I posted a note this morning saying “When in doubt, take the middle path”. This is one of the biggest lessons you learn in Buddhism. Venerable Buddha himself (Sinhalese address him as Buduhamuduruwo) experimented with three different paths in his spiritual journey to attain nibbana. As a prince, he lived a life of luxury. He was shielded from suffering and that didn’t bring lasting satisfaction or deeper understanding. After renouncing his royal life, he studied under renowned spiritual teachers, which didn’t fully help him to find what he was searching for. Then he turned to extreme fasting and self mortification, eventually became too weak and realised starving the body weakens the mind. After that he discovered the middle path, (Majjhima Patipada in Pali) a balanced path between indulgence and self-denial.
Basically, you have to find your middle path without leaning into two extremes. For an example : your diet. In a world where there are extreme dieting programmes, it might be difficult to not to be influenced. Weighing everything you eat, close control over your diet is dissatisfying you. (Let’s be honest). The other extreme is the YOLO so eat whatever you want. That’s also dissatisfying. Both paths are making you sick. Find your balance, eat intuitively without giving into your cravings. That way, both your mind and body are satisfied.
Following are couple of ways for you to include this teaching in your life.
Earning money ethically, while not tying your worth to your job.
Using social media mindfully, not getting lost in the scroll or ghosting life.
Creating a spiritual practice that’s consistent, not all or nothing.
Setting boundaries with compassion, not with resentment or people pleasing.
Lovely read 💕
Great read! Great reminder 🧠✌️