Balance (2006)
Lyrics for the song written for and performed at the 2006 Bodhi Nite
What if life doesn’t go your way?
What if your effort doesn’t pay?
What if the traffic’s such a pain?
What if storms should come with rain?
Will you maintain an unshakeable balance?
Let us not discriminate (or hate!)
Let us not accumulate (greed!)
Let us walk the middle path
With an open heart and laugh.
Is this the path to an unshakable balance?
Chorus
Can we see things for what they are?
Perceptions cannot change who we are.
Our feelings will not control us
If we’re mindful of where it roams
In equanimity.
When the mind likes, it pulls;
When it doesn’t it gives a push.
When the mind does not have greed,
Then it feels so calm and freed.
This must be the path to an unshakable balance.
Inspiration for the Finale song, “Balance”
‘Balance’ was inspired by all those times when equanimity is essential in our everyday life. From traffic jams to general unsatisfactoriness, we may tremble without equanimity. We may not be aware of the anger that arises when we face unpleasant situations, or the unhealthy attachment that forms from feelings of like and dislike. We may not know of the grasping nature of the mind, as it swings from one extreme to another, pulling this way and that like a tug-of-war. We may not see our defilements of greed, hatred and delusion when we are caught up in it. So the insight awareness to this grasping and the practice of the Middle Path as taught by the Buddha allows contentment, unconditioned joy, and equanimity. Once aware, we can fortify ourselves so we will not be perturbed by the sensory pleasantness and unpleasantness that blinds us, so that our Balance will be an Unshakeable one.
