THE ROOTS OF A LOTUS ARE IN THE MUD, THE STEM GROWS UP THROUGH THE WATER AND THE FLOWER LIES PRISTINELY ABOVE THE WATER BASKING IN THE SUNLIGHT. THIS SIGNIFIES THE PROGRESS OF THE SOUL FROM THE PRIMEVAL MUD OF MATERIALISM, THROUGH THE WATERS OF EXPERIENCE AND INTO THE BRIGHT SUNSHINE OF ENLIGHTENMENT. IT IS ONLY THE LOTUS WHICH, OWING TO THE STRENGTH OF ITS STEM, RISES ABOVE THE SURFACE. ALEY I STILL REMEMBER HOW YOU SHOWED SUCH STRENGTH OF BODY AND MIND.