Below are the two readings from the Psanctuary Sunday Service on 09/08/2024. These readings, along with the discussion that followed, sparked deep reflections within me on balance, empathy, and self-awareness. As I listened, an image of walking on a balance beam came to mind—something my daughter used to do with such grace, effortlessly flipping and cartwheeling on a beam just 4 inches wide and 4 feet off the ground. Those are cherished memories!!
During the service, someone introduced the phrase “the mirror of the moment.” It resonated with me deeply, offering a new way to reflect on how each moment mirrors our inner state. The diverse perspectives shared in the service were truly inspiring. If you’d like to explore this for yourself, visit Psanctuary.org for more information.
Now, let’s dive deeper into the concept of the “mirror of the moment” and how it can help us find balance and self-awareness in our daily lives.
Tao Te Ching Ch 13
Flattery and disgrace are both to be feared,
just as overeating and starvation
are both harmful to the body.
Flattery is fattening to the spirit;
disgrace is emaciating.
Over-concern is just as harmful as disregard.
Treat yourself well, but don’t pamper yourself excessively.
If rulers treat the people in this way—
neither too soft nor too hard—
they are worthy to be trusted with authority.
The Impact of Awakening:
Excerpts from the Teachings of Adyashanti
“The Evolutionary Impulse to Be Free“
The impulse to be free is an evolutionary spark within consciousness which originates from beyond the ego. It is an impulse toward the divine, unity, and wholeness. It is an impulse originating in Truth itself. This impulse to evolve is often co-opted by the ego, which then creates the illusion of the spiritual seeker. This impulse, which is inherently innocent, is something that, in and of itself, has nothing to do with any seeking to attain. It is only when the ego co-opts the impulse and then tries to attain something, that the seeker is born. This impulse, this spark of evolution, becomes almost instantly corrupted by a wanting which gives birth to the seeker.
In life, we often find ourselves struggling to maintain balance—whether it’s in our work, relationships, or personal well-being. This struggle can sometimes feel like walking on a balance beam: every step requires careful attention, and losing focus can cause us to stumble. But what if each moment we experience serves as a mirror, reflecting back to us exactly where we stand in that moment?
When we consider the idea of “the mirror of the moment,” we recognize that every experience, every thought, and every feeling is a reflection of our internal state. Like looking into an actual mirror, the present moment offers an honest and unfiltered reflection of ourselves. It shows us when we’re off-balance and when we’re aligned with the deeper truths of our lives.
Just as a mirror reflects our physical appearance, the present moment reflects our inner world. If we are feeling anxious or disconnected, the moment reflects that disconnection. If we are centered and aware, the mirror reflects that peace. The key is not to judge what we see, but to accept the reflection with compassion and awareness.
Awareness, after all, is the beginning of all knowing. It is through awareness that we become attuned to where we stand and what we need. The mirror of the moment doesn’t ask us to control or force balance—it simply invites us to see where we are, adjust with gentle attention, and trust that balance will follow naturally when we are present.
Awakening Through the Mirror of the Moment
When we look into the mirror of the moment, we are given a powerful tool for self-realization and awakening. Each moment reflects not only our current emotional state but also our deeper impulses—our desires, our fears, and, most importantly, our impulse toward freedom. This is the spark that Adyashanti describes in his teachings—the evolutionary impulse to be free that arises from beyond the ego and points us toward unity and wholeness.
However, this impulse often gets hijacked by the ego, which turns it into a pursuit of something external. The ego creates the illusion of the “spiritual seeker,” someone who is always striving to attain something—whether it’s balance, enlightenment, or success. In this way, the pure impulse toward freedom becomes distorted, and we lose sight of the truth that freedom is not something to be sought but something to be recognized within ourselves.
The mirror of the moment offers us the opportunity to see when we are caught in this egoic pursuit. It shows us when we are striving too hard, trying to force balance or awakening, and when we are simply present, allowing the deeper truths to arise naturally. In each moment, we are invited to let go of the ego’s need to control, and instead, surrender to the truth of what is.
In doing so, we discover that balance, awakening, and freedom are not things we attain—they are things that emerge when we are fully aware, fully present, and fully aligned with the deeper impulse that moves through us.
The Present Moment as a Pathway to Balance
In the previous section, we explored how the mirror of the moment reflects our deeper impulses, both egoic and divine. Now, we turn our attention to how this reflection serves as a pathway to balance in our lives. When we lose our balance, whether emotionally, mentally, or spiritually, the mirror shows us exactly where we are out of alignment. But it doesn’t just stop there—it also invites us to adjust gently, to find our way back to center.
Think of the present moment as a continuous reflection of how we are walking the balance beam of life. If we are leaning too far in one direction—overindulging in self-care, for instance, or neglecting important responsibilities—the mirror reflects that imbalance. The key here is not to judge ourselves for being out of balance but to use the reflection as information. It’s not about striving for perfect balance; it’s about staying attuned to where we are and making small adjustments as we go.
The Tao Te Ching teaches that flattery and disgrace, just like overeating and starvation, are both harmful to our well-being. Both are extremes that pull us away from our natural state of balance. By observing the mirror of the moment, we can begin to see these extremes for what they are—distractions from the deeper truth of our being. Balance is not found in forcing ourselves to avoid extremes but in becoming deeply aware of how we are moving through each moment.
When we are present, we begin to move with greater fluidity and grace. The mirror of the moment reflects this balance, not as something we have to achieve, but as something that naturally emerges when we are aligned with the flow of life.
Surrendering to the Mirror: Trusting the Moment
The final key to understanding the mirror of the moment lies in our ability to surrender to what is. The mirror doesn’t ask us to manipulate or control our reflection—it simply shows us the truth of where we are. Often, when faced with challenges or feelings of imbalance, our instinct is to resist, to try to force our way back to balance. But this very resistance is what keeps us stuck.
True balance, awakening, and freedom are found when we let go of the need to control the moment and instead, trust the reflection. We trust that the mirror of the moment is showing us exactly what we need to see, and we surrender to that truth. This doesn’t mean passivity or resignation—it means moving in harmony with what is, rather than fighting against it.
The Taoist teaching reminds us that over-concern is just as harmful as disregard. In both cases, we are out of balance. The solution is not to swing from one extreme to another but to simply be aware of the present moment and adjust accordingly. This requires a certain level of trust—trust that awareness itself will guide us back to balance.
By surrendering to the moment, we allow the natural state of balance to emerge. It’s not something we have to force or strive for. It’s something that arises when we stop resisting and start flowing with the truth reflected in the mirror of the moment.
In every moment, life offers us a reflection of our inner state, inviting us to pause, observe, and gently realign with balance and truth. By embracing awareness without judgment, we allow ourselves to move through life with greater ease and grace. True freedom and peace are not found in striving or control, but in surrendering to the natural flow of the present. As you reflect on the mirror of the moment, trust that each experience is guiding you toward deeper understanding and harmony within yourself.
Questions for Reflection:
How does your inner state shape your experience of the present moment, and what might the “mirror of the moment” be reflecting back to you right now?
In what areas of your life are you walking the “balance beam,” and how might small adjustments in awareness help you regain equilibrium?
How does the ego’s pursuit of control interfere with your natural state of balance and freedom? Can you identify moments when surrendering might lead to greater peace?
What do you notice when you observe extremes—either indulgence or avoidance—in your daily life? How can the practice of becoming aware, without judgment, help you realign with your deeper truths?
How can you use the mirror of the moment to cultivate compassion for yourself and others?