Balance. Purpose. Enlightenment.
Extremes or Moderation and Balance?
Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all virtues. – Joseph Hall
Today’s keyword must be EXTREME! Extreme sports, politics, candy, drinks, flavors, electronics, escapes and more drown out the subtler tones like a rock concert makes it hard to hear life’s normal sounds for awhile. In all the noise there’s little space for the gentler peace of moderation and balance. Do these terms seem boring in the extreme to you? Or do the quieter vibrations of moderation and balance resonate at some deep level as you search unconsciously for the serenity these qualities promise?
How would you rate your personal balance? Is your schedule hectic, filled with too much to do? Do you gulp down fast food because you’re too busy or tired and just want to feel good, hoping those fries will do it? All of us crave exhilaration in meeting the day’s events and complementary times of peaceful rest. But how can we experience that if our calendar alarm launches us full tilt through our waking hours?
Counterintuitive as it seems, things begin to settle into place if we can get off the merry-go-round long enough to slow down, be still, and listen. At first the hectic pulse of life outside your door may seem to make this impossible. Your mind races off in seven directions. You may feel extremely uncomfortable being alone with your own thoughts at first. But on the other side of that discomfort beckons a sense of tranquility and self-control well worth the effort. Are you strong enough to calm your unruly thoughts, turn off your phone, TV, or computer and explore the wonders of quiet reflection?
In these precious moments, can you talk with God about yourself, your life, your fears and your gratitude, and trust He is listening? And as they tell us to do on a flight, put your oxygen mask on first, so you can help others with theirs.
Why make that effort? Because, if the most important requisites for human spiritual advancement could be summed up in two words, they would be moderation and balance.
A fanatic can’t be moderate because he closes his mind to everything that doesn’t agree with his view. He refuses to consider any except his own which gets narrower and narrower until it becomes a rut. Fanaticism, prejudice and intolerance bring so much human misery. Moderation, open-mindedness, and tolerance lead inevitably to balance, understanding, and inclusion.
To make important progress as human beings, our lives must be lived in a way that equalizes spirituality, mentality, and materiality. As we move closer to that beautiful balance, real advancement comes within reach. You can prove this for yourself. Pick one place where you know you go overboard. Maybe when you talk about something you’re deeply interested in, you over-embellish and say too much. You know how this affects you when you hear it. But how restful and interesting to listen to someone who is moderate in his voice and his words. Almost always, moderation is more convincing and reassuring than wild enthusiasm.
So start today to use moderation and balance in all you say and do. Consciously reach toward that peaceful, controlled outlook so characteristic of those like the Masters, who are really advanced, knowing the nearer we come to balance, the closer we are to earning a place in the better world of tomorrow, and the more we can help those around us.
Why not try it for a week? Let us know what happens. We would be most interested.
Copyright © 2016 Lemurian Fellowship
8 thoughts on “Extremes or Moderation and Balance?”
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Consider un-moderating your actions, and moderating your expectations, your entitlement, and your impatience, or admit you don’t want it that badly.
When I find myself suffering from work deadlines and the needs of a family, if I just close the door physically and mentally, and just sit to ask for help and guidance, a new sense of calm and not being alone becomes available to me. Sometimes, I even wonder if somewhere inside of me I want to be this busy and out of balance so I don’t have to look too deeply within or acknowledge that I don’t want to deal with what surfaces when I am alone with myself. Over time, when I do stop, sit with myself and ask for help and guidance, I begin to understand that I am never really alone. Then I can simplify my life and come closer to balance.
There are some great comments listed here. I can agree with what Eric says – and indeed remember a simpler and peaceful time – when I was growing up. I love too, the phase in the article ‘explore the wonders of quiet reflection’. The world seems to be telling us to live life at 100mph – but I am happy to understand a little of the truth that quiet reflection leads to greater peace and harmony within my being. The key could be to embrace the positiveness of the wonders of our modern technological world, but with inner calmness and virtue.
I agree with Yakabu. When I take the time to enter into a tranquil period, life is not nearly as hectic as I thought it was. And there really is a purpose for what happens to me. Even knowing this though, upon occasion I forget about balance and mundane cares and desires get the best of me. It is always up to us to search out the balanced way and not let the hectic world interfere with our spiritual program.
It can really be amazing what you would discover when you can get off the normal hectic daily routines and go into tranquility for a time. Sometimes in the past when I was beset with issues of life such as awaiting bills, economic issues, misfortune of a relation and so on, life seemed burdensome but when I got into a quiet place and mentally detached myself from all else, I discovered that whatever seemed to be a worrying situation is for a purpose and has a remedy. This realization gave me a great sigh of relief and rest. It is true that “in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength.”
I remember an expression heard while in the seminary that applies in this context: “virtue stat in media” virtue stands in the middle, i.e., balance. Moderation flows from balance, it is the offspring of a balanced approach to life. Moderation and balance are a most powerful force in life . . . they put you in charge with your hand on the tiller, allow you to captain your ship towards your port, guided by whatever stars you choose.
A very good commentary on life today. I’m old enough to remember when things were simpler and there was less technology intruding in day-to-day living. It also seemed to be a happier time, with folks interacting with each other on a personal basis rather than through devices. A hand written letter is still a treasure to me, when you think of the thought and effort that went into this type of communication. Moderation and balance lets you pull over to the side of the freeway and think about what you are really doing!
It is tempting to look back to simpler times and remember the happiness that was part of them, and many of us can sure relate to this. A big difference, and what many of us miss, are the connections with people that were closer, more relaxed, and somehow more satisfying. But if we found ourselves back there, we’d miss a lot of what we have today. Like being able to research any topic on our phones instead of having to go the library. Or being able to order a replacement part you need online instead of having to drive all over town looking for it. We have exponentially more options now than we did then, which doesn’t seem like a bad thing in itself. The question for us seems to be, can we use discrimination to make wise choices among all these options, use them to enhance, but not allow them to take over our lives?