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Goldilocks, Dualism and the Equinoxes
September 22, 2021
“Wisdom tells me I am nothing. Love tells me I am everything. And between the two my life flows."
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
What does it mean to be both nothing and everything? To have one’s life flow between nothingness and everything-ness? We live in a dualistic world: light and dark, summer and winter, day and night. The pendulum swings back and forth, and life is lived among all the pairs of opposites.
The fall equinox is upon us.
The spring and fall equinoxes are characterized by an equal amount of day and night, light and dark. Summer is light but can be too hot; winter is dark and often too cold. Yet during the equinoxes, Goldilocks’ porridge is just right – in equilibrium, harmonious, centered and balanced between the two.
It happens so gradually it is nearly impossible to perceive exactly when the change occurs from one season to another, although scientists tell us this one will occur at 3:22 pm EDT today (September 22, 2021). It’s like trying, while walking, to perceive the exact point at which one’s balance shifts from one side of the body to the other. Left and right, back and forth, to and fro.
The fall equinox is upon us.
The spring and fall equinoxes are characterized by an equal amount of day and night, light and dark. Summer is light but can be too hot; winter is dark and often too cold. Yet during the equinoxes, Goldilocks’ porridge is just right – in equilibrium, harmonious, centered and balanced between the two.
It happens so gradually it is nearly impossible to perceive exactly when the change occurs from one season to another, although scientists tell us this one will occur at 3:22 pm EDT today (September 22, 2021). It’s like trying, while walking, to perceive the exact point at which one’s balance shifts from one side of the body to the other. Left and right, back and forth, to and fro.
Between the two my life flows
Of course we desire balance in our everyday lives. But even more than that we want to be in the flow, riding the crest of the wave, carried by the momentum of a force larger than ourselves. This flow state is a state of mind: aware and involved, focused and energized. It is a gift of grace that happens to us spontaneously when we are enjoying an activity and become fully immersed in it.
But the material world is a world of dualism. Most of the time we are oscillating back and forth along the arc of the pendulum. Yet it is also by nature a world of vibration and energy. If we work with these natural cycles and universal forces, we can experience greater balance, harmony, and peace, and we will find ourselves flowing in the state of grace.
In my desire to better work with these universal forces, this summer I attended a spiritual workshop and retreat. Since then, in my attempt to integrate several new spiritual practices into a daily routine, I have been living at the extremes of the pendulum’s arc.
One day, I am proud of myself for completing the full practice. The next, I’m squeezing in a zip-line version just before bed. Or doing shorter segments here and there. Or reverting back to an old familiar practice. Or skipping a whole day. Off and on, back and forth, stop and go.
I take comfort in the thought that my experience is much like that of a baby learning how to walk: I’ve fallen a hundred times, I wobble, I hold onto furniture, and no one in their right mind would call me graceful. Yet I know that soon I’ll be walking across the living room, running through the backyard, riding a bicycle, driving a car….
But the material world is a world of dualism. Most of the time we are oscillating back and forth along the arc of the pendulum. Yet it is also by nature a world of vibration and energy. If we work with these natural cycles and universal forces, we can experience greater balance, harmony, and peace, and we will find ourselves flowing in the state of grace.
In my desire to better work with these universal forces, this summer I attended a spiritual workshop and retreat. Since then, in my attempt to integrate several new spiritual practices into a daily routine, I have been living at the extremes of the pendulum’s arc.
One day, I am proud of myself for completing the full practice. The next, I’m squeezing in a zip-line version just before bed. Or doing shorter segments here and there. Or reverting back to an old familiar practice. Or skipping a whole day. Off and on, back and forth, stop and go.
I take comfort in the thought that my experience is much like that of a baby learning how to walk: I’ve fallen a hundred times, I wobble, I hold onto furniture, and no one in their right mind would call me graceful. Yet I know that soon I’ll be walking across the living room, running through the backyard, riding a bicycle, driving a car….
Stop...
Earlier this week I had a dream that, when interpreted, indicated a fear of some changes these new practices could bring to my life. Being the intuitive life coach that I am, I reflected on the fear: how likely are these changes to occur, how can I know they would be bad, and what can I do to prevent any unwelcome outcomes?
...and Go!
Now I am mitigating the risks – making decisions and taking inspired actions to support my new endeavors: researching, investigating, committing, and completing. And already I am reaping the benefits: not only less fear and greater peace of mind, but also material, measurable progress in both my personal and professional areas of life.
Find your flow with us
And where are you at this equinox? Between which apparent opposites are you flowing? Are you looking to bring a new energy or balance into your life? How may we help?
For over fifteen years at Inner Compass we have helped thousands of people to navigate major life changes, discover greater meaning and purpose in life, explore meditation and other spiritual practices, develop intuition, find fulfilling work, cultivate meaningful relationships, and above all else, heal. Now, after more than a year of relative quietude, we are entering a season of experimentation and intentional play as we explore new delights and settle into a fresh, comfortable rhythm. As always, we hope that you’ll find something that you feel was created just for you. And we hope you'll join us soon!
For over fifteen years at Inner Compass we have helped thousands of people to navigate major life changes, discover greater meaning and purpose in life, explore meditation and other spiritual practices, develop intuition, find fulfilling work, cultivate meaningful relationships, and above all else, heal. Now, after more than a year of relative quietude, we are entering a season of experimentation and intentional play as we explore new delights and settle into a fresh, comfortable rhythm. As always, we hope that you’ll find something that you feel was created just for you. And we hope you'll join us soon!