Life can be unpredictable and chaotic, filled with unexpected twists and turns that can leave us feeling disoriented and uprooted. How can we find balance in the midst of such turbulence?
The Taoist Teachings
The Taoist teachings offer valuable insights into achieving balance and harmony in our lives, even amidst disruption. The Tao reminds us that life goes on, even as we make plans. Events and occurrences ebb and flow like water, adapting and changing according to conditions where necessary. Sometimes it’s calm, serene, and clear, and other times it’s tumultuous and muddy, but always moving.
Maintaining balance is an ideal state, but it’s important to remember that opposing forces – Yin and Yang – operate at varying degrees depending on current conditions and context. Striving for balance gives us purpose and inspiration, but it’s also vital to accept that life changes, and sometimes we must let go of our preconceived notions and resist our fears to flow with life’s dynamic currents.
The Farmer and His Horse
The Taoist tale of the farmer and his horse is a powerful reminder of the ever-changing nature of life and the importance of embracing new beginnings. The story goes like this:
Once upon a time, there was a farmer who lived in a small village. He had a beautiful horse that he used to plow his fields and transport his goods to the market. One day, the horse ran away, and the villagers came to the farmer to express their condolences, saying, “What bad luck! Your horse has run away. How will you manage without it?”
The farmer simply replied, “Good luck, bad luck, who knows?”
A few days later, the horse returned, bringing with it a group of wild horses. The villagers came to the farmer and congratulated him, saying, “What good luck! Your horse has returned with more horses. You are now a rich man!”
The farmer simply replied, “Good luck, bad luck, who knows?”
The next day, the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the new horses and fell off, breaking his leg. Again, the villagers came to the farmer to express their condolences, saying, “What bad luck! Your son has broken his leg. How will you manage without him to help you with the farm work?”
The farmer simply replied, “Good luck, bad luck, who knows?”
A few weeks later, the army came to the village to conscript all the able-bodied young men for a war. But when they saw the farmer’s son with his broken leg, they passed him by. Once again, the villagers came to the farmer and congratulated him, saying, “What good luck! Your son doesn’t have to go to war!”
The farmer simply replied, “Good luck, bad luck, who knows?”
This tale teaches us that events are just events, and it’s our perception that labels them. Whether it’s good luck or bad luck, fortunate or unfortunate, who knows? The universe is unpredictable, and what may seem like a disaster one day may turn out to be a blessing in disguise the next.
Embracing New Beginnings
To achieve balance, we must embrace new beginnings and view disruptions as opportunities to grow and learn. Mindfulness meditation or movement meditations such as Tai Qi, Dao-In, and Qi Gung can help us develop a greater awareness of our thoughts and emotions, allowing us to observe them without judgment and ultimately release them. By embracing the present moment through mindfulness, we learn to flow with life’s dynamic currents and achieve balance.
Personal Anecdotes
Recently, I’ve had to uproot myself, relocate further away from my training place and work, and deal with the financial debt, burden, and frustration it created. It also created challenges with traveling to work, and the disorder and disruption a sudden move created. However, I’ve learned to embrace these changes and find ways to maintain balance and harmony in my life, actions that work for me, at the moment.
Conclusion
Remember, your journey towards balance and harmony begins with a single step in the right direction. Embrace the present moment, and you will discover harmony even in disruption. By accepting and letting go, all gets done, and balance gets achieved. Sometimes, letting go of our preconceived notions and resisting our fears allows us to flow with life’s dynamic currents.
What do you think? How do you handle change?
Musings on Martial Arts, Taoist Philosophy & All Things Wellness Related. 