The Art of Happiness

has got to be a balance....”After a moment’s reflection, he added, “So, inother words, the practice of Dbarma, realspiritual practice, is in some sense like a voltagestabilizer. The function of the stabilizer is toprevent irregular power surges and instead giveyou a stable and constant source of power.”“You stress the importance of avoidingextremes,” I inserted, “but isn’t going to extremeswhat provides the excitement and zest in life? Byavoiding all extremes in life, always choosing the‘middle way,’ doesn’t that just lead to a bland,colorless existence?”Shakinghis head no, he answered, “I thinkyou need to understand the source or basis ofextreme behavior. Take for example the pursuitof material goods—shelter, furniture, clothing,and so on. On one hand, poverty can be seen as