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What today is called moderation is actually a central Buddhist teaching which is called the "middle way". That means living between too much and too little. One way the Buddha presented this teaching came via his friend Sronakotivimsa who was musician who played a stringed instrument much like our modern guitar or violin. On one occasion, Sronakotivimsa, performed for the Buddha and his disciples. Following the concert, the Buddha asked him: "What are the consequences when the string is too tight or when it's too losse?" Sronakotivimsa replied: "When the string is too loose, it cannot be played; when it is too tight, it breaks easily."
The Buddha used his answer as a teaching moment for his disciples when he said: "Monks, spiritual growth and evolution is much like playing a string instrument: it should not be too loose nor too tight. We should only follow the middle path." Perhaps today the Buddha would use the word "moderation" or the phrase "be a moderate".
Some ways for us to live in moderation can be applied to areas such as:
The Buddha used his answer as a teaching moment for his disciples when he said: "Monks, spiritual growth and evolution is much like playing a string instrument: it should not be too loose nor too tight. We should only follow the middle path." Perhaps today the Buddha would use the word "moderation" or the phrase "be a moderate".
Some ways for us to live in moderation can be applied to areas such as:
- Work. We need to work in order to live, not live in order to work. A daily or weekly schedule can and should include work along with leisure which allows time for meditation, exercise, socializing.
- Diet. Rather than constantly moving from one fad diet to another, it would be smarter and simpler to eat healthy meals in moderation.
- Politics. Rather than maintain rigid positions embrace some flexibility. Challenge yourself to see other points of view and why people hold those.
- Technology and social media. These are absolutely wonderful modern innovations but they should serve us and become sources of toxicity and negativity.
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