"And the earth We have spread out (like a carpet); set thereon mountains firm and immovable; and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance. " (Qur'an 15:19)
Homeostasis: the property of an open or closed system, especially a living organism, that regulates its internal environment so as to maintain a stable, constant condition. Multiple dynamic equilibrium adjustments and regulation mechanisms make homeostasis possible.
Recent conversations with friends and family have left me contemplating the nature and importance of Balance. The topic came up at a recent AIF Meeting: the importance of this concept and its application to our daily lives. What does it mean to be "Balanced"? It is seen in the natural world, the cycles of life and death, creation and destruction - the Balance between the two and the intricate way biospheres and habitats function so harmoniously. We have seen the damage caused by foreign species introduced to new environments that multiply too quickly, suffocating the other life forms and causing changes in the habitat itself. The miraculous balance of chemical and mechanical function in the human body has always fascinated me.
Balance is not limited to the realm of natural order- its application to our lives and our very selves is deeper than that. We know the result of partaking of anything to excess- food, drink, sex, wealth - they all have the ability to corrupt our thinking and change the way we act in the world. Not only do our beliefs and philosophies influence our actions, but our behaviors likewise influence our characters, personalities and how we think. We make choices about what we believe and what actions we take every moment of every day. We should tred lightly, gently on the earth, always questioning our reasoning and intent.
Yet, each of us, as individuals, hold our own ideas about the boundaries of extremisms. How do we decide what lines to draw? Can we judge others against the lines we have drawn for ourselves? In thinking this through I am working from the assumption that nothing existing on the earth is, by nature 'wrong.' Nothing goes against the Nature of God as it is all His creation. I was thinking about one of the issues that inspired Kelly and I to create the AIF - Music. In our estimation, music is a wonderful thing- an expression of human emotion and self. Yet, there do exist people who find it objectionable. Not only certain groups of Muslims, but also some of the Christian faith, and others. While I disagree with them, I cannot tell them that they are 'wrong' for feeling and thinking as they do. It is perfectly acceptable to me if they choose not to listen to music- that is the choice they have made based on the information they have and the framework they live their lives by. We simply have different understandings.
Another example of finding balance would be choices about dress. I choose to wear the hijab because I find it helps me to achieve balance in many areas of my life, habits, thoughts, and actions. Yet, others feel it is an extreme. We disagree but that does not make me, nor them 'wrong' for feeling or dressing as we do. We have come to different conclusions and have chosen, for ourselves, different practices.
The lines we draw as boundaries for ourselves in order to achieve balance in our lives regarding action, dress, conduct, spirituality, religious practice, belief, and a great many other areas, are simply that - individual boundaries. The trouble begins when we start to impose our beliefs, practices, dress codes, and actions on others. We are only responsible for ourselves and our personal choices. On the Day of Judgement, "A day on which no soul hath power at all for any other soul. The absolute command on that day is God's" (82:19) we will only be judged for our own actions and have no part in the affairs of one another.
What we do need to practice is mutual respect. This, in itself is a balance- respecting the choices of others, being able to question our own choices, and continuing to make our individual decisions without being swayed simply because we have encountered a new perspective. Throughout our journeys we will develop and grow in our faiths, and our perspectives will change as well. I make different choices than I made 5 years ago but I would not tell my younger self that I was 'wrong' rather, that because of the choices I made and the experience of them, I have come to different conclusions about what boundaries work better for me, at this time in my life, in my search for Balance.
If I visit the home of a friend who does not listen to music I will respect her choices so long as she respects mine. I will not be offended if she does not attend a Music Festival or chooses to step out of the room during the Music portion of our meetings. We can have a friendship and work with and in spite of our differences so long as we don't try to impose our ideas on one another. We will not agree with everyone around us but that does not mean that we cannot form meaningful, friendly, and cooperative relationships with each other.
Our human community, like the human body must make "Multiple dynamic equilibrium adjustments and regulation mechanisms" to "maintain a stable, constant condition" (Peace) possible.
May we always work toward Peace and Balance,
Melissa
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
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