Creating Balance Through Rhythm

Balance is a state of being that refers to a sense of harmony, stability, steadiness and peace. In our daily lives of work, family and home, finding balance can become a challenge. In the juggling act that is our modern life, we often have so many balls in the air that our mind becomes clouded with a sense of concern and anxiety that we may drop one. And what would happen then? We would find ourselves being held accountable for a so-called “failure” to keep up all the demands. But where do these demands come from?

Whether we are stuck in a life that does not reflect who we truly are, or we are living our passion daily, a state of balance is foreign to the world in which we live. Isn’t that part of what we lightworkers are attempting to create? Isn’t that why many of us are here…to help others create the balance in their life that will lead to peace and harmony. What if we were to create the peace and harmony…amongst the chaos? Would balance ensue?

As a percussionist, I find parallels between rhythm and a balanced life daily. Every song has a heartbeat. It is the bass within the rhythm. When my percussive cronies and I get together and jam, we don’t find a harmony and then create the rhythm. We create the rhythm and then find the harmony.

In most recreational drum circles, the rhythm begins with the bass – the heartbeat. Then, participants fill in the gaps, building upon that heartbeat. The rhythm evolves from there – often speeding up, but at times slowing down. Sometimes participants who haven’t connected with their rhythm in a while will find themselves getting lost. Soon, they have lost the heartbeat altogether and are off on a rhythmical tangent that is out of balance with the circle. Some will try and speed up to find the heartbeat. This only creates more chaos. Others will stop drumming altogether and just listen to what is being played around them. I can see them breathing, smiling, and taking in the glory that surrounds them. By taking that time out, they not only benefit by just listening for a bit, but they find they soon fall right back into the heartbeat of the rhythm and are ready to drum again with a renewed sense of the balance.

This is such a great metaphor for life. There is a rhythm to all of life. There is a rhythm to our work, our family, our play, our sleep, our hunger, our thirst, etc. When we get out of balance, we have lost that rhythm. And hey, in modern times, everyone gets out of balance now and then – EVERYONE. The task at hand is to become aware of being out of balance, acknowledge it, and just stop. It is at this point that the only thing that will truly serve us is to just stop and be still for a time so that we can gather our strength. Trying to continue to juggle the balls in the air will only lead to further anxiety and stress.

Easier said than done though isn’t it? A balanced life is one that is a work in progress and requires a certain sense of discipline and dedication. We must have the willingness to take a break….often…so that we can regain and rebuild our strength and gain insight. How else are we going to change the world? Better yet, how else are we going to BE the change we want to see in the world?

When we allow ourselves to stop for a time, maybe an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year, or longer – we then have the clarity and inner awareness that allows us to hear the heartbeat of life. When we hear that rhythm and allow our bodies to align with it kinesthetically, we are then able to go about our day in harmony and balance. Laughter comes easier, our bodies resonate with energy and when the time comes for rest, we experience peaceful respite.

Our bodies are coded for rhythm. When we are in tune with the rhythm of our life, we are in balance. Try this exercise in aligning with your rhythm. Sit quietly for a moment and listen to your breathing. Put your hand over your chest and feel your heartbeat. With your other hand tap your heartbeat rhythm on your leg (or the floor or whatever surface you choose). Let your mind rest and go deep into your body. Let that rhythm evolve and begin to tap booth hands on any surface (perhaps a drum) creating your own rhythm that feels good in that moment. Breathe as you do this. Keep that rhythm going for a minimum of 2 minutes, but let yourself go as long as you like. Don’t get hung up it changes or you think you missed a beat….this is YOUR rhythm, so just have fun being in your body and expressing. When you are finished, stay quiet and still. Breath. Notice how you feel. This is a great time to tune into your wisdom.

Find your rhythm. Be in balance. Live well.