It’s All a Question of Balance
Well, that’s a very Buddhist point of view or even a leftover from listening to too much of the Moody Blues in the sixties, but nonetheless, its truth rings loudly.
These days we tend to excel or specialize in this or that and are very goals oriented, which in itself is not a bad thing. But when the scales are out of kilter, then our imbalance can create further obstacles for us along the way.
It could be said that most of those who are interested in spirituality as a practice, have the ‘illusive’ state or condition of Enlightenment as their goal. Well, what’s wrong with that you may ask? Has this not been the objective of many seekers over the millennium to emulate those remarkable beings who have shed the burden of ignorance, enslavery and worldliness? There is of course absolutely nothing wrong with seeking Enlightenment and one only needs to look around at the un-enlightened state of our world to see that change is required, if we are to evolve beyond anger, violence, terrorism and war to resolve our conflicts and so-called ‘differences’. However, looking here and there for Enlightenment is fruitless, for how can you possibly find something that is not lost? How can you arrive at a destination, when you are already there? How can you achieve a state or condition when you are already in it?
Back to the topic of balance - the subject of spirituality needs to be balanced too and by that I mean the esoteric, ecstatic experiences of connecting with the non-tangible, needs to be grounded in down-to-earth practical applications on a moment-by-moment basis, every moment. It is one thing to have an extraordinary, life-changing spiritual experience and another to bring that into our life to become the embodiment of that experience.
Today, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the embodiment of Love as was Jesus of Nazareth in earlier times. Andrew Cohen is the embodiment of Enlightenment today as was the Buddha in his. Eckhart Tolle is the embodiment of Silence as was Lao Tze. What is the commonality between these few examples? They created the Beingness they have assumed and balanced it with all that they do, without fail, without deviating, without succumbing to external pressures and it shows up in everything they think, say and do.
Enlightenment is a beginning. It could be said (with tongue in cheek) that it is the easiest part, for maintaining the Beingness of Enlightenment will be challenged relentlessly, by everyone who is mired in separateness and living through their own self-created ego.
© Rick Pursell
Tags: Question of Balance