How to work on your life balance.

Mindfulness Talk

There are many everyday ways to work on our balance.  We can work on our physical balance by actively focussing on our feet, feeling the pressure on all four corners.  We can practice balancing our energy in a workout, making sure to include both strength and stretch.  We can work on balancing our mind/body connection by silencing our phones and our thoughts, tuning into the silence of the self.   But none of these includes the word “perfection”. 

So many articles out there focus on creating a balanced life, but what they really mean is creating a perfect life. 

They mean creating a life where the goal is to smooth out the ups and downs.  This elusive life is the perfect balance of home and work, alone time and relationship time, self-care and caretaking, popular style but also individuality, a powerful voice and also gentle listening ear.  We get hints and tips to help us create balance, but if we really lay it out there what we really desire is smooth perfection.

That’s what modern society says about balance, but how about the ancients? Yoga calls a balanced life samatva.  But samatva isn’t about creating smooth perfection, it’s actually the exact opposite.  Samatva is about seeing the ups and downs of real life and knowing that this is both normal and natural.  And what about the eastern philosophy of yin-yang? That’s about seeing the balance in everything that happens, good and bad.  It’s not about being frustrated that our life has ups and downs, but seeing the ups and downs as true balance.

Imagine yourself wading out onto a sandy ocean beach. Perhaps up to ankles, or maybe deeper. Imagine the feel of the waves jostling you a bit - messing with your balance. It’s frustrating to hold your own against the natural power of the waves. Instead, imagine yourself letting go. Perhaps you step in and out of the water with the rhythm of the waves. Or perhaps you lift up your feet and let the waves do what they do.

You are worthy of a balanced life.  Which means you are strong enough to see balance for what it really is. Let’s stop trying to hold our own. Let’s stop trying to smooth out the natural. Instead, let’s remind ourselves that we are strong enough and worthy enough to work on our balance by walking the other way or picking up our feet. Let the waves do what they do.

Meditation

Finding Present Meditation:

Perhaps use this video of ocean waves today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtf4seUACG8

Focus on the sound of ocean waves. Notice how each wave varies in intensity and length. Notice how your own breath varies as you inhale and exhale. Just notice and breath.

When you are ready, open your eyes and end here.  Or, begin the mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness Meditation:

Continue breathing to the sound of waves.

Now image yourself wading out onto that sandy water up to your ankles. Imagine the feel of the waves jostling you a bit - messing with your balance. Now imagine yourself turning your back and walking away from the wave when it flows, and walking back out when it ebbs. Just keep noticing the waves and walking back and forth on the sand. Don’t be surprised one of the waves brings with it a memory or thought or feeling.  Just notice it, turn your back and walk away from it. Continue to do this with your breath for as long as you wish.

Now image yourself wading out a tiny bit deeper and sitting down in the water. Imagine the feel of the waves pushing at your belly, making you bend back a bit. Now imagine yourself doing the wave! When it flows at you, fluidly bend your body back and when it ebbs fluidly bend your body forward. Just keep moving your body fluidly and flexibly around each wave. Don’t be surprised one of the waves brings with it a memory or thought or feeling.  Just notice it, and fluidly form yourself right around it. Continue to do this with your breath for as long as you wish.

If you want, image yourself wading out deeper yet. Imagine the feel of the waves shoving your whole body back a bit. Now imagine picking up your feet or even laying back. Just let each wave move you. Don’t be surprised one of the waves brings with it a memory or thought or feeling.  Just notice it, and ride it and let the confidence of natural world move around you. Continue to do this with your breath for as long as you wish.

Closing Routine:

When you are ready, rub fingers together and take three cleansing breaths. Or use any closing routine that works for you.