Imagine standing in front of a lavish buffet spread at a star hotel. The tantalising aromas tickle your taste buds, the presentation is eye-catching and tempting, the food is piping hot or pleasantly cold and you are spoilt for choice what with the array of dishes soups, starters, main courses, salads and desserts. You go right ahead and tuck in. How do you feel at the end of it? Stuffed. A little sick in the stomach and tamasic (slothful and dull). The reason? Excess.
Whether with food or drink, going overboard is bound to create health issues, affect your spiritual quotient and translate into inaction, imbalance, disappointment and unhappiness. Too much of a good thing, even nectar, becomes poison ultimately. Which is why our spiritual masters have always recommended moderation in everything. Following the golden mean and manoeuvring oneself deftly on that tight rope between excess and indifference is central to finding joy and staying anchored at all times.
Moderation is also considered one of the three jewels of the Tao, along with compassion and humility. The Tao Te Ching (Tao meaning path) is an ancient Chinese text by Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher who extols the virtues of simplicity, high living and moderation, which pre-supposes frugality and generosity. In the very commercial market that we live in today, retail therapy is promoted as a chill pill and a stress-buster. Excessive and unnecessary consumption of goods and materials is certainly not good for the human spirit and the world. Driven by the desire to acquire and hoard more and more it can never lead to contentment and gratitude for we are in a perpetual state of want.
Excessive consumption necessitates over-production and depletes the scarce natural resources. As is often said the earth produces enough for every man’s need but not enough for every man’s greed.
In matters of the heart and while wielding power too moderation is advisable. When we smother someone with too much love and want to possess and control them the relationship runs into rough weather with the other person rebelling. Whether it is our children or spouse or sibling, we need to give each one their space and let them be their own person. Shakespeare offers words of advice, “Love each other in moderation. That is the key to long-lasting love.”
And finally with power too, moderation is the watchword. Ever so often we have seen those in power becoming drunk and intoxicated by it and ending up autocratic and dictatorial because they begin to believe they are invincible. Power should be looked upon as a means of rendering service and providing good governance. Arrogating too much power by fair means or foul is a sure-fire recipe for disaster.In closing, remember everything in moderation, even moderation.
The writer is a Reiki channel, yoga practitioner and a spiritual seeker
