Inspiration in Adult Life

 It's interesting to me that many psychologists, including Harris in I'm OK, You're OK, tend to associate the adult with some kind of thinking, judging processor that intermediates between competing forces. Freud's model may also be said to be like that, and perhaps Plato's chariot analogy might have a similar perspective. Everything is about regulation and moderation, as though all the problems that beset people could be resolved simply by drawing a straight line in the middle. In fact, as anyone who has experienced inner conflict can attest, 'standing in the middle' can be an extremely tense or draining experience. It's certainly a worthwhile experience, but it can be hard as well, because there is no real point where we can say 'happy middle', where everything is exactly equal. The only thing that makes them equal is the way I perceive things, with a calm mind and not with one that divides and conquers.
   I tend to think lately that adulthood requires a certain kind of flexibility and creativity when facing these tensions. It isn't just something that comes from standing in the middle of two extremes, but it tends to come from not having a place to rest in those extremes and having to reinvent oneself as a result. Spiritual practice is one example which is not so much a science as it is an art. It's simply not always possible to force oneself into spiritual practices that don't resonate emotionally or from deep down within. If a spirituality doesn't have the soulful or joyful embodiment, it can become something that is a little bit dry or empty. Adult life may very well be a kind of art which involves balancing aspects of self, spirit and soulful connection. It's abut acknowledging that even when spiritual practices are austere and attractive, human life always needs a connection that is rooted in a feeling connection.
   When one feels trapped in a sense of obligation to fulfil, they need to find an inspiration to keep going. This often requires thinking in many different ways-not just logically but also using multiple sources such as imagery. Looking to be inspired is not so easy, but the discussion of it leads me to think that one must keep their minds open to different channels of experience and try different things, rather than thinking there is only one 'logical' path or solution.