The Middle Path

Once when I was in high school they showed a film (on a projector!) of a bridge blowing in the wind. It was one of the first suspension bridges. It swung back and forth. Gradually it began to shake itself apart. Finally it was completely destroyed.

I saw this also when working in mental health, often with an individual who would swing to such extremes that they too shook themselves apart. Sound familiar?

The middle path is a term I learned from Buddhism. Basically it means not to go to extremes. In the sense that I am touching on it also means to maintain one's focus on what is truly important, to not get distracted. 

It can also have political implications. The middle path is not necessarily the middle path if it pulled too far to an extreme. In Nazi Germany the middle path would have been pulled so far that it would not truly represent the clarity that walking the middle path brings. The clarity of being able to come from the heart instead of becoming a reflection of our environment. 

We choose our own destiny when walking the middle path because it focuses on our truest values. It is not a reflection of the actions of anyone else, but truly connects with the joy of the purpose of fulfillment. It serves us by allowing us to serve the moment rather than our preconceived notions. 

This is setting an intention to not go to extremes, even during extreme times. Especially during extreme times. Stay calm. Do not get too high, or too low.  No matter what, we are going to make it work out in the long run. Truly know that. Life does not have to be predatory. It can be celebratory. Win-win. This is the Middle Path.