Balance: The Simplest Ascension Lesson

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By Ethan Indigo Smith

Contributing writer for Wake Up World

In spiritual circles today, everyone talks about ascension  – but few speak of balance. In order to practice basic self-development or metaphysical development – in order to become, in other words, we must be balanced. Without balance there would be no stability in being and no potential to become. Without balance, there is no ascension. Balance is the little mentioned and perhaps most important idea in philosophy, metaphysics, Hermetics, Tai Chi Chuan, and all processes of self-development.

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In the most basic sense, we must know our imbalances to become balanced. How can we know we are acting like a juvenile know-it-all, if we are not sensitive to it? It might be obvious to others, but the one playing out the pattern might remain oblivious to their own behavior! The only way juveniles, and adults behaving like juveniles, develop is through awareness and then balancing the imbalances.

The key to balance is of course first being sensitive to what balance is. Tai Chi practice is sometimes referred to as sensitivity practice. We develop sensitivity to situational reality internally and externally. We realize our internal and external relationships and can thereby take action to initiate balance toward more refined being ad becoming. Tai Chi is subtly the most efficient manner to embody balance and then ascend, just as it is obviously the most efficient practice to heal and then strengthen. The symbol known as the Yin Yang symbol is more accurately The Taiji symbol, the embodiment of balancing the spiritual and material, Yin and Yang aspects of The Taiji or Taijitu.

Without balance there is hardly any ascension, and what ascension there is may be ascension in imbalance, which can obviously lead to tipping and descension. With balance, ascension is not difficult. Taiji and the Taiji symbol are entirely about balance. Not so coincidentally, Thoth is the god of balance as well as the god of writing and healing – but I digress.

How do you provide for balance? First thing first is to be rid of unease and disease as much as possible. And how is this accomplished? First, realize that it is possible. It is possible to initiate beneficial chemical and physical responses via movement and mind. Tai Chi is among the best practices to do so.

Four Simple Lessons to Enhance Balance 

1 – Pay attention

Attention is the opposite of tension. As if the word is actually a-tension, attention leads to the ability to lessen tension. Be mindful of how you move and attempt to relax rather than be tense. Often this might require condensing and slowing your steps or movement, so as to make for softness and smoothness, thereby casually eliminating tension.

2 – Relax

Try to move in a manner that does not repeat tension or cause tension. Move in a way that creates little-no tension. Try not to sit, stand, lie or walk for too long. And try to sit, stand, lie and walk in a balanced manner and for balanced lengths of time. The Taiji version of relaxation can be understood with your own hand. Open it up to extremity, now let it completely go subject to gravity. Neither is Taiji, neither is relaxed. Now hold your hand in a manner about half-way in between the ends of the spectrum. This is a relaxed ready attention of Taiji.

3 – Stop the plop

Whenever you sit, lie, stand, or walk, do not be a slop. Be smooth if you drop and sink if you flop. Whatever you do be smooth and stop the plop. Mostly, most people, plop into their seats, their cars, their couches, and their beds. Try to be entirely smooth in your approach to each step as well as whenever you sit. Transition smoothly and entirely from one move or one place to another, such as from standing to sitting.

4 – Contrast

Instead of asking, ‘why me?’ ask ‘why not me?’ Instead of asking ‘what is the worst that could happen? ask ‘what is the best that could happen?’ Contrast negative patterns with new ones in order to engage positivity. One of the most important Tai Chi lessons is to take responsibility instead of being caught up in reactions. It is a simple lesson to impart yet requires practice and attention. Take responsibility instead of being made reactionary.

 Balance toward ascension! Peace!

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About the author:

Activist, author and Tai Chi teacher Ethan Indigo Smith was born on a farm in Maine and lived in Manhattan for a number of years before migrating west to Mendocino, California. Ethan’s work is both deeply connected and extremely insightful, blending philosophy, politics, activism, spirituality, meditation and a unique sense of humor.

You can connect with Ethan on Facebook, check out his author page on Amazon, or visit his new websites, Geometry Of Energy and Meditation 108, where Ethan offers lessons on individuation, meditation, the conceptualization of energy, and the metaphysical significance of 108.

Ethan’s books include:

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