On balance – Part 1.

I have been offline for most of the past month.  Firstly, it was due to a fault on my ADSL.  Latterly, because I have been staying away from home for a few days.
It is a strange thing to be semi-connected in times like these.  Of course, I had my iPhone, so Whatsapp, Facebook, email and the like were a-ok.  But, due to the limitations of screen size, I read more than I wrote.
This can be compared to the twin, yet opposing, forces of prâna and apâna.  Prâna in the intake and upper energy, apâna is the emission and lower energy.  They are inseparable, and each influences the other.  In prânayama, we can modify the inhale by modifying the exhale, and vice versa.
One relationship of IN-OUT that I like to contemplate is that of material goods.  We are spirits in a material world and most of us have far more things that we need.  But, it is when we get to a point of having far more things than we really want that it can get sticky.  You see, getting rid of stuff is hard.  Apart from the sentimental value that we may place upon an item, there is also pure attachment, as well as ecological considerations.  I was a pack-rat in an earlier life due to all three things.  I know how hard it is to debride oneself of possessions.  But it is absolutely necessary.
Think about this:  When you set out to buy something, you will often invest a lot of time in choosing, comparing characteristics, price-checking and what-have-you.  Whether buying online or on the High Street, you will pay for transport of some sort.  It is a process that takes time and energy.  Yet, conversely, we will often throw things away rashly or badly.  If this is not clear to you, I invite you to take a look at the trash by the kerb of an evening.  All sorts of stuff, from furniture to computer parts to recyclables will be there.  We hate being told to separate our trash, or that we will be charged for its collection and disposal.  Maybe, if you are reading from somewhere more evolved, like Sweden, this won’t ring true.  But here in Spain, it certainly is.  The funny thing is, the expats also get used to the laissez-faire attitude to waste disposal and after a few months to years living here are just as likely to leave their dog’s doo-doo on the street as anyone else.  Mediocrity breeds mediocrity.
So, I need to close this soon.  To sum up:  prana and apana need to be in balance in order for harmony to exist.  In must equal out.  If it doesn’t, something is wrong.  Figure out what it is and fix it.  Preferably with yoga!
The Guru is in you.  Practice and all is coming.  Love in all around.  JSK.