Through A Shaman's Eyes
Balance
by Jeffrey Pierce

Between the pursuit of our goals and dreams, the practice of our spiritual paths, and the constant grind of our mundane lives, it's easy to allow our lives to get out of balance. I'm not someone who can offer themselves up as an example of what a balanced life should look like. In all honesty, I'm right there in the trenches with you, trying to do my best and figure it all out myself.

One of my teachers once told me that balance is simply a manner of approaching life where none of the parts of ourselves are neglected. For me, given all of the responsibilities in my world - as a parent, a writer and photographer, a romantic partner, and a spiritual teacher - I find it difficult to make time for even necessities like sleep. But balance is something that I strive for and I get a little closer with each passing year.

"Balance" - photographed in Salem, Oregon (October 31, 2007)

On our spiritual paths, balance is finding the equilibrium between study and application, between focusing on our own wants and needs and caring for the world around us and those in it. As pagans, we have a special connection not just with the weave of Nature, but with all living things. We need to remember that our desires impact those around us. Sometimes a simple adjustment - such as taking a more environmentally sound approach to the way we live - is all that is needed to achieve balance. But sometimes it's realizing that our own desires may actually cause more harm to the weave around us than the good they will serve. So I'm angry and I want to let it out. If I unleash it at those closest to me, do I do more good by venting the energy or does the harm that I cause outweigh the release? We need to alter our approach to find a path that doesn't just cause harm, but one that creates good.

In the example above, we have a very real need to release the angry energy we're holding onto and our loved one is standing right before us. By unloading on them, we're verbally expressing our anger. What if we did something as simple as say, "I had a really bad day and I'm really angry about it - could I talk to you? I'm not looking for advice; I'm simply hoping that you'll offer me some comfort and understanding." Maybe we don't get it right the first time - or the fifth - but if we keep practicing, we create a pretty remarkable connection with that loved one, one where we can step beyond the craziness of the moment and create something beautiful from energy that we label as negative.

We also need to remember that the story of our own personal growth mirrors the phases of the Goddess - Maiden, Mother, and Crone. It's just as important for us to embrace the playful, exploring nature of the Maiden as it is for us to exhibit the nurturing guidance of the Mother or the wisdom and patience of the Crone. Sometimes we need to rely on the sage advice of the Crone, either offering it or receiving it; sometimes the hard work of the Mother is called for; sometimes - and it's really okay to do this - we need to simply let go, run off with the Maiden aspect of ourselves, and take a moment to play. The key is finding balance between all of those aspects of ourselves so that the play doesn't attempt to skirt our responsibilities, but allows the Mother to recharge so she can tackle the task at hand. The closer we come to mirroring and honoring all three aspects of the Goddess, the closer we'll come to truly finding balance within ourselves.

Thoughts? Comments? You can contact us at connect@oldways.com or interact with Jeffrey, Briana, and the Old Ways community on our Facebook page.

Originally published in Old Ways on November 25, 2007. Revised and posted on December 28, 2011.