Balance, focus, awareness, relaxation
The idea of achieving balance in life came up several times the past few days. Our pastor spoke yesterday about how easy it is to equate busyness with doing something valuable. Someone told me that I was selected for a leadership position with our missions team. Others were talking about busy.
Balance requires focus. When I teach balance poses in Yoga (basically standing on one foot and doing something with the other one), I always begin by teaching focus. You must focus on one stable object.
The spiritual implications of this should be obvious. No matter what you are doing, you must remind yourself of your focus every day. First thing in the morning in your meditation and prayer time is best. Then organize your schedule (remember Hybels’ teaching?) to achieve the important things.
Balance requires emptying your mind. The second teaching point I give in Yoga is to empty your mind of all senseless chatter that goes on incessantly. I teach that after students try the first and discover that after a few seconds they begin to wobble and then have to drop the other foot. A quiet mind goes along with focus. Again this works for life, as well. And early morning quiet time–coupled with regular breaks for intentional breathing–help to quiet the mind.
[As an aside, “productivity gurus” advise working in 90 minute bursts followed by a break to refresh and renew. A few minutes of deep breathing, concentrating on your breath, letting the mind relax, all work toward spiritual and mental refreshment. You can do this sitting, walking, or laying down.]
Balance requires relaxation. This may seem paradoxical. But once you have achieved, say Tree Pose (pictured), you are focusing, clearing the mind, then relax your shoulders. Clear the tension. Settle in.
TS Eliot talked about the “still point” in his poem Burnt Norton. Follow these three steps to reach toward the still point where you find balance in your life.
Faith Venture 
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