Commentary by Siddha Yoga Meditation Teacher Oliver Hill
On the Siddha Yoga path, the divine virtue of balance is associated with the inner state of equipoise or evenness of mind. In Sanskrit, the word balance corresponds to samatva or samatā—a “balanced state of mind.” Balance represents both the inner state that is the fruit of sadhana, and the effort we can practice to achieve that inner state.
In the great scripture of India, Shri Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says to his disciple Arjuna:
yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjaya । siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṁ yoga ucyate ॥
Fixed in yoga, perform actions, having abandoned attachment, Arjuna, and having become indifferent to success or failure. It is said that evenness of mind is yoga.1
Here, Lord Krishna is teaching that evenness of mind—which we could also call balance—is the essence of yoga. And he gives a formula for achieving this state: perform actions while maintaining the awareness of our identity with the Self and surrendering the fruits of those actions. That is, in every situation we do what needs to be done—we do our duty in a way that will benefit all—without any selfish interest. We can practice letting go of desires as a means to achieve a balanced mind. This practice could include seeing the results of our actions as offerings to God, or striving to serve the needs of each moment, rather than our own desires.
Gurumayi describes the stance of a true seeker in her book The Yoga of Discipline. Gurumayi’s words give us practical guidance about how we can be “fixed in yoga.”
A true seeker sees the world with the vision of equality, with equality-consciousness. A true seeker sees the One everywhere; he sees the world through God’s eyes. A true seeker maintains samatā, the balanced state of mind in which his focus is on the highest. This is how someone who is a true seeker views the world. And the only way to attain this equality-consciousness is by focusing your mind on the Truth, on God, over and over again.2
Gurumayi tells us that we can cultivate the state of balance by focusing our minds on the Truth—by looking beyond the ever-changing circumstances of our lives and anchoring our mind on the experience of the unchanging Self; by recognizing the divine Consciousness that underlies every experience; by bringing our awareness back to this Truth over and over again.
When we make the efforts to achieve samatā, the balanced state of mind, we also develop the skills to manage the ups and downs of everyday life. Though at times we might feel we are teetering on the tightrope of life, because of our continued efforts to create stability within ourselves, we have the power to rise again and again—to stay balanced.
1Bhagavad Gita, 2.48; Swami Kripananda, Jnaneshwar’s Gita: A Rendering of the Jnaneshwari (Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 1999), p. 27. 2Swami Chidvilasananda, The Yoga of Discipline (S. Fallsburg, NY: SYDA Foundation, 1996), p. 191.
As I engage with the virtue of balance, I find that reading the commentary and the experience shares helps me reestablish balance within myself.
It seems easy for me to go out of balance and lose my “inner state of equipoise or evenness of mind,” in the words of the commentary. And this is my sadhana: to practice returning to balance—to this moment in divine time, “in the presence of time,” inspired by Gurumayi’s Message for 2025—and once again, find balance.
I realize that as easy as it may be for me to go out of balance, it is just as easy for me to return to balance; my breath, the mantra, and the Guru’s grace are always available to support me in that.
Pennsylvania, United States
By focusing on today’s virtue, I was able to balance my state of mind in a challenging situation. Through making affirmations and witnessing my thoughts, I experienced a balanced state in an easeful way.
Vadodara, India
I started my day by reading the commentary on the virtue of balance. This created a good foundation for me to practice and live with the awareness of the virtue throughout the day.
Lot of thoughts were coming. Some of them were troubling me, but I immediately brought my awareness to my breathing and added the mantra Hamsa. This worked like magic and helped me to experience the equipoise of balance. I’m looking forward to my practice of all the virtues in the month of June.
New Delhi, India
As I sat at work today enjoying a school assembly, I repeated this affirmation from the commentary over and over: “I view the world with a balanced state of mind.” I became utterly serene and content. The vibrations of each word, particularly balance, gave me an inner freedom while at the same time I could totally do my job and actually respond in ways that were more beneficial than my conditioned mind could ever have expected.
