A Brief History of Balance 5

Sattva, Wabi-Sabi, Zen, Tao, Sufi

I think it's appropriate to delve a little further into Eastern traditions and interpretations of oalance. In a world of 7 billion people it is unsurprising oalance has been culturally diversified. Many Eastern representations are of a spiritual and mental balance. I've spoken of Zhongyong and Samadhi, so now I'll speak of other Buddhist interpretations, and Islam also.

The majority of these terms are known to us in the Western world. They play some part in our conscious but are certainly not known to the masses for what they are. We here them banded around but don't really know what they stand for.

Sattva is a broadly Hinduistic term for 'purity'. It relates to all aspects of day to day life and the bright light of godliness we can all achieve through living within our means and living harmoniously with each other and our environment. I attach this link for a full analysis http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/articles/id/spiritualresearch/spiritualscience/sattva_raja_tama but what does seem clear is how intricately sattva embodies all oalance is.

Japanese people understand just how difficult it is to put oalance in context. Which is why they find it so difficult to put Wabi-Sabi into words. It acknowledges how nothing in isolation can ever be considered 'perfect'. Confusingly, the idea of imperfection itself can be considered Wabi-Sabi though the great balance of a thing need not necessarily be thought of in the terms of perfect form. Certainly, Wabi-Sabi appears somewhat as the practical realisation of the Zen Buddhist ideals, but the boundaries are so unclear.

When it comes to Zen we come across the apparently ritualistic and religious part of the belief in Enlightenment. Scriptures, meditation and monasterial duty are all part of the need for mindfulness in day to day life and a simple appreciation of the natural and of yourself for what you are. The experience of 'turning your outer eye in on yourself' and becoming one through training and practice are the character of the spirituality of Buddhism. Release the burden of imbalance and you shall be Enlightened.

Tao introduces us to the Chinese. If anything, Tao shouldn't have a name, for like many of these principles they are metaphysical abstracts unexplainable in natural terms, hence inaccessible to the limits of human language. Tao is perhaps the most potent realisation of the god force. Something that was here before us, with us now, and forever present - 'All things arise from Tao. They are nourished by Virtue. They are formed from matter. They are shaped by environment. Thus the ten thousand things all respect Tao and honour Virtue. Respect of Tao and honour of Virtue are not demanded. But they are in the nature of things. Therefore all things arise from Tao. By Virtue they are nourished, developed, cared for, sheltered, comforted, grown and protected. Creating without claiming; doing without taking credit; guiding without interfering - this is Primal Virtue.' Tao is the largest, holistic term we've come across. Tao is oalance. Like all these spiritual interpretations, they are all explainable in natural terms.

Finally, Sufi. Islam is not immune from unity. Of course Allah, like the Christian and Jewish God, are the most disturbing ideas of oalance present in today's society; it would be naive to suggest basic spirituality is not present. Sufi is unity and harmony and love of God. An inner propriety available to us all. It might not be as closely related to our natural origins and sentient beings as other ideals yet it still brings balance to people's lives, and peace and prosperity to thousands. Sufism is purification, and from purification comes love and God. The shariah law, most known to outsiders, is the practical side of Sufism. The inner law is one of the Sufi heart.