FINDING BALANCE
Life is about balance. Of course, this may be stating something obvious to most of us, but the reality of how elusive it is can be overwhelming. It is too hard to find consistent or sustainable balance, let alone maintain it, in today’s life.
By default, we are juggling multiple thing – work, family, friends, home, food, health, exercise, consumption, pleasure, leisure and beliefs. Yet it is only when we are truly in balance emotionally, physically and mentally that we can live a decent life and, indeed, proceed on the path to enlightenment.
The road to inner peace is a long one and requires a fine intellect, a honed intuition, a deep seated calmness, and a healthy dose of detachment and faith.
Finding balance on the journey to spiritual enlightenment is a multifaceted process. As it is a personal experience, there is no one-size-fits-all approach and it involves integrating various aspects of your life and consciousness. That being said, here are some perspectives that can help you find balance on this path:
1. SELF-AWARENESS:
Observe your thoughts, emotions and patterns of behaviour. Ask yourself meaningful questions and regularly reflect on your actions, motivations and reactions to gain insight into your inner landscape.
2. PARADOXES:
The path to enlightenment often involves embracing paradoxes and reconciling seemingly contradictory concepts. For example, finding balance between effort and surrender, individuality and interconnectedness, self-improvement and self-acceptance. Embracing these paradoxes helps expand your consciousness and transcend dualistic thinking.
3. MINDFULNESS:
Practice living in the present moment. Engage in activities such as meditation, journaling, deep breathing and mindful movement exercises such as yoga to anchor yourself in the present and reduce distractions. This helps you stay grounded and centred.
4. SHADOW SELF:
Delve into the depths of your subconscious and explore your shadow self—the parts of yourself that you have repressed or denied. By acknowledging and integrating these aspects, you can achieve a more holistic and balanced state of being.
5. AUTHENTICITY:
Embrace your authentic self and live in alignment with your true values, passions, and purpose. Authenticity fosters a sense of wholeness and balance, as you are no longer living according to external expectations or societal norms.
6. LIFESTYLE:
Pay attention to various aspects of your life, including physical health, relationships, work-life balance and leisure activities. Aim for moderation and avoid extremes. Find ways to nourish your body, mind and spirit through healthy habits, meaningful connections and enjoyable pursuits.
7. SURRENDER:
Practice detachment from outcomes, expectations, material possessions and rigid beliefs surrendering to the flow of life. Recognise that true fulfilment comes from within rather than external circumstances and letting go of attachments frees you from unnecessary suffering. Embrace uncertainty and trust in the higher intelligence guiding your journey. Surrendering allows space for growth, transformation and greater alignment with your true self.
8. GRATITUDE:
Cultivate a practice of gratitude in your daily life. Appreciating the present moment and expressing gratitude for the blessings in your life can bring a sense of balance and contentment. Gratitude shifts your focus from what is lacking to what is abundant, fostering a positive mindset.
9. COMPASSION:
Develop a compassionate and loving attitude towards yourself and others. Practice forgiveness, kindness, and empathy. Cultivating these qualities opens your heart and deepens your connection with others and the divine.
10. INTUITION:
Trust your inner guidance. Your inner wisdom knows what is best for you on your path to enlightenment. Cultivate a relationship with your intuition and learn to listen to its whispers.
11. PATIENCE:
Understand that the journey to spiritual enlightenment is a gradual process and it unfolds differently for each individual. Practice patience with yourself and others. Embrace acceptance of what is, while also nurturing your aspirations for growth and transformation.
Inner balance or equilibrium often follows self-realisation and ultimately it deepens enlightenment. Remember, the journey to enlightenment is not linear and balance may ebb and flow.
Balance is not a static state but a dynamic equilibrium; balance is not a final goal but an ongoing process; balance is not a destination but a constant journey.
Balance is a state of being that is always in flux hence we need to harness the levers from the perspectives listed above to maintain our balance whenever the dynamic circumstances of life and various internal and exogenous factors inevitably and constantly shift our individual state of being away from our dynamic equilibrium, even after we have managed to find our “initial” balance.
Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you navigate the ups and downs of this transformative journey. Trust that you are exactly where you need to be, and embrace the process with an open heart and mind.
Balance is the perfect state of still water. Let that be our model. It remains quiet within and is not disturbed on the surface
With all being said, balance is natural. Spiritual enlightenment is also natural. Everything tends to balance in the whole universe, not only on our limited individual level. Yes, entropy / “chaos” may actually be the natural state of nature but along with it there is a permanent state of constantly recalibrated “order” that exists within that chaos.
You begin to find balance when you understand natural laws and collective consciousness, but to achieve the ideal state of harmony within yourself and nature at large, you need to relinquish control.
