Status Updates From Budding Lotus in the West: ...

‘The highest form of love respects and honors the other persons independence and freedom, creating a space for them to thrive uniquely’

‘True love embodies patience, understanding and compassion’

‘Anchored in trust, respect and open communication - this form of love becomes a catalyst, inspiring us to evolve into our best selves. Without these anchors, the ship of our relationship risks sinking into the uncertain depths of jealousy, doubt and insecurity.’

‘Furthermore, love calls for a dual awareness - an understanding of the other and a keen introspection of the self. Falling in love, an emotional state that can change as swiftly as the wind, is one thing, while offering love - a thoughtful, selfless commitment to the other persons happiness, is another. To offer such love goes beyond fleeting feelings, it requires deep understanding, steadfast dedication —->

‘If love blossoms in this environment, it’s because the soil is fertile, nurtured by mutual respect, shared values and common spiritual goals’

‘A good spiritual friend is like a sturdy tree that stands firm in the face of a raging storm’

‘What’s unfortunate is how often women are the enforces of these norms, policing each other to adhere to a standard of ‘modesty’ or ‘appropriate’ behaviour - essentially participating in their own oppression.

‘We stood beside the Perfume River, where the water flowed in harmony with the universe’

‘This claim stands out like a jagged rock disrupting the flow of a calm river. It’s jarring. It doesn’t harmonize with the other teaching within the same sutta, particularly the Buddhas foundational doctrine of not-self’

‘In essence, our journey toward enlightenment is crafted by our deliberate, ethical actions, not by labels or birthrights.’

‘He regards any divisions or disparities among humans as being as fleeting as morning dew - ready to dissipate under the warm gaze of the dawning sun’

‘The truth is out there, waiting to be discovered. But it’s up to us to sift through the noise, question the status quo, and turn the page to unveil what lies beneath the ink of tradition’

‘Imagine a six year old with sparkling brown eyes, her youthful curiosity contagious, showering you with questions that can light up a lazy Sunday’

‘Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth’

‘I knew that society frequently asks women to bloom while planting them in the shade’

‘Right now, as young girls with bright futures, they need to understand their potential - and the potential of every girl and woman - was limitless. This eternal truth surpasses the constraints of any patriarchal faith’