Finding Balance

Balance in Nature

From the fundamental unit of an atom to the ends of the universe, there is balance. It is inherent in the natural world; nature finds balance in its existence. The question is, how can we find this balance within ourselves and with our environments?

What is balance?

There are various perspectives that could be explored.

In Mathematical equations, LHS = RHS (left-hand side and right-hand side of the equation) indicates balance. In Chemistry, there is balance in chemical equations. Achieving this as part of their lessons has troubled the minds of many school and college students.

Another perspective could be ಸ್ಥಿತ ಪ್ರಙೆ as mentioned in the Bhagavad-Gita – the balance of awareness and mind. Is this truly attainable?

To me, the human mind seems to strive towards attaining balance – a perceived sense of it or even an abstract form of it. One of the most common struggles today – balancing work and home life.

Pondering

My take on this is that balance is a natural phenomenon. Over time everything seems to average out and find its own balance. It is not necessarily static; nothing comes to rest. It is a dynamic phenomenon. In an ever-changing universe, balance is also momentary. Of course, in the universe’s timeline, ‘momentary’ could mean ‘a few billion years’. On the other hand, in the timeline of our lives, momentary could be a minute, a day, a week, a year, or any other duration. It is a highly relative term.

The question remains – should we actively strive for balance or believe that everything will eventually balance and move on? For each one of us, the answer is incredibly unique and personal. If you thrive in a balanced environment, then it is important to achieve it. If you can thrive in a state of imbalance, then take a shot at that kind of life. Eventually, however, everything balances out.

Philosophically Indians believe in the concept of karma – the balance of all our actions. Sometimes, it stretches beyond life and death. Sometimes, it is just in this lifetime and maybe only a few aspects of life. Overall, the core idea is essential for the mind to make sense of everything around it.

Reflection

Maybe that is also the reason that we are obsessed with body weight (pun intended) to check if we have balanced it all well. A balanced diet, balanced life, balanced mind – we look for it everywhere. Good and evil, happiness and sorrow, health and disease, wealth, and poverty – these are all guiding our lives day in and day out.

Navaratri is the time we spend with ourselves and our loved ones. This Navaratri, we wish you all a well-balanced life.

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Sriraghavan S M

Sriraghavan (Raghu) is an Astronomer by qualification (MSc, Astronomy, Bangalore University) and a teacher by passion. He is a trained counsellor and psychotherapist. His firm belief and conviction to transform the education system in India led him to be an entrepreneur through NumberNagar®. His core work at NumberNagar® revolves around product presentations, academic content, and training. He teaches Maths and Science to young students, rubbing off his passion to them. He trains teachers as well, inspiring them to better themselves. He has taught Physics in educational institutes, during his early career days. He has travelled extensively all over Karnataka, training teachers and popularising Astronomy. He advocates multiple intelligence and is constantly on the lookout for new things to learn. He is ambidextrous and enjoys sketching. He was an avid cricket player in his younger days. He is an enthusiastic biker and uses long solo motorcycle rides as means of reflection and rejuvenation.

Latest posts by Sriraghavan S M (see all)

• Why self-directed learning is the need of the hour - 2 July 2021
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• Finding Balance - 23 October 2020
• A case for Alternative Learning - 9 October 2020
• Why I am a teacher - 4 September 2020