On The Path of Ascension, The Lotus Grows in the Mud
There's clearly a view that on the path of Ascension 'everything is love and light'; that you're steadily withdrawing your consciousness and the path is filled with roses. Ultimately, yes, a new Golden Realm will unfold for the Earth in 5D/6D/7D. However, to get there, we must courageously dig into every density that appears on the path, because it is this that holds people back. And it is the blossoming Lotus flower that grew out of the mud!
Raising Vibration on the Path of Ascension
The path of Ascension is a torturous and forging one. Yes, ultimately, you will 'raise vibration'. But the only way to stay in the higher vibrations, is if you've integrated through the lower chakras and densities. Because if there's still fragmentation of soul there, if you still get stuck or triggered by events and circumstances in the 3D, then this will act as 'ballast' to draw you back in.
The metaphor of the Lotus growing in the mud, before it opens its stunning petals, is therefore a powerful and poignant one. It's telling us that all the trials and tribulations we face are necessary, and perfect, to help the flower unfold into the sunlight.
This is where profound self-honesty becomes essential. It doesn't matter 'what the other has done', or how distorted they may be in their behaviour. The question is: how is it triggering you? And, most importantly: "Why did YOU manifest the situation? In what way did you co-create it?
The answer is ALWAYS because of the 'mud', because of the density you feel in some way - the reactivity in the situation. Is that emotional, mental, physical or karmic? How is it being felt? Most importantly: where is there some degree of identity in the situation, felt as attachment or resistance to a particular pathway? What is it that you most fear in the situation?
Whatever outcome you fear, actually becomes the path down which to travel.
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Each Step Becomes a Great Liberation
It sounds full-on, right? And why should you bother - why should you do it? Because the Lotus grows in the mud! Which means that the spectacular blossoming of your being in the Golden Age comes, and is most worthwhile, BECAUSE of the challenges and circumstances you've faced. This glorious completion has happened BECAUSE of the density you dared to walk through.

What's more, you find each step then becomes a great liberation - by turning into the density, you'll process through. Each integration becomes sublime - you get to see and feel each petal unfurling. Thus, you know it becomes the essential path.
The pathway of Ascension is unique for every single one of us - because we all have unique circumstances to grow through. However, the 'altitudes' through which we must pass are the same: Realignment to soul-decision making; Transfiguration by activation of full kundalini; processing 4D karma; becoming fully multidimensional. These are the 'Gateways' through the density, but each will come to them in their own way.
Learn more about the acclaimed 5GATEWAYS work
Breaking Down Redundant Constructs
No doubt, this is going to involve breaking down old constructs in your life - old situations and limiting landscapes in which you've been living. Or relationships you know have become toxic and don't serve you anymore. You've got to be pepared to compassionately break these apart. The Lotus needs a new, more nutrient-dense 'soil' in which to grow.
I've often found that it is the emotional challenges of letting go and emerging from these that can be the most challenging in life. In these instances, the path isn't about gaining some 'sexy' new multidimensional gift. It's the dogged determination to press on, in the mud, and forge through.
We're going through dense and difficult times as the Ascension process now gears up. You're seeing the shadow twisting this way and that to suck souls in through distraction - now a new war in Europe? Interesting timing! And, to my mind, totally manipulated so as to keep attention 'out there'. Then don't want you 'digging in the mud', because they know all too well, that's where the treasure is to be found.
So how will you apply this Lotus consideration in regular life?
Developing Your Process

Yes, it's realising that life is a journey, not a destination. And that the journey unfolds through the inner process - the outer if created from it. So knowing your process for breaking through is utterly essential. It's crucial to confront the density you encounter 'head on' - meaning: to turn into it and work it through.
It's about facing the truth of any given situation and owning any inner triggering. Then asking: what am I attached to? What am I afraid of in this given situation? The One in you fears nothing. So can you surrender and unravel the tightness as you proceed through the situation?
This is the "Breakthrough Approach". Whatever multidimensional gifts we come to unfurl, it is by having this solid process as the driving mechanism to take you there which really counts...
Openhand Breakthrough Approach.
Attaining the Golden Realm
Have no doubt, that where we do the inner work in this process, where we dare to dig through the mud of life's challenges, then you will come up blossoming and smiling when the light of the new Golden Age shines down upon your face.

