Spiritual Skills

Balance

If I start thinking about balance in my life I realize those thoughts signal that I am out of balance in some way. Put another way, there are things I’d like to do that I just can’t find the time to do. For me, this often happens when I sit down and write a to-do list that spans every conceivable item I can think of.

Thousands of pages have been published on the web about work-life balance, mind-body-spirit balance, and sexual balance, and a few others. In general, most articles aim at helping you avoid a monolithic focus on one area of your life to the detriment of others you should be paying attention to. A huge number of them (“hits” in my Internet searches) aim at selling New Age services such as massage, psychic healing, tarot readings, seminars or workshops, vitality drinks or vitamins, or some other type of therapy – both preventative and restorative. Those with ‘content’ often touch on stress reduction techniques. The Mayo Clinic published one of the crisper articles in this area (read it here).

These thoughts address Spiritual Balance in our lives. Spiritual Balance is the root of happiness; it is joy, bliss, unconditional love, harmony, living in the flow, a sense of unity, and a calmness about your life, your transitions and the changes you’re going through.

Turning the phrase around it is about being in balance spiritually; there is alignment between your inner self and your outer self, between what you aspire to and how you behave. For instance, if you think that gratitude, kindness and charity are major tenets you need to emphasize, yet you normally take things for granted, and react with anger and stinginess then you are not in balance.

If you aspire to personal wealth (or anything else) yet believe it unattainable, you are out of alignment and out of spiritual balance; you prevent the Law of Attraction from working in your favor. Of course, the Law of Attraction can play a major role in delivering balance in your life, or, with the wrong attitude ensure that balance remains an elusive quest.

One area where you can get out of alignment is between past, present and future. As students of metaphysics we constantly hear the message to live in the Now. This doesn’t mean to forget the past or future, but to not let them become a burden – that’s being in spiritual balance. If I dwell in the past – shoulda, woulda, coulda kind of thinking – or worry or fear about the future and what it’ll bring, I am out of spiritual balance.

Some Thoughts on Getting in Balance

First, realize that Balance is a journey, not a destination. Many of you know I am increasingly a student of the Tao. Tao thinking on Balance suggests you put your will in harmony with the Universe; that you live in the flow with the Universe. The seeking is more important than the sought.

Second, appreciate that the Balance Point we seek keeps changing. Is your definition of Spiritual Balance the same this year as it was a year ago? Mine sure has changed. As you mature in your knowledge of spiritual tenets, principles and philosophies so will your definition of Spiritual Balance – the goal you seek.

Third, for me Spiritual Balance involves intimacy with other people. If I get too isolated in my thinking from other people, I separate myself from the strength of the Universe – the strength that other people provide to me and I to them. The old commercial theme from AT&T has merit: ‘Reach out and touch someone.’ Create new relationships; nurture old ones.

Fourth, and a seeming dichotomy with the previous point, allow yourself a healthy dose of private time. Constant interaction with others robs you of time you need to be contemplative, to arrange your thoughts in a meaningful way – a balanced way, or to find new ways of thinking. One friend takes periodical sabbaticals in her life so she can get back in balance as well as learn new spiritually based skills.

Fifth, meditate. If Spiritual Balance is about alignment between all the complex things in our life – in our mind, then one sure way of approaching balance is listening to the Universe. The only way I know to do this is to get quiet once in a while, push all ‘my’ thoughts aside, and listen to the Universe. I can do this sitting beside the water, on a walk or run, or even sitting at the computer and just tuning out of ‘me’ and going into ‘Listening Mode.’

Sixth, use positive affirmations. Fear and worry rob us of our ability to find balance, and we all have that problem some days. Know that you are a child of a friendly and supportive Universe, that the Law of Attraction will work in your favor, and that you bask in a flow of Love, health and abundance. I write my affirmations down and re-read them constantly until my down time passes. Often I can feel better – more in balance – before I even reach the end of my one-page list.

Lastly, move outside your comfort zone. Do something to jar your mind – to challenge the memes we were given as we grew up and got to where we are today. Break some rules you’ve set for yourself (or that someone else set for you). Break out. Break away. Move your thinking dramatically from one place to another. If you’re feeling out of balance and stuck in an old way of thinking, you may just need to upset things a bit in order to find a new, more balanced way of life.

So, I’m off on my journey again today – to find Spiritual Balance. I won’t find it by the end of the day, but I’ll be closer and feel better about it. Hopefully, I will learn a few things along the way and perhaps even break a few rules.

Love and Light to All,

This newsletter is to stimulate your spiritual thinking in the hope that it will contribute to your spiritual growth. The essays are not meant to be complete treatises on the subject, only short papers to stimulate your thinking. The author invites your comments and critiques by reply e-mail to bob@futuremoons.com.