Download or read book The Thousand-Petaled Lotus written by Michael Fields and published by Hillcrest Publishing Group. This book was released on 2014 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Growing up in a strict Southern Baptist community can be challenging for a child whose sexuality is considered a sin. In The Thousand-Petaled Lotus: Growing Up Gay in the Southern Baptist Church, Michael Fields takes readers on a hilarious and thought-provoking journey through his Nashville childhood, one filled with Southern characters, sexual awakening, anguished prayer, and an exhilarating search for truth. In the Hindu tradition, the thousand-petaled lotus is the saharara chakra at the top of the head, which blossoms at the moment of enlightenment. The Thousand-Petaled Lotus is structured as just that, a lotus of many petals unfolding. Fields' journey to reconcile his faith with his sexuality is a captivating story that blossoms when he finds what Jesus called "the kingdom of heaven" and sees that it is here now. The Thousand-Petaled Lotus is a rare story of personal and spiritual discovery, complete with metaphysical reflections, droll wit, and storytelling full of Southern charm