Time to act and time to be…

This is an excerpt from my Coaching Power Tool Flow vs. Effort published at International Coach Academy. The original article can be found here.

Yin and Yang, seamlessly intertwined and completing each other, these two eternities are in perpetual conflict. The feminine Yin, a reflection of Being, Stillness, Yielding, Absorbing, Following, Defending, and Intuition, anchors and balances out the masculine Yang with its Doing, Action, Initiating, Directing, Expanding, Advancing. This antagonism is mirrored in the clash of those who advocate for Action, aka Doing, as a cure for many mind diseases, and those, especially eastern philosophers and spiritual thought leaders, who believe that all answers are rooted in Stillness, or Being. Yet, the Law of Polarity is universal: all opposites, in reality, are two extremes of the same. Hence, without each other Yin and Yang will cease to exist.

To live in harmony, both mind and body need action as much as they gasp for quietness. Yet, the delicate balance is easy to break. Should an energy excess build-up on any end, either stagnation or exhaustion disrupts the integrity.

Then, the question becomes: How to find an equilibrium between Stillness and Action so we live in harmony? The answer resides in the Flow.

When mind and body operate in the flow, we reach the desired outcome effortlessly and joyfully. Conversely, when either one is frazzled or restless, an identical result would eat up energy and resources, as we are forced to push, pull, try to concentrate or exert extra effort in one way or another. It might be tempting to think that all significant historical accomplishments or fundamental discoveries resulted from great efforts; yet, a closer look would reveal that every triumph consisted of unique moments, each having been lived in the flow of passion, creativity, and joy.

To the equal extent, there is certainly great merit in a last-ditch effort, so we could make it to the top of the mountain or, in a more trivial scenario, finish a project by a deadline. On the other hand, we simply won’t last long if we persistently function at the edge of our capacity on a daily basis. Unfortunately, doomed for fatigue and burn-out, stress and tension, that’s what many human beings (un)intentionally do.

Excessive effort interrupts the natural life course. Presence and mindful intent help transcend body and mind so that we can find our way home (as kids we used to know it!) back to the flow state. 

Picture credits: pixaby.com