“The Middle Way or the Muddle Way?”

“You’ve got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mr. In-Between”,

 Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters 1937 

“Fair to middlin’ ” were the recent words from a friend in response to the standard inquiry of “How are things going?” As this is a high-energy, high production, optimistic person I asked as to the change. They were engaged in a project that was just ambling along- firing on 2 cylinders. Not failing and not succeeding. Having known this person for some time I had no doubt as the long-term outcome- S-U-C-C-E-S-S. I am waiting for a follow call, probably within days, that reflected the confidence (and capabilities) of my friend. The major delta in this equation IS having a  “can-do” attitude. “If at first you don’t succeed…” is the mantra.

I have known others who use that same expression of “fair to middlin‘”, and you know that, once again, they are in a “muddle”, and the drama of it will likely diminish the true potential promise of the enterprise. So what does make the real difference between the two paths? Most importantly, where are you in this conversation?

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation” is one of the most famous lines from the book Walden by Henry David Thoreau in 1854. He follows it with “What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.” There is certainly a marked distinction between “resignation” and “confirmed desperation”, not only in tone, but in substance. One may well have a certain philosophic shrug of the shoulders in response to the latest news of our latest slide into authoritarianism, or the latest reports of war, and opine that “Well, that is the human” condition”. But true “resignation” implies a certain hopelessness, a certain air of predestination, even a certain ennui, that nothing can be done with any real effect. Thoreau saw this life “without hope” was the root of desperation, where we live in a solitary and silent hell. We end up failing to live authentic lives and prefer safety and conformity.

Would-be emperors and fear mongers count on this “quiet desperation”. Stifling dissent, discouraging true self-actualization are the tools of oppression that have been used since time immemorial.

So, what are the hacksaws that can cut through our thralls, saw through our prison bars? It all begins with the courage to look in the mirror and ask: “Are we fulfilling the promise(s) of our youth?” Do we wake up with dread, or worse yet, numbness, or do we arise to seek the new challenges of the day? As they say, attitude defines the altitude. We are now a month and a half into the new year in the western calendar, and, coincidentally, on the eve of Lunar New Year. If we contemplated or made “New Year’s resolutions”, it is a great time to re-engage with them. If not, it is the perfect time to chart a new course for yourself.

My recommendation in this process is to use the tools you already have for this self-evaluation. Whatever one’s growth practices, whatever one’s Sadanas, it is time to sharpen the saw. More than mere reflection, write down the assessment. Strengths and weaknesses; challenges and opportunities; assets and liabilities; and most importantly revisit your Goals. Then commit to some action plan, some regular activities that keep the (inner) fires burning.

Finally, enumerate your personal ”Board of Directors and Advisors”. Who, (or what) is supporting your efforts? If you find you have vacancies in the various positions, go out and recruit them. No one ever succeeds alone. Make this Lunar New Year on February 17^th truly a year of the Fire Horse. Be independent, be swift, and take bold action to move along your Life Path. Enthusiasm breed enthusiasm. Success engenders success. Consider yourself as a corporation, an enterprise. Find models of success that inspire you. Consider incorporating spiritual and emotional elements as well as material and practical metrics.

A true measure of success is the inner knowing that you are actualizing your potential. We are multi-dimensional beings. Reach for the stars yet equally go inside to see the real power of Joy, Gratitude, Sharing, Truth, Balance, Harmony, Love, and Peace. Include those qualities in the evaluation process. They provide the truest Light and Guidance on our Paths.

In the Book of Revelation, in the Angel’s review of the Seven Churches, the one that most miserably failed was that of Laodicea, for they didn’t even try…they were “lukewarm”. The New Testament constantly urges us not to hide out Light under a bushel, or to bury our treasure out of fear. Go boldly…Success will eventually find you. It is (Spiritual) Law.

Recently in our HeartMind classes we reviewed the acronym of: “F-R-E-S-H” as one of the tools of self-evaluation. “F” is looking at our Food choices; “R” is for considering our patterns of Rest; “E” is looking at Emotional blockages, and now we are at “S” for where we find ourselves Stuck.  Take this (Cosmic) opportunity to untie the (inner) knots of complacency, doubt, and fear. As the man said: “Live long and Prosper”.

The question posed in this blog is meant to have us reflect on whether we are just going through life, half asleep and afraid of truly waking up, or are we ready to embrace our true self and share our true nature. Having looked at life in Purgatory, what is “The Middle Way”?

One approach to understand this concept is to study the Life and Teaching of Buddhism. This fundamental principle advocates a balanced Path between the extremes of self-indulgence and hedonism and the severe self-denial and mortifications of asceticism to achieve Enlightenment.  This pathway represents a holistic and non-dualistic (as in “good vs “Evil”, etc.) approach to life. This guidance avoids binary and dogmatic views in favor of Wisdom and Mindfulness.

At Center Point we also seek the integration of Mind and Heart, Love and Truth.  Here, the HeartMind approach IS the Middle Way. Our heart is physically centered in the middle of our bodies.  It is the center of our LifeForce, for if that Light goes out…game over. It is also the true center of Wisdom, as well as the universally recognized place of Love. The goal is to integrate our “Hearts” and our “Minds” with our “Life Force” to achieve true Balance and achieve Self-Actualization.  That is, for us, the Middle Way, in modern terms. It is also a true Pathway to Inner Peace, and to true Prosperity. More to come…Next week we will focus on the “H” in the FRESH acronym- “Happiness”.