Moderation

Reading from Monday, April 16, 2012 class

This is from the book, "The Secret Power of Yoga" by Nischala Joy Devi

DON'T UPSET MOTHER NATURE!

When nature's balance is upset and large amounts of energy are deployed at one time, the repercussions can be devastating.  A raging forest fire, a hurricane, a blizzard, a volcanic eruption, an earthquake: all are dynamic yet destructive releases of nautre's power.  Fortunately, theres flare-ups are infrequent, and most of the time we enjoy nature's changes with metronome regularity, such as night and day, summer and winter, sun and rain.

Our bodies, minds, and emotions also respond positively to regular cycle and schedules.  If we are fortunate, balance and moderation frame our lives, and very little of our vital energy is spend making adjustments or restoring equilibrium.

Brahmacharya, the art of living a moderate life, is a challenging practice in our modern society.  When times were simpler, we were more aware and respectful of our bodies, minds, and emotions.  The need to adjust our energy was heeded before our energy was depleted.  A farmer, knowingly or unknowingly, designs his lifestyle according to the fluctuations of nature's cycles.  During the planting and harvest time, he understands that a large outpouring of energy is necessary.  The respite needed to replenish the weary body will come naturally with the shorter days and longer nights of winter.  The rhythm of the seasons naturally restores balance.

In these modern times, because of the great technological advances, our activities no longer depend on time of day or the seasons.  We have the ability to control heat and cold, light and darkness.  Manipulating nature in this ways seems to encourage everything BUT moderation.  The concept of moderation is usurped by the "do more and then do much more" attitude.  If our tendency is toward overactivity, society waves our speeding train onward.  The ability to earn an income while living a life of balance seems more difficult in these contemporary times.