In the Vamana Purana it is said that the datura flower appeared from the chest of Shiva after he drank the poison created by the cosmic ocean. Shiva literally takes in all the poison of the universe and from it a beautiful flower is born from his heart.

We too can do this when we allow ourselves to fully feel the difficulties and pain in our lives and in the world. By doing so we often find that the pain is mostly in avoiding the “poison”. By surrendering to our pain we find healing, the ability to take necessary actions, and a sense of relaxation. Of course, this only comes after crossing the barrier, which can be a painful and difficult process... The only way out is through.

Pictured here are some recently acquired datura seeds atop a Shiva lingam on my bedroom altar. Garlands of datura flowers are often found outside of Shiva temples to be given as offerings and his devotees are known to smoke the leaves and seeds of this magical, witchy plant.