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Lotus and the Lily: Access the Wisdom of Buddha and Jesus to Nourish Your Beautiful, Abundant Life
A book based on the teachings of Jesus and Buddha. Learn how to create an abundant life by focusing your attention on your connection with the vibrant presence of the divine within. From the bestselling author of Writing Down Your Soul . Lotus and the Lily offers a new 30-day program for accessing your true creativity, breakthrough thinking, and divine guidance. Janet Conner continues her unique method of deep soul writing by showing readers how to exit their conscious minds, get in touch with their authentic selves, and activate the voice of wisdom within. For those seeking the riches that lie beyond the popular explanation of the Law of Attraction, Lotus and the Lily cracks the abundance code by linking the wisdom of the inner voice with the surprising parallel teachings of Jesus and Buddha. In a profound yet simple program, Conner sheds radical new light on how Each day is reflective of you. Lotus and the Lily is a book with an array of prompts for reading, reflection, writing, exploring, and nourishing one's soul. Each week Janet Conner takes you through a program of rich exploration and redirects you from asking for things, to creating the receptive conditions that nourish a bountiful life. If you learned from books like The Gifts of Imperfection , The Untethered Soul , or The Power of Now , then you’ll want to read Lotus and the Lily .
245 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
77 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
Janet Conner
23 books53 followersIn Writing Down Your Soul: How to Activate and Listen to the Extraordinary Voice Within, Janet Conner tells a profound story of what actually happens in our hearts, minds, and souls when we write with the intention of accessing divine wisdom. Not content to have simply experienced the life-changing power of writing, Janet set out to uncover the science that explains why writing by hand is the single most effective vehicle into unconscious mind and beyond. Weaving together the most potent elements, Janet presents a simple, modern process that anyone can use to access the wisdom that waits just below the conscious surface. With this practical tool at your disposal, you'll know exactly how to ask for and receive the guidance you need to create the life you want. "
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 1, 2012
Janet Conner’s Writing Down Your Soul is the best-written spiritual writing guide that I’ve come across. Her latest book, The Lotus and the Lily, published last month, is a perfect follow-up. By focusing on the teachings of Buddha and Jesus, Conner offers a complete life makeover in 30 days. She calls it a 30-Day Soul Program.
So how exactly does Buddha meet Jesus? How does the lotus relate to the lily? The lotus flower, a symbol of the teachings of Buddha, represents his poetic phrase, “When conditions are sufficient there is a manifestation.” The lily, a symbol of Christianity, represents Jesus’s belief that life will always be aligned if one seeks divine guidance. He once said, “When we pursue a right relationship with the Universal One, and allow this relationship to realign our lives, we product a condition of receptivity in which anything we need to help us complete our purpose in life will be supplied by the universe.” So how do these two concepts connect? To get the right conditions, Conner encourages her readers to activate their own innate spiritual intelligence.
The four-week program begins with what she calls preparing in the first week, then looking back at our past in the second, releasing what she calls “thought worms.” These are old negative thoughts implanted since birth. In week three, we release the old to make room for the new, and along the way, forgive those who have wronged us. We also learn to forgive ourselves. In the final week, readers look forward, identifying their purpose. The book culminates in creating an intention mandala to represent the vision of your ideal life. A mandala itself is a symbol widely seen in Buddhism and meditation, a spiritual teaching tool. Conner asks her readers to physically make one.
A life makeover is a popular and ubiquitous subject for many spiritual authors, but Conner manages to keep her pages continually stimulating and original by combining the ideas of two very different faiths. She encourages readers to move away from asking for things to creating the conditions that nourish a fulfilling life. There is also a focus on the divine, rather than desires, wants and needs.
Ultimately, I found that Conner’s voice makes her pages compelling. She is candid, raw, learned, and highly engaging. You never tire of her voice. Her frankness on the page is endearing and she leaves us with a plethora of insights, and a blueprint for a whole new life.
So how exactly does Buddha meet Jesus? How does the lotus relate to the lily? The lotus flower, a symbol of the teachings of Buddha, represents his poetic phrase, “When conditions are sufficient there is a manifestation.” The lily, a symbol of Christianity, represents Jesus’s belief that life will always be aligned if one seeks divine guidance. He once said, “When we pursue a right relationship with the Universal One, and allow this relationship to realign our lives, we product a condition of receptivity in which anything we need to help us complete our purpose in life will be supplied by the universe.” So how do these two concepts connect? To get the right conditions, Conner encourages her readers to activate their own innate spiritual intelligence.
The four-week program begins with what she calls preparing in the first week, then looking back at our past in the second, releasing what she calls “thought worms.” These are old negative thoughts implanted since birth. In week three, we release the old to make room for the new, and along the way, forgive those who have wronged us. We also learn to forgive ourselves. In the final week, readers look forward, identifying their purpose. The book culminates in creating an intention mandala to represent the vision of your ideal life. A mandala itself is a symbol widely seen in Buddhism and meditation, a spiritual teaching tool. Conner asks her readers to physically make one.
A life makeover is a popular and ubiquitous subject for many spiritual authors, but Conner manages to keep her pages continually stimulating and original by combining the ideas of two very different faiths. She encourages readers to move away from asking for things to creating the conditions that nourish a fulfilling life. There is also a focus on the divine, rather than desires, wants and needs.
Ultimately, I found that Conner’s voice makes her pages compelling. She is candid, raw, learned, and highly engaging. You never tire of her voice. Her frankness on the page is endearing and she leaves us with a plethora of insights, and a blueprint for a whole new life.
April 29, 2020
Profound, Insightful, Deep Truth. My copy is heavily highlighted and notated. If you are interested in the journey of the soul, this book is like a road map. It is a "30 day journey" but I took a few months to go through it. Did not want to rush the insights. I let each chapter sit in my soul, then worked it out on the written page. Then went back to the book for more treasure.
Highly recommend. Supplement with The Prayer Artist Podcast. This book and podcast got me through the winter months in a warm and wonderful way.
Highly recommend. Supplement with The Prayer Artist Podcast. This book and podcast got me through the winter months in a warm and wonderful way.
April 29, 2019
This is a great book if you're at the beginning of your soul searching journey. It's also a good activity book to own. It will deeply engage you in finding your soul's purpose by actively pondering & writing down all that pertains to your authentic self and raison d'etre. Each day, Connor provided questions to reflect, writing samples ("Dear Voice") to journal responses to your most profound questions, tips and advice for exploring your inner being, affirmation statements to nourish your soul, and additional readings and references ("want more?").
NOTE: it's 3.5 stars for beginners but 2.5 stars if you're further along as you will not get much from this book.
Connor guides you on how to go through the process step-by-step each day.
Week I (7 days): PREPARE, step into your natural spiritual power by setting intentions, strengthening your relationship with your spiritual angels/guides, and creating your own ritual, prayer & meditation
Week II (7 days): LOOK BACK, dig into your past and uncover all the gifts to include all the joy & pain buried in your life up to the present moment.
Week III (7 days) : CREATE SPACE, make room for the new by releasing and forgiving the old to create a better space in the present.
Week IV (9 days): LOOK FORWARD, identify what you want in alignment with your soul's desires by getting very clear about what you want and why you want it. Additional days are given for the mandala activity. Making a Mandala is similar to a vision board albeit a round/clock type vision board.
NOTE: it's 3.5 stars for beginners but 2.5 stars if you're further along as you will not get much from this book.
Connor guides you on how to go through the process step-by-step each day.
Week I (7 days): PREPARE, step into your natural spiritual power by setting intentions, strengthening your relationship with your spiritual angels/guides, and creating your own ritual, prayer & meditation
Week II (7 days): LOOK BACK, dig into your past and uncover all the gifts to include all the joy & pain buried in your life up to the present moment.
Week III (7 days) : CREATE SPACE, make room for the new by releasing and forgiving the old to create a better space in the present.
Week IV (9 days): LOOK FORWARD, identify what you want in alignment with your soul's desires by getting very clear about what you want and why you want it. Additional days are given for the mandala activity. Making a Mandala is similar to a vision board albeit a round/clock type vision board.
January 3, 2020
Fantastic book. Get yourself on track for a full glorious life. Practical tips and clear writing with examples make this a must read for those who wish to create the life they live.
March 8, 2014
I have no idea how I came to have a copy of this book and even when I picked it up in January to read I had no idea it was a day-by-day type of read - actually a 30 day course. I committed to the 30 day process and have to say that this soul journey was just what I needed. I continued my daily meditation practice but also read, reflected upon and wrote about each day of the Lotus and Lily journey. And when my 30 days ended on February 14th, I spent Family Day, Feb 17th creating my Mandala. This book makes so much sense to me and the daily reflections really affirmed me and bolstered my spirit. Some of the visual journeys presented were powerful and stay with me.
Each day offers suggestions for extended reading and I have picked up a few books that I will read as extensions for sure.
This is a book that I'll be keeping for awhile as I plan to repeat this journey again, perhaps in 6 months to see what else I can gain from it.
A very good investment of my time!
Each day offers suggestions for extended reading and I have picked up a few books that I will read as extensions for sure.
This is a book that I'll be keeping for awhile as I plan to repeat this journey again, perhaps in 6 months to see what else I can gain from it.
A very good investment of my time!
March 12, 2015
I read this book in conjunction with taking Janet Conner's class of the same name in December. I followed the program closely, and all I can say is WOW! If you desire real, lasting change in your life - this is an excellent place to start! I believe the class only runs once a year, but I think she is offering it on demand on her web site, so anyone can take it any time they like. Highly recommended! :)
May 18, 2014
I really enjoyed the insights this book brought me. The author assumed I was at the beginning of my journey, so it would be nice to have a sequel for those who don't have all the negative baggage to unburden. None the less, the lessons resulted in great insights and it is something I'll refer to for much time to come. Logically arranged and easy to follow.
June 19, 2014
I almost never leave a book unfinished. This is the first book in a lONG time I have just put aside without the intent of finishing. I made it 3/4 of the way through and gave up. It just doesn't hold my interest and feels too self-help focused. I was looking for more comparative information between the teachings of Buddha and Jesus, which this is not.
October 23, 2013
This is the type of book I need to revisit again and again. Lots of good stuff that takes time to absorb.
April 28, 2013
If you are willing to put the journaling work into this, it is a great book.
April 5, 2021
A book that takes you on a spiritual journey to nourish your soul. Deeply engaging and life transforming.
October 25, 2014
This is one of the most useful books I have ever read. From beginning to end I was engaged in a learning process that has already made positive changes in how I live my life.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews