Edging from Mud to Lotus: Revised to Bloom
Beck and I had originally queued up this piece for last week’s A Balanced Glass. And then the wildfires in California ignited, and our attention shifted to more critical and timely information.
In the days between the first draft last week, and this draft you’re reading now, I learned two new things about the metaphor of the lotus. The first, from last year, is Beck’s language around why the lotus is such an important part of the logo for A Balanced Glass: “The use of the lotus in the logo reflects a flower that grows from the mud and pushes up through water to bloom above the surface – reminding us that we can rise above whatever it is we are troubled by or faced with. And also the possibility to start over.”
The second thing I learned is that, as a new lotus flower emerges from out of the mud, its full bloom will only last for the daylight hours then as darkness descends, it closes up, before blooming again in the morning light.
Those are metaphors worth keeping in mind, I think, as our industry’s challenges (its “mud,” so to speak) continue to compound, from the wildfires in California, to flooding in the streets of Verona and the vineyards of Valpolicella, to European wine regions struggling with economic pressures as harvest begins.
It seems like we’re surrounded by the mud of this metaphor. But nature, and the lotus specifically, has always had something else in mind. Rooting in the muck below in order to bloom above, that is. Starting over. And relying on the bloom, even though it doesn’t last forever, to come again.
So here goes: “Edging from Mud to Lotus: A Revision”
“No mud. No lotus.”
It’s a quote that’s usually attributed to Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, but any one of us can recognize the formulation: first the challenge, then the reward.
It’s safe to say, I think, that we’re all fairly mud-slicked right now. Given this week’s latest news of wildfires in California, the challenges seem to be growing and the mud seems to be thickening even more.
The lotus seems pretty far away.
For this community in particular, however, it’s also a significant image. Beck used the lotus flower as inspiration while designing the logo for A Balanced Glass and, whether you’ve recognized it consciously or not, the image of the lotus resonates throughout all ABG newsletters and communications.
So this week I took some time to look a little closer at photographs of lotus flowers. A few things I noticed were the different shades of color, sometimes within the individual petals; and the core inside that’s protected until the petals open like arms spreading to the sky; and, in some photographs, the sturdier green leaves underneath that cup the more delicate petals, as if they’re ready to catch those petals if they fall.
It’s nice imagery.
Even as a metaphor, though, the lotus seems pretty far away right now.
How can we bring it closer? How can we emerge from all this mud, and edge more toward the lotus?
I’m not there, not by any stretch, but there is something that’s helped with micro steps toward it: Compassion.
Another Buddhist notion that keeps surfacing for me these past few weeks in particular is that compassion is at the heart of Buddhism, and at the heart of compassion is compassion for the self.
A few weeks ago I wrote about a few ways we can practice trusting our inner selves, and I’m grateful to everyone who wrote to say how much those practices resonated in their daily lives.
This week, let me try to extend that trust of our inner selves to compassion for our inner selves.
Just like trust, compassion evolves quietly, individually, and without fanfare. As compassion evolves, we notice things about ourselves that we haven’t noticed before. We realize that maybe we know more than we’re letting ourselves know. We notice that we are still here, still learning, still paying attention.
When we find that compassion internally, it becomes easier to recognize it externally too, and to share it.
That’s exactly when we glimpse a bit of the lotus – its core inside, the spreading of its petals to the sky, and the sturdier leaves underneath.
I wish for that for you this week, in whichever formulation you need most. I hope very much that it helps.
Namaste,
Cathy
What We're Reading:
Here's what has piqued our interest this week in the world of wine and mindfulness.
A Mental Health Crisis is Surging – GlobalWellnessInstitute.org
The wellness industry has a big role to play, first and foremost by identifying and publicizing what works and what doesn't.
7 Reasons to Stop Yo-Yo Dieting - ExperienceLife.com
Here are seven potential side effects of "yo-yo dieting," also known as weight cycling.
A Deep Dive Into the Many, Verifiably False Claims of ‘Clean Wine’ Companies - Felicity Carter, for Vinepair.com
"Where are all these lurid wine tales coming from?
