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A good, balanced life - what do you long for when you hear these words? Many people associate the idea of a balanced life with the expectation of feeling more joy, strength and satisfaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The term balanced <\/em>already suggests that there is too much in one place that is missing in another. What exactly needs to be brought into balance often remains unclear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Philosophers, teachers, spiritual leaders and coaches have been thinking about what makes a good life for centuries. Here you can gain an insight into the various concepts they have developed in order to achieve a balanced life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the oldest approaches to a good life is based on the idea of the four elements. Plato - possibly inspired by Indian medicine - had already written about this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayurvedic teachings are based on three elements: Ata<\/em> (wind, air and ether) - the principle of movement, Pitta<\/em> (fire and water) - the fire or metabolic principle, and Kapha<\/em> (earth and water) - the structural principle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the European Middle Ages, on the other hand, it was believed that the world was made up of four elements, which in turn combined four main properties: Fire (warm and dry), Air (warm and moist), Water (moist and cold) and Earth (cold and dry). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Until the 16th century, medicine taught that the four humours (humours<\/em>) correspond to these elements: yellow bile, black bile, blood and phlegm and wanted a balanced mixture ratio (Latin temperament<\/em>) of the bodily fluids, for example by cupping or by adding dragon's blood (a natural resin). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The idea behind it: If one juice outweighs the others, the person has a distinct character: the rather sluggish phlegmatic - water; the light sanguine - air; the quick-tempered choleric - fire; the melancholic - earth.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spiritual life - work-life balance<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ora et laboura <\/em>- This pair of terms was coined by the monks of the Middle Ages: pray and work. And they developed a sophisticated system for this. For example, prayers at certain times to give space to both the practical and spiritual aspects of their lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For many modern people, the balance between spiritual and worldly tasks is not so central. But as it is one of the oldest approaches to living in balance, it deserves a mention here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some speak of Work-life balance<\/em>. A term that I find very unfortunate because it suggests that work is not life. Otherwise you wouldn't have to balance it with life. But many committed people often experience more life, energy and enthusiasm at work than they do at home alone as a single person or with a partner and family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if that were the case, what exactly is work-life balance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because the concept of work-life balance is so vague, it is not very suitable as a life concept. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Various traditions emphasise the importance of periods of inactivity. The rhythm of activity and rest and\/or reflection and meditation. Often associated with finding peace with breath, body and mind. There are a variety of approaches here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With his research and his book WELL BEING 2.0 <\/em> has made a substantial contribution to research into the good life. Although he does not speak directly about balance, he describes five areas that are important for holistic well-being: <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the other concepts strongly separate the individual areas of life, the SWING<\/em>-concept recognises the basic human needs that are important for a balanced life: <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe four humours or temperaments <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Work - life balance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Activity - rest balance <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Well-being balance <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
SWING<\/em>-balance <\/h2>\n\n\n\n