Decades ago, while attending college, a friend showed me a video. "Koyaanisqatsi" played a mournful sung chant of this Hopi word for 'Life unbalanced' while showing scenes of apocalyptic destruction, global pollution and horrendous violence.
I have reflected upon this much in my life and my more recent fuller exposure to Buddhist philosophy has brought me a deeper understanding. Buddhism likens life to a turning wheel, perhaps one that supports a vehicle. The buddha spoke of 8 spokes of this wheel, which represent practices and habits of thinking that balance ones life. If the wheel of unbalanced, then as it wears down it becomes even more so, and the wheel eventually breaks and wrecks the vehicle it supports.
We are the wheels on which society runs. When even one of us becomes unbalanced, perhaps placing ego before compassion, work before family, rest and relaxation before work, or skews our priorities in any direction away from center, then we begin to spin out of control, eventually breaking down and no longer helping society to run for anyone's benefit. In fact in some cases we help crash society in a ruinous cataclysm.
Buddhist dharmic wisdom teaches eight good habits of practice and mindset that help keep us centered and balanced. These are...
1) Right Perspective - Seeing all consciousness as one, all beings as equal in value, the supreme importance of learning wisdom and compassion, and the triviality and ego-driven nature of grasping attachment or hostile aversion.
2) Right Intent - Guided by the intention to be a benefit to all and do harm to none. By our actions, to give compassion and thus raise others closer to enlightenment. To be fully committed to walking the middle path of these eight beneficial habits till the end of life, through the inter-phase between lives, and on throughout the next life. To meditate for the benefit of all and not only for ones self.
3) Right Speech - Speak truth, compassion, understanding and wisdom. Never deceive, lie, blind or manipulate. Let every word be a blessing of grace on others. Speak only that which is necessary to bring benefit. Keep it simple and be silent otherwise, listening to what others say or communicate without words.
4) Right Conduct - ethical and moral conduct. Just and fair, generous and kind, loyal and faithful, keeping promises made. faithful and monogamous in marriage and love. Not covetous.
5) Right Livelihood - Earning the needs of life honestly, with hard work, cheating no one, using only those profits needed for ones own needs and those of ones family. Paying employees fairly and generously. Taking the life of no conscious being. Causing none to suffer.
6) Right Effort - Diligence in everything, balanced with the right amount of rest needed to continue in diligence. Never flagging or giving up on that which brings benefit.
7) Right Mindfulness - Aware of everything and everything, of the whole picture, of the collective needs and well being of all. Conscious of others' needs as well as our own. All are equal in importance. Noticing beauty and joy. Noticing suffering and pain in others. Noticing the transformation of consciousness upon death and rebirth, and of beauty.
8) Right Concentration / Absorption - Focus and full absorption in the well-being of all, in the moment of meditation, in the act of service, in whatever we are engaged in. Able to meditate until the curtain of mortal illusion dissolves and we perceive the timeless, dimensionless unity of the consciousness in all things and the impermanent ethereal illusory nature of physicality and outward appearance.
When these things are done in a balanced way and beneficial habits of consciousness are developed and pervade our understanding, then the wheel will be balanced and we will help everyone progress in the journey. We will be able to say "Hozhǫ́ Náhásdlįį" Navajo for "balance and wellness are restored".
And when this happens, happiness and joy will abound for all.