About Us…

Lotus Bend is a 7-acre oasis just 25 minutes south of the center of Austin, Texas that provides a restorative environment to support the body, mind, and spirit by hosting recreational programs, curative workshops, and a place to connect to nature’s gifts.

The Center’s main space is 24×24, for a cozy 480 square feet. The connected entry space and the kitchen serving area provide 300 additional square feet. Adjoining the main space by 8 foot french doors on one end is the Blue Lotus annex space with sitting loft, and on the other end is the Amber annex space which offers another 250+ square feet for break-outs or privacy. 

Our emblem the lotus flower reminds us that we emerge from the primordial clay through the waters of experience and blossom into the bright sunshine of enlightenment, rising high above…but for a brief period.

WHY LOTUS BEND?

FACILITIES

Our main lodge and meeting room can accommodate up to approximately 30 people with two separate break-out rooms. There is a full kitchen, two bathrooms, and ample outdoor decking with seating. The sanctuary grounds have walking paths, gardens, meditation areas, a koi pond, a labyrinth, a fire pit, diverse wildlife, and a beautiful wet-weather creek and escarpment that offer a relaxing and restorative experience for you or your group.

The Lotus

The color of the lotus has an important bearing on the symbolism associated with it:

  • White Lotus (Skt. pundarika; Tib. pad ma dkar po): This represents the state of spiritual perfection and total mental purity (bodhi). It is associated with the White Tara and proclaims her perfect nature, a quality which is reinforced by the color of her body.
  • Pink Lotus (Skt. padma; Tib. pad ma dmar po): This is the supreme lotus, generally reserved for the highest deity. Thus naturally it is associated with the Great Buddha himself.
  • Red Lotus (Skt. kamala; Tib: pad ma chu skyes): This signifies the original nature and purity of the heart (hrdya). It is the lotus of love, compassion, passion and all other qualities of the heart. It is the flower of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.
  • Blue Lotus (Skt. utpala; Tib. ut pa la): This is a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, and signifies the wisdom of knowledge. Not surprisingly, it is the preferred flower of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom.