Balanced On The Tightrope
"The Master maintains his balance
no matter which opposite he enters.
He lets things go through their changes
and stays focused on what is real.
He is like an ocean:
though there are waves on it's surface,
in it's depth there is perfect calm."
Chuang Tzu
The high-wire artist knows that he must stay completely focused on the step he is taking or he will lose his balance and fall to his death. In the same way, each of us is walking a tightrope called Life, doing the best we can to maintain our balance in the midst's of life's twists and turns. We all know what it feels like to lose our balance - that moment of exhaustion when we feel depleted of joy and enthusiasm for life, as we needlessly worry about a future event or regret something that happened in the past. Perhaps we aren't getting enough sleep (or sleeping too much), working too many hours, eating to much junk food or not getting enough exercise. If we look closely, every area of our life has a tipping point where we feel harmony within, and with the world around us; and conversely, there is also a tipping point where we lose this balance and begin to experience stress, anxiety and unease.
In those moments when we feel we have lost our inner-equilibrium, all that is required to bring ourselves back into harmony with the current of Life (the Tao), is to first admit that we are out of balance, and then spend some time focusing on whatever we need to do (or not do) to return to a state of alignment with the Flow. for instance, if our energy is running low, we might look at our diet and what we have been feeding our bodies. If we discern that the food we have been eating isn't very healthy, then we can easily adjust our diets to include more energising foods. Another example is, if we have been feeling a lack of peace and harmony in our lives, we can begin (or return) to the regular practice of meditation. By sitting still and coming home to our mindful breathing (or a mantra), we slow down enough to rest in the Stillness and Silence of our own Being, and thus return to a state of balance and joy within..
Through regular meditation we are able to be honest with ourselves about those areas of our lives that may need our attention, and take the necessary steps to return to a state of harmony with the Present Moment, and thus radiant health and abundant energy. One of the most empowering gifts of practicing the path of balance, is that we realize that our well-being is our own responsibility, and we naturally begin to make choices that bring greater aliveness and joy to our lives. As we move into greater harmony with the Flow of the Tao, we naturally avoid those activities and relationships that drain our vital energy (Qi), and instead choose to focus our attention on that which uplifts and inspires us. We also see that, by avoiding the extremes in any situation, and living with inner-balance, we find ourselves right in the center of a powerful Flow (the Tao), that is always unfolding our lives with effortless ease, and for our highest benefit.
