“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud “ ~ Maya Angelou
The iris commonly means wisdom, hope, trust and valor. In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger for Zeus and Hera. The flower is considered to be a divine messenger linking Heaven and Earth.
There are 3 types of iris symbolism: the Goddess symbolism; the floral symbolism; and the color symbolism.
Iris is the goddess of the sea and the sky and links the gods to humanity. Iris is associated with communication, messages, the rainbow, and new endeavors.
The floral Iris has a rich meaning. It represents hope, courage, truth, trust, and abundance. The flower returns each year in Spring to signify rebirth. The trinity of the petals to me represents the connection of mind, body and spirit.
The iris comes in various colors. Typically the outer flower is purple, my favorite color. Purple is symbolic of intuition and psychic awareness. It is associated with the sacred higher self, fulfillment and vitality. The central floral color of yellow is symbolic of the golden light that exists within each of us or the luminosity of our true nature.
Each Spring, I enjoy gazing at the purple flowers in my garden. I often visualize the flower in my meditation practice.
This Spring, the symbolism of the flower was much more profound. As it blossomed in my garden, the pandemic was slowing down. The flower enhanced my gratitude for the courage and valor of all of the front line workers. It signified the rebirth of the new normal as we became opened for business once again.
The iris flowers in my garden seemed more abundant and vivid than ever before. They instilled an enhanced feeling of hope, trust, truth, and healing in me.
I became inspired to practice chakra meditation, and to focus on the the crown chakra which is represented by the color purple or violet. Sometimes I sat in my garden and I would focus on the 3 iris petals instead of on the traditional lotus flower as I connected with mind, body, spirit and nature. As I reached a sense of spiritual awareness, I became aligned with the healing universe.
I also have been drawn to practice meditation focusing on the five koshas. According to yoga tradition (the Taittiriya Upanishad), each one of us has 5 bodies or sheaths made up of increasing finer layers of subtler bodily energies. The koshas or our five layers of being are energetic bodies that move from the outermost layer of skin to our deep spiritual core.They compose our personality. Similar to the chakra system, each layer is interconnected and has its own physiological and spiritual function.
Briefly the koshas are:
Annamaya – the physical -material body (earth element)
Pranamaya – the energy body (water element)
Manomaya – the mental body (fire element)
Vijnanamaya – the intuitive body (air element)
Anandamaya – the bliss body (space element)
Meditation focusing on the koshas is advanced and involves training and practice. For most of us the fifth sheath or bliss body is underdeveloped and we may be unaware that this level of consciousness exists within us. However I believe we can and do experience glimpses of our higher self and states of bliss (the fifth sheath) when we faithfully practice. Yoga teachers offer courses and guided meditation practices that allow us to experience these inner dimensions of our personalities.
Yoga Nidra is Sanskrit for “yogic sleep”. It is a somatic process of extreme relaxation. It is an evidenced based healing process. You are guided in this practice usually by a well trained yoga teacher. “Yoga Nidra is a state of awareness, experienced through a yogic process in which the body is progressively and incrementally relaxed until it goes to sleep, however the mind remains alert and awake.” ~Wyatt Portz. It is a very deep and relaxing experience of peace, healing, wholeness and clarity. It is a meditation practice.
During yoga nidra as the body progressively relaxes in various ways, you may be systematically guided through the five koshas. or layers of awareness. In the final stage, you reach a level of stillness, calm, quiet and clarity. In time you are able to access the anandamaya kosha and experience glimpses of bliss and heightened self awareness. Lately when I practice, I return to the image of the yellow center of the iris flower and feel enveloped in its golden glow of peace and light.
Suggestions: We are, of course, still mourning the tragedies and loss of life due to Covid-19. As we enter this “new normal” period there are many healing strategies. Yoga and meditation is one approach. Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of these body-mind practices. Being in Nature enhances our spiritual healing practices. The flowers, plants and trees that surround us this time of year symbolize rebirth and new beginnings. Start by visualizing a specific colorful flower and study its spiritual meaning. Meditate on its image, meaning, and vibration.
Select another flower and color. Consider a sun flower, a water lily, a pink rose, a bright red geranium or an emerald green plant glowing in the sun. Sit in a garden. Walk through a field of lush wild flowers. Then focus on these images in your mind’s eye as you sit in meditation, or engage in a spiritual healing process.
May you be well
May you be safe
May you be joyful
May you be free
I have benefited from Yoga Nidra in so many ways. It has enhanced my spiritual practice. It has helped to relieve pain, improve sleep and it has fosters a lingering sense of well being. Often my guide is yoga teacher Jennifer Reis. She has been extremely generous during the pandemic and continues to offer a variety of virtual yoga, yoga nidra, and yoga training programs at very reasonable rates with at least one free class every week.
References:
Jenniferreissyoga.com
amandalinettemeder.com
www. unlockyourchakra.com
ekhartyoga.com
Introduction to Yoga Nidra and the Five Koshas by Wyatt Potz,
Static1.squarespace.com
The koshas : 5 Layers of Being by Linda Johnsen in yogainternational.com