I apologized because that simple fact that I am talking about a film that describes a vague concept really changes my opening post. Really - this is about a film and the message. I mentioned my catholic history in passing as matter of fact, and that was the first thing discussed.
The fact is - the balance I speak of could transcend religion and god - or be within God, if you prefer - but it does not confirm or deny any of that. Can you not be a devout Roman Catholic and loose a sense of balance in your life? Can you over-do some good intention and miss out on something else. For such a person, Jesus and prayer might help them get through a rough spot. But at the heart of things, there is an imbalance - be it some "eastern" mumbo-jumbo or a slight disconnect with your faith and your God.
Now, this is where things might get messy if we bring in religion: The balance I speak of is not only within me (or anyone) as an individual, but within the whole of "us" that share this planet. My beliefs of me as an individual are one thing - regardless if I can attach some nice, simple label. When I speak of "us", though, I bump into group labels - religions and every other way we seem to divide ourselves from other's.
The recent end of the world really got me thinking. The current gun debate - put guns in the hands of the good guys, self-defense. Damn right you should be able to defend your family and your household. But it is all so scary and sad. People prepare for the end of the world, and I'm not just talking about some crazy zombie-believers or a Heaven's Gate cult. Are they wrong? I dunno. And, just like this is not about Catholicism, it is not about the "prepers".
We still do wondrous things. And we still do horrible things. When I see the wondrous things, I have a hard time believing in a god that would want to put an end to our potential based on some schedule handed down long ago. And if I don't believe in god, then perhaps all I have is hope from the wondrous things I see us do. If anyone wants to argue that the end is indeed near because of a book or whatever, I'll just ignore. And again, this is not about God.
Let's assume for a moment that the end is not fated or at the very least it is still quite a few generations off. In the meantime, we - all of us no matter how we group ourselves, share this planet. Do I just sound like a hippy or eco-nut? Again - labels, and probably the wrong ones. It isn't easy. Koyaanisqatsi suggests that we live in technology - and this film is from 1982, long before we moved into our iPhones and whatnot. Is this good or bad? The film leaves it to you do draw your own conclusions.
Now, for one thing, I think if we have any hope or desires for "our" future on this planet, then it obviously must involve our children. Again, I don't have answers. But lately, I've been big on the film in my signature: Breaking The Taboo. I'm thinking one way to shift the balance back in the right direction is to immediately end the war on drugs and focus on education and our children instead. Alas - that is too controversial an idea for most people, even on these forums. (Not to mention those here that make money because of the illegalities.)
I don't think I'm read to take on that battle and campaign to end the War on Drugs outside of RIU. Maybe in 2013, I'll figure out what more I can do to at least get MJ legalized. But now I'm getting off topic - I just plan, in 2013, to continue finding my own balance, and try to keep not giving up on us.