Abba Jeremiah’s Article – Principles – «Balance» – 3/9/2016

  It is a divine law established since beginning of creation. It is a secret of success according to human beings. You can consider it a way to happiness and satisfaction that many people crave. An important principle and it is said about it that when it disappears, people suffer physiological, psychological disorder or both, disappointment and downfall that is what we call ‘balance’. If you take a quick look at our universe and environment, you will discover they are perfectly created to work in great balance. No matter how old our universe is, science reveals new discoveries that prove perfection of balance and its wonders in nature and universe. Many times, scientific discoveries prove the bad effects of man’s interference in nature that cause to disturb lose that balance which may result in the world’s destruction.

   On the other hand, man is given life by God who created him of a body, a self and a soul. He takes on journey of life with these three deep faculties seeking to achieve balance between them to be content with his life and walk steadily toward success.
Literal meaning of “Balance”:
   In the Arabic lexicon “Alm’any Algam’a”, meaning of “balance” is as following: the verb “balance” means in Arabic “TAWAZAN” which means “be even or on a par”.”TAWAZAN” also means that two things have the same or equal weight”. “TAWAZUN” also comes as a noun in Arabic same as “Balance” in English and it means “TA’ADOL” or “Evenness” Ex: The game’s result was even. In Arabic “EIKHTILAL Al TAWAZUN” means disturbance of balance “FAQD Al TAWAZUN” means a loss of balance. “Al LA TAWAZUN” means a case of imbalance or losing balance that man may suffer from. In the Arabic lexicon “Maqayess Al –Lugha “, the Arabic word “WAZN” is a word structure that means straight or even. “WAZEN Al-RA’AY” means a moderate opinion.

   There are many kinds of balance there is a balanced food, economic balance, Isostasy or the state of gravitational equilibrium between Earth’s crust and mantle, political balance, balance of payment and power balance. I will tackle “Balance” as a basic and critical principle to lead a successful life. 
   There are many descriptions of it. Some said that it is half way between two opposite choices or extremes. Balance leads to refusing any kind of exaggeration, intolerance or fanaticism in choosing one and only way of judging matters to solve problems flexibly with attentive mind and without exaggeration, but rather achieving harmony between heart and mind. Balance also keeps a person away from inconstancy of principles, opinions or feelings which will be reflected in his way of dealing with others…. To be continued …..

Anba Ermia,
General Bishop & President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center