thoughts on balance

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

joya250	20 Jul 2002
hey guys. Been away for a few days -- and when I get back all these exciting new topics. like circumcision. LOL. (warning -- don't get into a conversation about circumcision right before you go to bed; you'll dream about it all night! haha) .... anyway, okay... last night I was having a conversation with a close friend. we were talking about things occultish, etc. And, suddenly the concept of real "balance" -- and the REASON to explore your "shadow" became perfectly clear... now forgive me if this is remedial for you... but I just want to share, cause I'm excited that it all seemed to make perfect sense... as you know, we are made (or classified) up into two main halves -- the conscious and the subconscious (the male/female, positive/neg). We are pretty much aware of the conscious thoughts, since they are our normal waking mind. However, to embrace the subconscious we need to "face our shadow" (or so it's been called.) -- and can do this by first realizing what we have manifested into our lives that we may or may not like -- and then accepting it and encorporating our "dark side" (subconscious) into our life. in thinking about this -- I thought about the Pillars of the Tree. the polarity -- and realized that that is the true balance we humans are striving to achieve -- because only through balance can we truely "go with the flow" -- and also, this seems to be the basis for directed manifestation. This balance, or coming together of opposites is seen all around us in nature -- the male and the female joining to create new life. (knife in cup) In order for true harmony, we have to enact this union within ourselves. (A tough job.... but someones gotta do it. haha.) Once we are at a equilibrium, we are able to create and "give life" -- to manifest. How God-like of us! anyway, I could ramble on, but I fear I might start repeating myself. I know this seems pretty commonsense-ical... but it's different (like Ravenswing said in a previous post) from reading the theories and the books -- to when it all CLICKS and you say, "yahhhhhhhhh." LOL thoughts? :) on, on a side note -- I think meditating on the meaning of balance is a great idea. It's one of those things, for me anyway, that seems to have lost it's true meaning from being overused and marketed in our society... you know, everyone is saying you need "balance", eat a balanced meal, etc., etc.... that you tend to think about it in relation to the mundane (and breakfast cereal!) :D (edited to add more stuff)

Ravenswing	20 Jul 2002
if you think about it, the lovers depicts this wonderfully. ravenswing

jade	21 Jul 2002
i agree that we need to experience the darkness to appreciate the light otherwise we don't know why we are in the light! in light, jade

zorya	21 Jul 2002
i'm a big believer in exploring our shadows! it can lead to such huge leaps in spiritual growth. hidden and ignored shadows will just pop out unexpectedly when we least want or expect them. knowing them, gives us control. having gone through several "dark nights of the soul", i want to recommend that anyone exploring their shadows, put together a support group first. (i mean that loosely, as in have people ready, who can listen) even if it is here on aeclectic!

jade	21 Jul 2002
very good suggestion zorya! in light, jade

Laurel	23 Jul 2002
I have the most marvelous book called "Meeting The Shadow" edited by Connie Zweig and Jeremiah Abrams. I highly recommend it. Its a series of articles and essays talking about exploring the shadow and the concept of balance. Personal and cosmic balance is the concept that really motivates my Kabbalistic studies and my fascination with the concept of Tikune as well. Laurel

joya250	23 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Laurel .... the concept of Tikune as well. wassthat? ???

Laurel	23 Jul 2002
Tikkun is a Kabbalistic concept. It means literally "repair". Tikkun Olam "repairing the world" by bringing personal and cosmic opposites into balance is one of the central precepts of Lurianic Kabbalism.

Marion	25 Jul 2002
"Your Golden Shadow" is good as well.

The thoughts on balance thread was originally posted on 20 Jul 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.