Being Balanced

Learning how to remain balanced is a vital part of healing and one I work on steadily. To me, being balanced means living equally through all three parts of our being: body, mind, and spirit. Throughout many times of my life I’ve teetered out of balance in these areas. Thankfully, I eventually find my way back to balance with some focus and intention. 

Growing up, I was taught that only the body and mind existed, and I focused all of my energy on them while my spirit suffered. This looked like me exercising (body) and studying (mind) and ending the day in tears (suffering spirit). Conversely, when I first had my spiritual awakening, I was so in awe of God that I focused all my energy on spiritual matters while my body and mind were put on the back burner. It takes practice to live into all three parts of ourselves. It takes time to learn to do this with grace.

When I’m suffering or having anxiety, I tend to veer into the mental aspect of my being only. I overthink and worry about everything. During these times, leaning into my higher, spiritual self seems impossible. Tipping the balance back into the soul helps immensely to take a big-picture view of whatever I’m dealing with, but it can be so difficult to remember to do this in the midst of stress and strife!

Likewise, being in the body can help one remain light and free and present to the tasks of daily living. It’s easy to let worry and stress build up in our bodies and to neglect them. In these times, drinking or overeating becomes a coping mechanism, instead of healing the parts of ourselves that need healing. Recently I’ve renewed my Kundalini yoga practice to help me clear energetic blockages and free up space in my body. I feel lightness and peace after I practice, and it’s truly wonderful.

Body, mind, spirit. How do you like to stay balanced between them?