butterflies

Butterflies are such amazing creatures. The way they flutter around naturally attracts our attention and brings a feeling of joy into our heart. The way they visit flowers, hopping here and there, seemingly at ease, without getting stuck on one flower, moving on.

In spirituality the butterfly, of course, is a great symbol for transformation. A caterpillar goes into a cocoon and comes out as a butterfly. It is one of the great miracles of nature. We would never imagine such a thing if we had not observed it in nature. This transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is so fitting for our spiritual journey. For before enlightenment, we too are a caterpillar – limited to crawling around on the ground, a two-dimensional world. Then, when we are least expecting it, we find ourself transformed into a buddha. In this space of enlightenment, we have a tremendous sense of freedom. We too have wings. We too can fly in three dimensions. A new dimension has been added to our life. In this freedom, we too find ourselves fluttering here and there – not with some purpose in mind, not with some strong direction, not clinging to one place over another, just fluttering on a whim from flower to flower, hither and thither, joyfully, not worrying where we are headed, with no goal in mind at all, at ease in the world. We too become an inspiration to others. We too are colourful, vibrant. We have so much more life than before.

This is the transformation which the butterfly symbolises for us. So if you see a butterfly, watch it. Allow something of that energy to seep into you. For such are the mysterious ways that our own transformation can come about, without too much doing, just allowing.