Living attuned to the undivided bodhipower of the Unborn Mind and Spirit is a matter of proper balance—of attuning oneself to the inner spiritual equilibrium that determines a healthy and well-managed lifestyle. The two previous posts focused on what it’s like when this vital equilibrium is absent—and that is imbalance. We know what it’s like when the material world runs headstrong into the natural world; we know what it’s like within ourselves when we focus too much on our head to the neglect of our heart…and vice versa—when the emotions run amok and completely submerge our rational thinking. One of the best exposes on this can be found in Colin Wilson’s classic work, The Outsider…in particular his chapter on Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov. Each brother represents one aspect of the human and spiritual dimension—for instance, Ivan represents the Intellect, while the younger brother, Alyosha, depicts the more emotive, religious temperament. Wilson’s work is a marvelous case study in the psychological, philosophical and spiritual dimensions of what constitutes the holistic development of man.
The one salient factor in all this is that “spiritual equilibrium”—without this essential focus, then all the other dimensions of what constitutes a well-balanced lifestyle will come to naught. A well-developed expose on this pivotal factor is Tozen’s teaching on this equilibrium—it’s well worth the watch.
It seems that today will be a very good day. Defeated the Demon of Sleep and woke up very early, like I always want to (but usually fail and oversleep). Reading this post and listening to the words of Tozen with this morning coffee; I think to myself: “Balance – in all things. – Our Lord Buddha didn’t teach excess. –”
This morning meditation was “fresh”. It’s good if one becomes light-footed, how easy is to be an explorer then! – Hard to climb the One Great Mountain with so much philosophical luggage, with the heavy backpack of theories and opinions. – So I decide to just drop it here. Exploring from zero again. With the “seriousness of a child at play”: again see the mystery and wonder, beyond habit. Form, matter, sensation, perception, will, consciousness – What are they? Where do they originate?
Clearly seeing: I am not … matter, sensation, perception, will, consciousness.
In this year of the water Dragon I make the resolution to become more a Giver, and less a Taker, and to find Balance between Mind and Heart.
Years ago I was asking, incessantly: “Where do I find a Dharma teacher?” – I must say: they appear when perception is right. When perception is clouded, there will be no Dharma teachers. When perception is cleansed, and heart becomes more compassionate, Dharma teachers appear and assist in innumerable ways.