It is extremely rare when a politician and spiritual leaders agree on anything. They both deal the people but in different ways. A politician always tries to divide people by focusing on the differences and follows the policy of “divide and rule”. A spiritual leader, however, unites people of all types as he believes that the world is a single family (Sanskrit: Vasudev Kutumbam).
It is therefore, surprising that Chanakya , The Indian Machiavelli (c. 350–283 BCE) endorsed the middle path theory of Buddha and said “Extreme is always Bad” (Sanskrit: Ati Sarvatra Verjate). They both advised people to follow the middle path and shun the extremes.
What really is the middle path?
If following middle path is so universally true, why people find it so difficult to follow?
There can be two methods to define middle path.
The Middle Path of Politician
We can understand middle path similar to the middle of a road. Therefore, if you are travelling on the middle of the road avoiding the extreme ends of the road, you are following a middle path. There is no doubt that moving in the middle is most dangerous and you may be hit by the vehicles coming from any side of the road. The advantage is that you are never identified with any side, hence you can always change your direction without breaking any rules as such middle path is the extreme of both right and the left sides.
It practical terms, it means that you must never commit in your life by taking side and both sides must have the impression that you are on their side. This is the middle path of a politician, “Never Commit Anything” and change sides at the appropriate opportunity.
The Middle Path of Spiritual Leader
Certainly the middle path of politician is suited only for the treacherous persons and not for the person who wishes to have peace in his life. The middle path of Buddha can not to be following any principle on the half way thus making an alliance with both the extremes. There can be another method of defining the middle path which is suitable for a most people.
Most of us have learned to see truth as black and white. Everything in this world has to be divided into “rights” and “wrongs” or “good” and “evil”. This is the most dangerous thing that can happen to any human being. It is because, one you have been convinced about good and evil, there is no way; you can ever follow an evil path. This makes you think that anyone who is not following your path is evil and hence your enemy.
The distinction of good and evil has been the root cause of all fights in this world and the most important reason for human sufferings. All wars had been fought between brothers only because both side believed that they were on the right side while the other was on the wrong side.
The problem can be eliminated only when we follow the middle path i.e. develops a vision to see the world from the holistic perspective. Thereafter, the distinction of good and evil disappears and we find that both are created by God and His creation can never be evil.
The follower of spiritual middle path follows both paths. He does not shun body for the soul or soul for the body. He knows that body and soul are not opposite but complementary to each other and it is impossible to please one without pleasing other. He does not follow the life of celibate as he knows that sex is not evil but essential for the survival of humanity. They believe in left as well as in right. They know that capitalism as much important as socialism. They know that karma is as much right as prayer.
Following the Middle Path
It is not easy to follow the middle path. If you follow the middle path of a politician you lose trust of people. However, if you try to follow the spiritual middle path, you have to learn to balance body and spirit, good and evil. Most people are extremely uncomfortable with having a dual reputation and like to take the side of good which shall automatically be viewed as evil by their adversaries. Only when we understand the Truth is its holistic perspective, we can follow the middle path which is not only politically correct but also spiritually correct.
