harmony – The Tao of Holy Orthodoxy

The process of making a mosaic icon of Christ requires the iconographer to carefully place small pieces of colored glass or stone, one by one, into a particular pattern. When the individual pieces are well-ordered, the mosaic presents a clear image of Christ. If the mosaic tiles are not well-placed, then the image of Christ is strangely distorted or even unrecognisable.

The Orthodox Way is like a mosaic icon. People around us who identify with non-Orthodox religions and ideologies share some of the individual aspects of the Orthodox Way. They have some of the same or similar “pieces” that we do. For example, you can find the Golden Rule, indicating that we should treat others as we would want to be treated, as a basic principle in multiple religions and philosophies. Outside of the Church, many people believe in God, or gods, or at least have a sense of spirituality. Throughout the world, people consult authoritative writings, spend time in meditation or prayer, follow rituals, help the poor, or practice asceticism. Yet, all the other paths lack very important pieces and the individual similarities held in common with the Orthodox Faith are incapable of presenting a whole picture that reflects complete Truth. Non-Orthodox Christian sects in schism from the Holy Orthodox Church have much in common with the Orthodox, but even seemingly small differences distort the Truth as a whole. When an individual embraces (in heart, mind, and action) the Truth that is Holy Orthodoxy, all the various aspects of Holy Orthodoxy together point him or her to the God-Man Jesus Christ and the Way of salvation.

We are individually like mosaics, too. If you firmly hold to the Truth in your mind and heart and live it in your daily life, the various aspects of your life shall be well-ordered. Your inner life and your daily lifestyle will reflect the image of Christ. Since Christ, the God-Man, shows us what a perfect human person looks like, the more we are like Christ, the more authentically human we shall be. The more your mosaic “pieces” fit together harmoniously, the more you will share in His perfection and serve as a living icon of Christ to others. On the other hand, if your inner life and daily lifestyle are confused, then you will present to others a distorted or even unrecognisable image of Christ.

Jesus Christ has given us His Church to teach us and form us so that the good and useful things in our lives may be properly arranged, what doesn’t fit can be discarded, and what we lack can be added.

Keep the Truth in your heart and mind whole and unaltered. Do not let sin or heresy distort your soul. If you have failed to be a faithful representation of Christ, then repent with humility and follow the Way. God repairs poor icons. He heals the soul and holds all the aspects of our lives together in harmonious unity.

Read: 2 Corinthians 3.12-18

Baoding Balls

Rotating Baoding balls (also called Iron Balls or Chinese Medicine Balls) in the hand promotes good health, according to tenets of traditional Chinese medicine. Whether or not the claim is accurate, these therapeutic balls from Hebei, China can serve to remind us of the necessity of harmony.

Two Baoding balls in good condition rotate smoothly around each other in the hand as chimes inside the hollow spheres produce a pleasant, relaxing tone. A skilled practitioner can rotate them without the two touching each other. The two spheres work together for the intended health of the body. If someone cut a chunk out of a ball, destroying the completeness of the sphere, the two would not rotate smoothly together. They would likely not work very well at all.

When the various aspects of the spiritual life are kept whole and in balance, they promote the health of your soul. So, nurture harmony within your soul. Bring all your thoughts, opinions, and actions into harmony with the Spirit-guided mind, vision, and life of the Church. Be consistent. Align both your rational mind and your heart with the Way of Christ. If you do this, you will be able to see clearly, think soberly with wisdom, and live well in truth and love.

Ensure that your external action, what you do every day, remains in harmony with who you are within. Contradiction between your being and your doing promotes dysfunction and chaos. Instead, promote wholeness and wellness through harmony.

Your body must be brought into harmony with your soul. Always maintain both your soul and your body in purity. You cannot live a truly spiritual life if you misuse your body. If you are unmarried, guard the virginity of both your soul and body. If you are a man married to a woman or a woman married to a man, maintain purity in your own soul while extending self-denying love and absolute fidelity (loyalty and faithfulness) to your only beloved. Guard your marriage as you guard your soul.

We are called to speak the truth in love and to love others according to the truth. No opposition exists between truth and love. You may be accused of being unloving by someone who does not understanding the fullness of Truth. You may be accused of being narrow-minded and ignorant by someone who misunderstands the fullness of Love. Truth and love are sisters who should always be kept together.

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You do not need to look to man-made craftsmanship or symbols to see harmony. The Creator has filled the creation with harmonious balance and symmetry. A bird cannot fly with one wing. Neither can you live well and ascend toward your potential by practicing some aspects of the Way while ignoring other complimentary elements.

Generally, the health of your human body depends on the various systems working properly and cooperating together. A chemical or hormonal imbalance dramatically affects health. The health of your soul also depends on maintaining balance. If you live the whole Way, you will find balance.

You are still imperfect and in the process of healing. When you find disharmony in your life – in your heart, your thoughts, or your actions – immediately repent. Change your mind and your heart. Correct your behavior. Turn away from whatever is causing the dysfunction and, with humility and obedience, bring yourself into harmony with Christ and His pure teaching. Set things right. Bring more and more of yourself into alignment with the Way of Life.

You must constantly repent in order to make progress. Whatever you do to promote harmony through repentance will prepare your soul for God’s healing, transforming Grace to work within you.

Read: Ephesians 4.11-16; Colossians 3.1-17; 1 Corinthians 6.12-20; 13.1-13; 1 John 3

Tag: harmony

85. Mosaic Icon: Order Your Life Well

38. Maintain Harmony and Balance