"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony." -- Thomas Merton
The other morning when my husband asked me if I wanted another cup of coffee, I replied, "No thanks, I want to keep my spiritual equilibrium." I went on to explain that I don't like that jittery feeling when I've had too much caffeine, especially when I want to stay calm and peaceful.
I think each of us has a different comfort level when it comes to keeping a sense of "balance" or "harmony." But sometimes certain things can be disruptive to that balance, and we don't always listen to our inner voice that tells us "this doesn't feel good," or "this is uncomfortable for me," or "this isn't enjoyable," and can go along with something that is actually upsetting to our spiritual equilibrium, which means it's throwing our well-being off slightly, and we feel it.
In order to keep your spiritual equilibrium, you have to know what that is for you, and once you do, you'll be more aware of not wanting to disrupt it.
Here's a meditation to connect you to your spiritual equilibrium:
1. Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
2. Take three deep breaths in and three breaths out.
3. On your next inhalation, say the word "realizing."
4. On your next exhalation, say the word "balance."
5. If your mind starts to wander, focus on your breath, and continue repeating "realizing" and "balance."
6. Try and connect to that place within you that feels calm and peaceful.
7. Let yourself drop deeper into that feeling.
8. Allow yourself to stay there with no interruption.
9. When you're ready, bring your attention back to opening your eyes.
10. Sit quietly for a few minutes with your spiritual awareness.
When we meditate, we can experience a feeling of balance and harmony. That is spiritual equilibrium, and if we can keep that state even when we're not meditating, we will be more aware of what disrupts it, and not allow for it.
For some people, like myself, too much caffeine disrupts it, but for someone else, it might not, but maybe something else does.
That's what makes each of us uniquely different, and finding the right formula for our spiritual equilibrium, our own special thing to discover and honor.
For more by Ora Nadrich, click here.
For more on meditation, click here.