Jules) That's a kummon view. However, I prefer to zhink of zhe whole matter in terms of DNA sequencing & environment. Ellesha: You guys argh stuck in yer heads. Art is primarily about feeling, not thinking. What's this image & poem actually say ta yer hearts? Philyra: The image has nice colors - that's about it. Andrei: (shrugging his shoulders) Uh, the poem is mildly encouraging if I don't think. ===================================================================================== from _Let the waters be my witness: Messages about our watery world_ by T Newfields SUMMARY: "An image of a poem within a poem and discussion about the need to transcend. KEYWORDS: transcendence, flowering, death, art Begun: 2000 in Nagoya, Japan / Finished: 2017 in Yokohama, Japan Creative Commons License: Attribution. {{CC-BY-4.0}} Granted by T Newfields [Nitta Hirou / Huáng Yuèwǔ] < LAST http://www.tnewfields.info/BlueEarth/amazing.htm TOC http://www.tnewfields.info/BlueEarth/index.html NEXT > http://www.tnewfields.info/BlueEarth/coral.htm TRANSLATIONS: DEUTSCH: http://www.tnewfields.info/de/lotus.htm ESPAÑOL: http://www.tnewfields.info/es/loto.htm FRANÇAIS: http://www.tnewfields.info/fr/lotus.htm NIHONGO: http://www.tnewfields.info/jp/kaika.htm ZHŌNGWÉN: http://www.tnewfields.info/zh/hehua.htm