Definitions: (1) moving steadily in an agreeably effortless or rhythmic way; (2) having a smooth, satisfying, harmonious continuity
Quote: The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green. — Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish essayist
Questions: What happens when the point between giving and receiving gets choked off? The internal energy doesn’t flow. There are always physical ramifications (positive or negative) concerning the balance between giving and receiving. Both external and internal causes can effect physical illnesses. If you are not doing what you know you need to be doing, or are doing what you know you should not be doing, internal energy turns in on itself and gets wacky. It can turn into cancers, nervous disorders, headaches, ulcers, or suppression of the immune system. (Yes, the psychopath is the exception.)
The difficulty comes in measuring that balance. You have to make subjective judgments. Are you taking care of the duties of daily living with honest effort? Are you doing interesting things with interesting people? Are you enjoying what you are doing? Are you proceeding smoothly from one thing to the next? Are you facing your difficulties instead of creating them? And if you have created a problem, are you doing your best to return things to balance?
Symbol: river water
Mythological Figure: Alpheus, a Greek river god