The Rose of Jericho shows us how to survive and thrive during difficult times

Christa Avampato
3 min readJan 3, 2025

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Rose of Jericho courtesy of Canva Pro

A friend told me the time for his dream had passed. He’d missed his opportunity to do what he really wanted to do with his life. He asked me if I had any advice. I told him the story of a meditation I did to help myself heal when I was going through cancer treatment. I imagined myself as a Rose of Jericho, the resurrection plant.

When there’s a drought, this plant dries up and curls into a ball, shedding 95% of its water. It looks dead and lifeless, but it’s just sleeping, coating its cells with sugars and salts to preserve and protect them. It can stay like that for up to 5 years. If the drought goes on longer than that, it detaches from its roots and tumbles elsewhere with the help of the wind. Once it gets even a minuscule amount of water, the sugars and salts dissolve, and the plant springs back to life without a hint of the difficulty it endured.

Like my friend, you may have dreams you haven’t pursued. Or maybe you tried to pursue them, and they didn’t work out as you’d hoped. Sit down, close your eyes, and imagine yourself as the Rose of Jericho. (You might be rolling your eyes at this. I get it. It sounds hokey. But listen, this meditation is one of the things that got me through cancer so maybe it will help you get through the difficulties you’re facing, too.)

Imagine yourself in a deep slumber, curled up in a ball, wishing things were different, and enduring whatever hardship has found you. Now detach from your roots and let the wind carry you. Imagine you find and settle into a place of abundance, joy, and opportunity. What does that place look, sound, smell, taste, and feel like? (Take your time here. Really get into the multi-sensory experience. Give yourself permission to imagine.) Now imagine a mist of water falling. Take in that sweetness and nourishment. Let it fill you up. Uncurl. Flourish.

In this new year, you may face difficulties. You may think time and the world have passed by you and your dreams. You may think it’s too late or too hard to do or change anything. Let nature be your guide and lead you to higher ground.

This meditation and example of the Rose of Jericho can be the first small step toward something better for yourself. Rest and retreat. If you can, go in search of a better place for you and your dreams, even if it’s just in your mind for the moment. Protect and preserve yourself now so you can recognize and meet opportunity when a more beneficial hour, and maybe a second chance, arrives.

If you give this meditation a try, please let me know how it goes. I’m rooting for you!

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Christa Avampato
Christa Avampato

Written by Christa Avampato

Award-winning author & writer—Product Dev — Biomimicry scientist — Podcaster. Runs on curiosity & joy. threads.com/christarosenyc instagram.com/christarosenyc

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