Washington, United States
When I reread the commentary on balance, several weeks after having first read it, I was struck by how perfect the message was for me.
It has reinforced my experience and recognition that balance has more to do with the flexibility of continually returning to an inner state of evenness and equality consciousness than with attempting to remain in a superficial stance that might appear to resemble “balance.”
To be able to call on Gurumayi’s grace whenever I need direction or help in finding my way—in the material world or in the spiritual realm—is an amazing boon. This blessing, which helps me to restore balance in all the virtues, is unparalleled. Yet sometimes, I can forget this gift of grace. I will work to recall the Guru’s presence, the presence of God, until it becomes second nature.
New York, United States
While reading the commentary on balance, I had a clear image of being on my paddle board with the wind gusting and changing, and the board rocking, knocking me off center. I could feel my physical reaction—to ground my feet onto the board and naturally adjust my body so I remained balanced with the changing winds above and the waves on the water below.
In the same way that I can readjust my body on the paddle board, the tools the Guru has given me allow me to continually adjust my inner balance “by looking beyond the ever-changing circumstances of our lives” to the Truth, to the Self.
Maine, United States
When I read the commentary on balance, my aching heart felt caressed by a soothing balm.
In the past month everything went topsy-turvy in my professional life. I was moved away from many crucial responsibilities I had been fulfilling, as if my wings were being clipped one by one. It was difficult to deal with this sudden change.
But then Guru’s grace embraced me in the form of wisdom. My initial resistance to the changes dissolved, and I took them as an invitation from the Guru to focus more on my sadhana. I began practicing with intention exactly what the commentary recommends: “anchoring our mind on the experience of the unchanging Self.” I resolved to do what was needed in each moment rather than roam in my imaginary fears.
The invisible hands of Gurumayi guided me throughout this change, and this commentary—and my experience—have only strengthened my conviction that the Guru is present within me in the form of wisdom to guide my every step.
Hosur, India
A few days ago I felt the inner promptings to create a workshop that would help people transform emotions into inner strength. Self-doubt soon started creeping in—“Will people be interested? Will they come? Will they be able to do it?”—until I was almost ready to walk away from this project.
Lord Krishna’s words to Arjuna, as reported in this commentary, were exactly what I needed to hear: “perform actions” (do it!); “abandon attachment” (don’t worry about whether people will come, just do it wholeheartedly to the best of your ability); and “become indifferent to success or failure” (what matters most is doing my best to offer the workshop and teach others the skills, regardless of the outcome).
Brockville, Canada
As I read the commentary on the virtue of balance, I experienced a subtle but powerful shift in my state of mind. For me, it is the perfect teaching at the perfect time! I noticed that after reflecting on this virtue, I moved away from an unsettled inner state and became aligned with inner tranquility.
The power of this virtue—and the contemplation of all the virtues— is a blessing. My gratitude is beyond words.
Massachusetts, United States
During some daunting times, I have been living through many ups and downs, and the intensity of these sensations has made me feel somewhat disoriented and uncomfortable. Now, reading here that a true seeker is one who makes an effort to achieve samata, a balanced state of mind, gives me great consolation. I feel I have been given a guideline to follow that is leading me to tranquility of the heart and a powerful strength.
I feel inspired by this gift and so grateful for my transformed state of mind.
Naples, Italy
As I read this commentary, I was so grateful for the Siddha Yoga teachings and practices that help me develop balance, or evenness of mind. Before practicing Siddha Yoga sadhana, I never would have thought it possible to feel this kind of equanimity. Now, as a Siddha Yoga student, when challenging situations arise, I practice “recognizing the divine consciousness that underlies every experience.” That awareness helps me to respect others who may hold different viewpoints. I can offer my best effort to achieve an outcome, and practice letting go of attachment to that outcome. So much peace of mind comes from this practice.