Your petals of the new consciousness will unfurl. You'll feel glorious in the light of the new realm. Every challenge will not only have been worth it, but you'll finally see how necessary and worthwhile they were.
The Lotus can't get there without the mud. That's exactly where we need to dig! I wish you well in that unfolding process.
Resonate?
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Bright blessings
<<< Open 💎
Comments
Hi Zoe and Soumya,I can…
Comment
Hi Zoe and Soumya,
I can relate to both your experiences and inquiries.
This song has been coming up for me lately and I feel it to be a message from my twin flame. I hope you can find some comfort in it too.
Thank you Open for lighting the way.
Ascension Process: No Mud, No Lotus! 🪷
Comment
04/08/2025 Shift Insight: Lotus Flower
This week, we have the World Ascension Summit taking place, starting this Friday. I'm always thrilled to be guiding people through the Ascension process - but let's be clear, to come up shining in the light, does involve digging in 'the mud' too! It's because the old 'ballast' is what we must work into and release - the Lotus grows from the mud!
In this way, the challenges we face become the essential places of buried treasure. A wonderful juxtaposition happens: we fear the challenges no longer, because we know the glittering gold of soul infusion is to be found through them.
That's the inspiration I felt to share today on Openhand - not to be afraid of digging in the mud a degree. It's where the immaculate Lotus unfurls its petals from! Do check out the lead article above and share your throughts/reflections if you feel to (scroll up).
Well wishes to all.
<<< Open 🪷
Afraid to be real
In reply to Ascension Process: No Mud, No Lotus! 🪷 by Open
Comment
Hi Open,
This article feels like a light to my heart.
Often, I see the density as black, muddy water in the emotional planes, which I wash out with the clear waters of my higher self.
But often, I get caught up in the mud — right now, I’m in that state.
I feel the intensity of me. It’s unbearable.
I’m afraid of the unpredictable me. I’m afraid of change, yet I feel trapped in the reality I’m in — caught in the middle of two polarities.
It feels like an intense pressure on my brain, like it’s going to explode.
A heavy rock feeling in the heart. My throat is clogged.
I know I’ve got a lot to dig into.
I’m afraid that I’m going insane.
This is not easy and is torturous. When im in the density, there ia no guides, no star being nations. It's just me, the alligned and misaligned aspects of me.
Thank you
Soumya🙏
Digging into the density
In reply to Afraid to be real by Soumya
Comment
Hi Soumya,
I celebrate your courage 🙏
You said...
It feels like an intense pressure on my brain, like it’s going to explode.
A heavy rock feeling in the heart. My throat is clogged.
I know I’ve got a lot to dig into.
I’m afraid that I’m going insane.
The unresolution is the 'mud' where the Lotus is to be found.
And people sometimes say 'it feels like I'm losing my sanity'. However, that's only because the programmed inner construct of the old value system is being challenged and cracked open.
If you keep connecting into your Sacred Ground of Being and anchoring there, amidst the processing, you'll steadily come through.
Wishing you well in that.
Much love
<<< Open 💎
Nowhere to anchor
In reply to Digging into the density by Open
Comment
Soumya, I can relate to what you're going through. I've also been digging into a lot lately, only for me at the moment it's largely dealing with my external world.
I've felt very trapped by my life circumstances for a long time, and as the cracks get larger, I'm starting to see potential pathways out of it. But any of them seem pretty terrifying right now and bring up a lot of resistance. I really don't know what to do or what step to take next.
Open, you say to keep connecting into the Sacred Ground of Being and anchoring there. But to me, all I'm really aware of is constant movement of whatever energies are here. If there's a center point to all of it, I can only describe it as nothing. Perhaps there's also a sense of neutrality there that could be called peace. Although, I don't really understand how that can be a mast in the storm because, technically, it's nothing.
I think I'm missing something about what you mean by anchoring in the Sacred Ground of Being...
Zoe 🙏
Everything arises from nothing
In reply to Nowhere to anchor by Zoe
Comment
Hi Zoe, it's right to intuit that the 'mast in the storm is nothing'. Because in its essence, the Sacred Ground of Being is the Void of Infinite potential - no thing.
The challenge of the ego in sitting with this place, is that it can't possibly imagine that any worthwhile answers can arise from there. Because the ego is always used to 'figuring things out'. That's all it knows.
In dealing with the external world, we need to master something fundamental - which is easily said, but not too often practiced: The external landscape contains the reflections you need to see on the inner; the outer is shaped by the inner. When the ego realises this, it still wants to fix and shape according to its value system and what it desires. To walk the path, however, is to continually open out through this tightening. You open into the Void of Presence - the emptiness. Now some aspect of beingness will arise, which if you embody, will now shape the landscape in a new way.
It takes a lot of practice - hence the value of coming on the pilgrimages and retreats.
Well wishes
<<< Open 💎
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