An All-Around Wine Connoisseur - WineSpectator.com
With a scholarship, a documentary film and a book in the works, Urban Connoisseurs founder Marcia Jones is doing everything she can to promote American winemakers of African descent.
Why Does the Coronavirus Hit Men Harder? A New Clue, by Apoorva Mandavilli for the New York Times
Women produce a more powerful immune response than do men, a new study finds.
Jumpstarting an Exercise Routine During the Pandemic, by Howard Change for EverydayHealth.com
Push back against lockdown lethargy and work more physical activity into your life.
Wildfire Smoke & Health, for the California Air Resource Board
While smoke from wildfires is a threat to health, there are many unknowns about the health effects of smoke from wildfires.
Meet the Community!
Our community is only as strong as the company we keep, and here we meet some of the folks who make our profession so dynamic.
Camilla Lunelli , Director of Communications and External Affairs, Lunelli Group (Trento, Italy)
Years in the Industry:
Sixteen years. Even if I’ve always “lived and breathed” the winery life – my father Mauro having been the winemaker at Ferrari Trento for many years – my personal involvement in the business began in July 2004 when I took on the role of Director of Communications and External Affairs of the Lunelli Group. I had just returned two days earlier from Africa, where I had been working for three years in the field of international solidarity for the UNDP in Niger and for an Italian NGO in Uganda, an experience that brings me great satisfaction to this day.
My Biggest Challenge to Wellness:
I’m lucky that I don’t tend to gain weight and I’m able to stay in relatively good shape even when I’m not able to maintain a consistent regime of physical activity. My greatest challenge has to do with finding a work/life balance that allows me to do the best job I can to my professional role, without feeling at the same time like I’m not being present enough as a mother to my three children. Now that they’re a little older and more independent, I aspire to enjoy a few moments to myself.
The challenge is feeling like I’m in the right place at the right time, rather than feeling guilty when I’m working because I’m not dedicating myself to my family, or when I’m with my family because I’m not working!
How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:
In terms of work/life balance, I schedule trips and dinners carefully so that I can focus on the most important appointments and try to be away from home as little as possible. This means I occasionally miss out on some of the more positive aspects of our work, such as enjoying the beautiful places where we have the good fortune to be able to share our wines. Working from home occasionally is another solution that helps to bridge the gap. My kids really like to know that I’m “there” at home, even if I’m locked in my office and rarely emerge.
In terms of wellness, I have an important resource: the mountains. The same mountains that give elegance and refinement to our Ferrari Trentodoc sparkling wines are regenerative for my mind and body, as well. Whenever I can, early morning or evening, I go running on the narrow paths near my house through beautiful vineyards and into the forests. After just an hour, I come back feeling refreshed in body and spirit.
One last thing: nutrition. I absolutely can’t resist enjoying the cuisine at a good restaurant or when someone cooks for me but I balance these indulgences with a simple and healthy regime at home, where we eat organic and local products almost exclusively and focus on vegetables and grains prepared simply and healthfully.
You can connect with Camilla on Instagram.
Let's Get Connected:
Sharing events from our friends in the global ABG community.
Sun August 30th 4pm PT | 7pm ET
Clear Power Coaching Non-Alcohol Wine Tasting & Discussion
Join sobriety/mindful drinking coach Martha Wright online for a free virtual wine tasting and chat via Zoom on Sunday, August 30th, 4-5 pm PST. She’ll be tasting and discussing non-alcoholic offerings while sharing information about the evolution of our wine culture,, alcohol and marketing. Register for this free program here.
September 1st 5pm ET | 8pm PT
#SOMMNATION Happy Hour with Ignite Your Life
We are THRILLED to team up with @sommation_live @pen2paper_project and @jillmassura of “Ignite Your Life” for this FREE workshop. Learn various techniques for coping and dealing with the stress of the pandemic including EFT Tapping. The theme is “You Belong Here” and no skills are necessary to join.. We just want YOU there with or without a glass of wine. Please follow @sommation_live on Instagram and register through the link in bio.
Have an event that our ABG community would love? Email to events@abalancedglass.com for consideration!
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