Finding Balance - From Surviving to Living
Finding Balance - From Surviving to Living
Maybe some students can relate to my
experience that I would like to share. I have been reflecting on the importance
of living life, right here and now, to find balance which allows me to do what
I do to my best ability. I love studying
at RYI, I think it is one of the greatest opportunities to fully emerge myself
in learning and practicing the Dharma - full time, 24hrs. But - yes, there is a
'but' - there are challenges.
Because I value my studies, there are
times when I just survive to study. I endure what is happening around me,
putting off life for some later time, and I ignore my needs for self-care and
balance. So diligent, right? It might be, but it is not sustainable in the long
run. When the batteries run low my studies will suffer however much I try to do
well. Just living in Kathmandu bears lots of energy draining challenges for me,
whether it’s the air pollution, the constant noise surrounding me, the bikes
honking and nearly driving me over, the crowded streets with everyone pushing
me in all directions, needing to be vigilant not to be cheated even when buying
basic groceries and bargaining all the time, the unreliability of pretty much
everyone especially with regard to time (yes, I'm German ;) ), or are anything alike. I had to notice that in this kind of
environment I'm
capable of mustering only a fragment of the
concentration and energy that I could somewhere else in order to perform to my
own satisfaction in my studies.
It feels awful to get stuck in this
passive mode of survival. But, for as many big or small challenges there might
be, there is an equally endless amount of ways to counter-balance them. The
techniques for addressing our special needs with regards to self-care differ
from person to person. Personally, I admire the thought of living in a
minimalistic way, thriving on alternating between study and formal practice,
when in actuality, my journey to achieve a lasting sense of balance has taken
its own course.
For starters, there are the essentials:
a home-base, exercise, nutritious food and access to life beyond the
Boudha-bubble (having a motorbike goes a long way, literally!). For me there is
nothing more rejuvenating than waking up in a mountain village on a crisp
morning and being awed by the snow-glad Himalayas. In my day-to-day life, I enjoy quality
time with friends, playing music, gardening until my balcony is a jungle-oasis,
going to the movies, going to the Saturday market in Lazimpat, staying in
regular connection with my family and friends back home, getting massages,
treating myself to brunch at the Hyatt, etc. etc. The list could go on.
In the end, it comes down to finding the
balance that works for each of us. My belief is that when we take the time to
live in the present moment, we sow the seeds for joy in our long-term goals. The
potential to sculpt our environment rests in our own hands; therefore, I hope
you´ll take the opportunity to reflect on the importance
of balanced living and its impact on your studies and practice.
~ Inka from Germany
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