One of the aspects of the quality ‘presence’ is the ability to be able to be connected ‘within’ to a centre that is calm, expansive and subtle whilst remaining available to the more dense world of what we might describe as ‘normal daily living’. Bringing those two worlds together – the more subtle with the more dense is not an easy one. The ability to hold this place of what we might call ‘tension’ isn’t about tension at all…it’s entirely about beingness.
For sure that meditative quality is present providing a space within which all other ‘activity’ can be assimilated.
Whenever we meet someone who has developed real presence, we notice in them a stillness that isn’t about lack of action or sitting cross-legged on the meditation cushion. For sure that meditative quality is present providing a space within which all other ‘activity’ can be assimilated. The process of assimilation brings forward responses (both literal and activity related) that often feel very wise. Perhaps irritatingly so because presence isn’t large or grand or overbearing, it’s humble, deep and generous and can appear so effortless potentially giving rise to less lofty feelings of envy?
Effortless though it is not…it becomes so only after dedicated work and focus, as we work to truly get to know the subtle space, the expansive centre that in truth is our essence, our soul. And yet, even if our moments of presence are fleeting, the impact of it is so uplifting for us, and those around us, that surely it’s worth the hard work.
To be able to hold our active, practical, ‘daily living’ life in perfect balance with our inner life is a major step in being able to release all the qualities of our heart, our soul, and our essence. And for sure our world needs those qualities now more than ever.
The image that they taught me to consider is that of the circus equilibria on a single-wheeled bike that supports plates with sticks. The two points that most affect are the contemporaneity between concentration and flexibility and the ability to have a constant overview.
Each of us is a balancer in our daily life. The key point of the question of balance is an active and reciprocal involvement of both parties that constitute us: right and left, vision and strategy, rationality and creativity. Keeping both hemispheres of the brain active allows you to have your own natural predisposition to balance, a dynamic balance that allows you to flow in harmony with life.
This principle applies to all areas of life bringing balance in all these areas and balancing between the areas themselves. In every area the rational and creative aspects intervene. Understanding both and making them interact, as the wise balancer shows, favors a balanced state rich in perspectives and opportunities
What a wonderful image and way of describing the balance we are all seeking Aldo – thank you. The challenge as always is getting beyond our ability to describe as you and I have done into a lived expression of that balance and I find that’s a bit by bit, day by day thing with some days better than others…
What a great article. The words are vibrant creating images as poignant as the image for the article yet give they us hope and direction, they teach and guide us . Well done Lorraine
Thank you Larry – that’s very generous of you – Lorraine