Balance

Definitions

• Weighing machine / Scale
  
• Zodiac sign for Libra
  
• Difference between income and expenditure, dues and payment
  e.g. Balance Sheet,
  Balance of a back account
  
• Control
  
• Moderation / Avoiding extremes

Aerial Artists

• Aerial artists usually employ safety nets.
• The Flying Wallendas (seven family members) performing the Human Pyramid were the exception. One fateful night, a member lost balance causing tragedy.

Dhammacakkapavatna Sutta

Buddha’s First Sermon mentioned the avoidance of two extremes :

• Indulgence of pleasures
• Self-mortification.

Moderation

• With mental lapse, middle aged and elderly can lose balance easily.
  e.g. slip beside the bed
• Moderation is the key to health and happiness.

• Blood thinner helped a friend get back his health.
• Overuse of blood thinner sent another to the hospital.

The following may be detrimental to one’s health

• Over-exercise
• Lack of exercise
• Extreme diet
• Over-eating
• Over-sitting
  In some meditation retreats, the practitioners alternate sitting meditation and walking meditation
• Not much sleep
• Over-sleeping

It is important to maintain a balance for most things (especially work and family).

• Several astronauts had success with the flights, but had family problems.
• Some entrepreneurs had success with the business, but had family issues.