Not Too Tight; Not Too Loose

The monk Sona came to the Buddha with a question on why he was not having success in his practice.

The Buddha answered, “Tell me, Sona, in earlier days were you not skilled in playing music on a lute?”

“Yes, Lord.”

“And, tell me, Sona, when the strings of that lute were too taut, was then your lute tuneful and easily playable?”

“Certainly not, O Lord.”

“And when the strings of your lute were too loose, was then your lute tuneful and easily playable?”

“Certainly not, O Lord.”

“But when Sona, the strings of your lute were neither too taut nor too loose, but adjusted to an even pitch, did your lute then have a wonderful sound and was it easily playable?”

“Certainly, O Lord.”

“Similarly, Sona, if energy is applied too strongly, it will lead to restlessness, and if energy is too lax, it will lead to lassitude. Therefore, Sona, keep your energy in balance and balance the Spiritual Faculties and in this way focus your intention.

---Anguttara Nikaya---