Introduction

The flower has been regarded and used as a symbol of the Soul, of the Spiritual Self, of Divinity in both the East and the West. China adopted the image of the "Golden Flower", while India and Tibet adopted the lotus (in appearance similar to the waterlily), which has its roots in the earth, its stand in the water and its petals in the air, where they open under the rays of the sun. In Persia and Europe the rose has been extensively used. Examples are to be found in the Roman de la Rose of the Troubadours, the mystical rose exquisitely described by Dante in Paradise (Canto XXIII), and the rose at the center of the cross that forms the symbol of the Rosicrucian Order.

Usually it has been the already open flower that has served as a symbol of the Spirit, and, although this is a static representation, its visualization can be very stimulating and evocative. But even more effective in stimulating psycho-spiritual processes is the dynamic visualization of a flower, that is, of its transition and development from the closed bud to the fully open bloom.

Such a dynamic symbol, conveying the idea of development, corresponds to a profound reality, to a fundamental law of life and governs the functions of the human mind as well as the presence of nature.

Our Spiritual Being, the Self, which is the essential and most real part of us, is concealed, confined and "enveloped" first by the physical body with its sense impressions; then by the multiplicity of the emotions and the different drives (fears, desires, attractions and repulsions); and finally by the restless activity of the mind. The liberation of the consciousness from these entanglements is an indispensable prelude to the revelation of the spiritual Center. The agency for achieving it -- and this applies in nature as much as in the realm of the mind -- is the wonderful and mysterious action of the intrinsic vitality or "livingness", both biological and psychological, that works with irresistible pressure from within.

This is why the principle of growth, of development, of evolution has been receiving much attention in psychology and education and will be increasingly applied in the future. It is the foundation of one of the most effective methods of psychosynthesis and forms the basis of the exercise now to be described.

Procedure

This exercise can be performed individually or in a group. In the first case, it is advisable to memorize the various stages thoroughly so as to bring them to mind without hesitation. In the second case, the group therapist or leader gives the following directions, slowly and with short pauses.

Let us imagine a rosebud, closed. Let us visualize its stem and leaves with the bud above. It appears green, because the sepals are closed, but at the very top a rose-colored point can be seen. Let us visualize this vividly, holding the image in the center of our consciousness.

Now begins a slow movement: the sepals start to separate little by little, turning their points outward and revealing the rose-hued petals, which are still closed. The sepals continue to open until we can see the whole of the tender bud.

The petals follow suit and slowly separate, until a perfect fully-opened rose is seen.

At this stage let us try to smell the perfume of this rose, inhaling its characteristic and unmistakable scent, so delicate, sweet and delicious. Let us smell it with delight. (It may be recalled that religious language has frequently employed perfume as a symbol, "the order of sanctity", and that it is also used in religious ceremonies: incense.)

Let us now expand our visualization to include the whole rosebush, and imagine the life force that rises from the roots to the flower and originates the process of opening.

Finally let us identify ourselves with the rose itself or, more precisely, let us "introject" it into ourselves. Symbolically we are this flower, this rose. The same life that animates the universe and has created a miracle of the rose is producing in us a like, even greater, miracle -- the awakening and development of our spiritual being and that which radiates from it.

Through this exercise we can effectively foster this inner "flowering".