Balance

Dear friends,

I have read a number of articles about “balance” recently, especially as things seem more chaotic than normal. Surely it is better to be balanced than imbalanced! But there is an implication in that concept that I am not sure is as helpful to us as it appears, or at least may not be addressing the more important issue.

Balance suggests that if you go a little too far in one direction, the best thing is to then go in the opposite direction to, in a sense, even things out and come back to equilibrium. But it occurs to me that my teacher never spoke of balance. In reflecting on why that might be, I believe it is because his teacher, Paramhansa Yogananda, talked about coming from center at all times. Not about going too far one way, and then compensating by going too far the other way.

Now, speaking for myself, I find coming from center at all times is not easy to do, to say the least. But I do find it helpful to remember that the way to come from center more and more is not by balancing movements away from center with movements in the other direction. It comes from anchoring more and more deeply in Spirit at all times — feeling that touch within as steadily and often as possible, and moving with grace from the heart once that touch is felt. Yogananda used the phrase, “Center everywhere; circumference nowhere.” There are so many extremes in play in all areas of life these days, it makes my heart smile even to just remember that beautiful and inspiring thought.

May we each learn to come from center more and more often, until it is our natural starting place for all we do and with all whom we meet.

Blessings,
David G., manager
For the staff at East West