Middle path and it's wonders

Over-slack the strings are mute,
                                                        Over-stretched they snap in twang.

The above lines said by Gautam Buddha about music instrument like a lute/ sitar/ harp /fiddle /guitar /lyre/violin played by plucking its strings are very much true and the same principle applies to our life also. Middle path means neither harsh/ cruel nor loose but a cleverly thought over, without haste, way without causing irritation/ ill-will for anyone. It is a tested, feasible, acceptable and most constructive path for achieving success by human beings. It is only the middle path which holds and controls the entire activities of the world maintaining its dynamism. We are plagued with many vicissitudes of life ( like twister, thunder storms and gusty winds ) and have thus to tread our path very carefully and, sometimes, lie low like a weeping willow tree and avoid arguing with others. Remember that time is swiftly changing. It is also necessary to live life unattached with worldly things in the present crowded and tangled world. It may, sometimes, change one’s usual course and meaning like rowing the boat not in the middle of stream/ river or sea when in spate. On doing contrary to this our boat, may be a life boat, will capsize. Sometimes, in spite of treading middle path, we become helpless against Force Majeure. Therefore, one should never, ever forget Lord Supreme but supplicate for His benediction and favours. 

Whenever one is in two minds/ bipolar, opt the middle path to avoid pit-falls. One should not be of disordered mood or personality. It is wisely said that one should tread right path even if it is a lengthy one. If you have to cross a crowded road and none budges to your request for giving way/ access, it is better to pass through the openings of straddled legs of persons carefully and meticulously instead of having any reprisal, creating ruckus or opting bellicose attitude. In the same way the water flowing down, from the peaks of mountains to the planes, escapes many blockages through recesses and crevices, as a middle path. Always; ego, anger, jealousy and hatred come on our way to maintain cordial relations. Our life should not stagnate but go on flowing and growing even by facing the ups and downs firmly and diligently. If you wish to vent out your anger on someone, please show it from outside only, otherwise you will burn your heart and wrench and ruin yourself only. Those who keep their life and behavior in equilibrium are always successful and not shattered.

As the parched soil falls apart widely for want of rain and becomes barren/ infertile and unproductive causing drought and hunger, the same is true due to our strained relations.
                                                                                                                                                          
Even at home the altercations take place causing rift and flare-ups amongst family members. We suffer this malady with low spirits because of our sheer ego or ignorance for not taking middle and careful path and striking a balance which also upsets the social fabric. Sometimes one has to surrender due to unfavourable circumstances to maintain harmonious relations. One should not create un-necessary phobia (fear) which may take gory shape later on, reaching the point of no return. So, please quench such flames of irritation/ disenchantment with love, harmony and understanding. Love is a unique verb, not simply a word of inaction.

Those who do not choose the middle ways pass through the coarse, thorny and rugged situations of life with bruises of failures and never adjust according to circumstances. Someone may misuse one’s naive and humble habits. So, think well before taking any action. Extremism is equally dangerous and full of gorges and someone may take undue advantage of it. In the fit of anger and enmity we may adopt violent ways or play a tug of war to solve our problems and get more and more entangled and fall prey to someone’s drag-net which is dangerous. It is necessary to strike chords to integrate with society and unite the fractious and devastated people.

Even consumption of food and drinks are to be avoided in extremity as this will make you victim of addiction. Thus control of sense organs is very necessary.

By opting the middle path, one’s life becomes smooth and pleasant. The other gains are calming down/ mollifying the frayed tempers, becoming equipoise, not tumbling down in depression and anxiety, free from laziness and not leading sedentary life but switching to reverberating one. Such a person will not crave for any rewards. He will become an embodiment of love and unity and a sought-after person, not a chutzpah. Due to diligent work he will make a mark and in-roads and feel bludgeoned in many spheres of life. If someone gives wings to his ideas he will soar high in his efforts to achieve goal. Middle path enhances one’s professional competence as well and ultimately, he will bask in the glory all round.

The right path/ action should have consensus of all as far as possible. Some require middle way (hot and cold combined) and skillful language in measured tones to chastise them. Our ways should be balanced with convincing views and devoid of evil designs to win the hearts of others. It is a challenging route to success and one should not go astray while dealing with others. One should control sense organs to let pass the whirlwind of difficult circumstances and leave the result to God whose decisions and other dynamics are difficult to understand and interpret. We should form the habit of tolerance, forgiveness and ignoring. We should avoid curt/ blunt/ repressive and offensive words and instead handle the situations carefully, politely and diplomatically. When we don’t agree with someone but, still, wish to maintain our relations intact, we should use the words, “I agree to disagree.” Sometimes, observance of silence also acts as a middle path as it speaks volumes by itself. Tactical brilliance used by King Poras to Alexander, the Great, to get back his lost kingdom was of great value instead of using placating language or surrender to him in despair/ paranoia/ coercion/ rattling or feel broken. Lord Krishna’s discourse to Arjuna, in battlefield, in the form of Gita was a middle path between the pushes and pulls of Dharma (moral duty) and Adharma or emotional tug of war. Equanimity and its importance (including balancing effects in joy and sorrow) is very much discussed in Gita for God realization—Chapters II, VI, XII, XIV.

They say, “Money makes the mare go,” but in our case it is pure humanity, love and selfless service which act as lubricant for moving the cogs of heavy wheels of life. Mind it that a sharp instrument of love chops down/ prunes many evils of our life. If you have realized that you brought nothing in this world and will take back, absolutely, nothing, you have learnt not only the way of treading middle path but the art of living and meaning of spirituality. You were, simply, dancing on the tunes of Lord Supreme. Spiritual path is not a dilly-dally one but well thought over and safe. Be, always, alert and mindful to take the rightful, moderate and balancing path as directed in scriptures, holy books and by the preceptor/ True Master. If you follow God in faith, He will show you the right and balanced path. By blending the honest, precision balanced, sacred and secular lives we can live harmoniously and in a lively way.