The following is my opinion and view on how I see these two words, balance as a verb which describes an action & integration as the noun which describes the method to achieve the verb. To balance the different aspects of ourselves through integrating them all so they hold equal influence, association & equity in the expression of our consciousness in its current physical form. The reason I mentioned this over explanation is because the following is my opinion in the part of language that is a never ending source of confusion.
I recently watched a YouTube clip by Teal Swan on integration. In this she is of the opinion that balance is not integration, it is the separation of two sides that are opposing & in need of control over another aspect or one over the other. That is an extremely condensed perception of what the clip was saying form my own perspective, it will be different for others & many may not see it this way.
I mention maintaining balance many times through my website however I view balance as the full integration of all aspects of us & that all hold equal power & influence within the hole of what makes us ourselves. This includes viewing an individual with many components including physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological, ethereal etc. The problem with language is it gets in the way of meaning all the time, this is especially the case when perception is involved. Everyone has different perceptions of what language means for them.
There was another clip that Teal Swan published talking about the missing components of the idea of 'Mind, Body, Spirit' which I perceive in a similar way to how she does.
I see this as:
Mind (thoughts) - Body (the psychical self) - Hearth (emotional self. feelings) - Spirit (ethereal self)
The composite of these I define as the consciousness that makes us what and who we are expressed in this physical form, Teal refers to this composite as the Spirit.
The balance all these components hold when integrated is what I see as the glue that keeps them bound to each other and stable. I also see this as being essential to all components, without balance integration fails and the components begin to separate and become dysfunctional with each other.
Although these are never truly separate or forsaken at the others expense, balance therefore integration is essential in my view to maintain fluid & natural harmony & continuity between all. These are different aspects of the one entity & are equal & caring toward each other when balanced & integrated. As a part of the human experience there will of course be times when aspects express over others however that is another blog I shall address at a later time.
I guess the point I am trying to make here is that we should not become caught up with semantics, much of the work of Pagans, Witches and Wiccans is in balance with ourselves & everything around us & integration of all aspects of the self & surrounding environment & universe to reach a fully integrated functioning stable consciousness expressed in a physical form. If that is what your practice is also aiming & working toward don't be disheartened or deflected from your path by language.
I recently watched a YouTube clip by Teal Swan on integration. In this she is of the opinion that balance is not integration, it is the separation of two sides that are opposing & in need of control over another aspect or one over the other. That is an extremely condensed perception of what the clip was saying form my own perspective, it will be different for others & many may not see it this way.
I mention maintaining balance many times through my website however I view balance as the full integration of all aspects of us & that all hold equal power & influence within the hole of what makes us ourselves. This includes viewing an individual with many components including physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological, ethereal etc. The problem with language is it gets in the way of meaning all the time, this is especially the case when perception is involved. Everyone has different perceptions of what language means for them.
There was another clip that Teal Swan published talking about the missing components of the idea of 'Mind, Body, Spirit' which I perceive in a similar way to how she does.
I see this as:
Mind (thoughts) - Body (the psychical self) - Hearth (emotional self. feelings) - Spirit (ethereal self)
The composite of these I define as the consciousness that makes us what and who we are expressed in this physical form, Teal refers to this composite as the Spirit.
The balance all these components hold when integrated is what I see as the glue that keeps them bound to each other and stable. I also see this as being essential to all components, without balance integration fails and the components begin to separate and become dysfunctional with each other.
Although these are never truly separate or forsaken at the others expense, balance therefore integration is essential in my view to maintain fluid & natural harmony & continuity between all. These are different aspects of the one entity & are equal & caring toward each other when balanced & integrated. As a part of the human experience there will of course be times when aspects express over others however that is another blog I shall address at a later time.
I guess the point I am trying to make here is that we should not become caught up with semantics, much of the work of Pagans, Witches and Wiccans is in balance with ourselves & everything around us & integration of all aspects of the self & surrounding environment & universe to reach a fully integrated functioning stable consciousness expressed in a physical form. If that is what your practice is also aiming & working toward don't be disheartened or deflected from your path by language.
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