Interesting question on 'Balance'

[Guest guest]

Further to question from Mr Brown on 'balance'

 

Following reply recd======

 

To Mr. Brown,

 

Balance is a fundamental aspect of hindu culture and

is considered the basis for final emancipation

(moksha). The perfectly balanced & stable state is

considered to be that of Brahman which has no

imbalance or disorder at all. There are various ways

in which this balance is sought to be achieved.

 

At the personal/ individual level,

 

1. balance is essential between the different

energies in our system to be able to achieve mental

control and equilibrium. This is achieved through

balancing various chakras and circulating energies

between them, during meditations. There are several

techniques for this.

 

2. Pranayama (breathing techniques) such as alternate

breathing, provide balance between the right and left

hemispheres of the brain, thereby balancing the male

and female aspects of our personality.

 

3. Yogic exercises are also meant to balance out the

energies in our system besides enabling an easy flow

of these energies through our body.

 

4. Vedic chanting and daily prayer rituals are

designed to discipline our mind and provide a balance

between our various emotional energies. (This area is

vast & complex and should be studied in great detail

to understand its efficacy).

 

5. Health aspects have also been covered through a

balanced system of dietary restrictions such as strict

vegetarianism for the people at the highest spiritual

levels to lesser restrictions at each lower levels.

This depends on the 'guna' nature of the person (

sattvic, ragasic, tamasic). Fasting and regular

exercises have also been provided for. Balanced diets

providing for different types of nutrients, through a

variety of vegetables and pulses during each meal, are

very common in India

 

At the social level,

 

1.The concept of 'dharma' is such a broad and complex

one that it automatically provides a balance within

the social system. Traditionally,every person has a

specified dharma or duty ( dharma means

righteousness, The Way and duty, all in one) which is

in line with his capabilities and inclinations.

Carrying out that duty is essential to maintain a

balance in society and also to enable the individual

concerned to evolve to the next higher spiritual level

..Every dharma has a counter dharma to balance it out.

 

A few examples to outline the dharma of different

persons is given below.

 

a) The dharma of a doctor is to save lives and that of

a soldier is to kill the enemy. (This is true in all

cultures, of course)

 

b)Traditionally,it is the dharma of a person at higher

spiritual levels (brahmin) to be passive and caring

and to help everyone to grow spiritually by

dispensing spiritual knowledge. It is the duty of the

king and other administrators to respect and protect

such people and keep them from harm.

 

c)Traditionally, it is the dharma of a vaisya (

merchant) to make money. It is the dharma of a brahmin

to shun all wealth. The dharma of a brahmin demands

that he literally 'begs' for his food (biksha) every

day. It is the dharma of every vaisya to give him food

& clothing. A brahmin should never be refused.

 

d) It is the dharma of every wife to be devoted to her

husband and in laws. It is the dharma of every husband

to be faithful and loving to his wife and of his

people to protect and look after his wife with great

care.

 

e) It is the dharma of every parent to bring up their

children with love and care and teach them the values

of life. It is the dhama of every child to protect

his parents and to respect them as god himself (matru

devo bhava, pitru devo bhava).

 

f) It is the dharma of every child to respect the guru

as god himself (acharya devo bhava). It is the dharma

of every guru to love and treat his student as his own

child.

 

g) It is the dharma of the people at the lower rungs

of society to serve the others, while it is the duty

of the people at higher social levels to see to the

needs of the poorer people through regular 'dhaan' and

public feeding.

 

The list is endless. All these duties have been

clearly specified and have been followed for several

thousand years by Indian people. This provides a

balance in society and makes it very stable.Ones

duties towards animals and plants have also been

specified thereby taking care of the ecological

balance. Planting trees is considered a sacred duty.

 

2. Besides ones dharma in general, the 'ashrama'

system by which a person goes through different stages

of 'brahmacharya', grihasta', 'vanaprasta' and

'sanyasa' , also provides a great deal of balance in

the society by clearly outlining the duties and

responsibilities of an individual at different stages

of his life. Learning & education, work & social

duties, marriage & marital duties, sexual life,

bringing up children, providing guidance to the

younger generation and finally retiring from life to

seek final release from bodily life, have all been

taken care of, without emphasizing any one aspect more

than the other.

 

All this provides great balance in every individuals

life and helps him in spiritual progress, besides

providing balance and stability in the society as a

whole.

 

If you need any further clarifications, please feel

free to write.

 

Thanks & regards.

 

Sriram