For the morning of the ‘Balance’ daylong retreat, Tahn Pamutto talks on the importance of finding the sweet spot in our meditative and contemplative practices. We’re not just striking a balance between restless, overactive energies and dull, listless mindstates, but between our desire for samādhi and stability vs. our interest and enthusiasm for the dhamma. But once the practice is well balanced the question of whether or not we will develop and grow in wisdom is irrelevant. Balance is the essence of the Middle Path. It is both the path and the fruit.
In the afternoon, Tahn Pamutto continues by reading several sutta’s which show the Buddha’s own advice to growing meditators: take advantage of teachers and mentors who have overcome the challenges you are currently facing. Furthermore, once you have gotten the guidance you need, you can rely on the Sangha to give you feedback on when you are straying to far out of balance and help demonstrate for you what Right actually looks like.