Uploaded January 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
This is the final talk in a series given by Robert M. Ellis on Archgtypes and the Middle Way for the Middle Way Network. This one focuses on how the Middle Way itself can be a source of inspiration. He discusses the basis of meaning of the Middle Way in the bodily experiences of balancing and moving forward, the way it combines ideals with recognition of the conditions needed to achieve them, and a range of possible symbols for the Middle Way (including mandalas, the tree of life, Christ and the Buddha.
The talk is followed by questions from the audience, and by a series of prompt questions for a practice focus to aid reflection on the implications of this approach in one's own life.
0:00 Preamble on follow-up events
2:00 Recap from previous talks
4:20 The Middle Way Archetype
6:40 Archetypal functions in general
9:00 The Middle Way function, combining ideals and conditions
12:50 The schemas of balancing and moving forward
18:07 Interdependence of ideals and conditions
20:15 The universality of the Middle Way
22:00 Symbols of the Middle Way
26:00 Mandalas
31:45 The Tree of Life
33:38 Christ
36:20 The Buddha
38:00 The Middle Way in the development of other archetypes
42:03 Metaphysical projections of the Middle Way to avoid
44:45 How the Middle Way resolves conflict
49:30 Middle Way Practice: Review of the 5 Principles
57:30 Comment on critical thinking and appreciation
59:55 Comment on the necessity of both balancing and moving forward
1:02:50 Comment on forest root systems as a metaphor
1:04:45 Question on brain lateralization and the Middle Way
1:09:20 Practice focus
This is the final talk in a series given by Robert M. Ellis on Archgtypes and the Middle Way for the Middle Way Network. This one focuses on how the Middle Way itself can be a source of inspiration. He discusses the basis of meaning of the Middle Way in the bodily experiences of balancing and moving forward, the way it combines ideals with recognition of the conditions needed to achieve them, and a range of possible symbols for the Middle Way (including mandalas, the tree of life, Christ and the Buddha.
The talk is followed by questions from the audience, and by a series of prompt questions for a practice focus to aid reflection on the implications of this approach in one's own life.
0:00 Preamble on follow-up events
2:00 Recap from previous talks
4:20 The Middle Way Archetype
6:40 Archetypal functions in general
9:00 The Middle Way function, combining ideals and conditions
12:50 The schemas of balancing and moving forward
18:07 Interdependence of ideals and conditions
20:15 The universality of the Middle Way
22:00 Symbols of the Middle Way
26:00 Mandalas
31:45 The Tree of Life
33:38 Christ
36:20 The Buddha
38:00 The Middle Way in the development of other archetypes
42:03 Metaphysical projections of the Middle Way to avoid
44:45 How the Middle Way resolves conflict
49:30 Middle Way Practice: Review of the 5 Principles
57:30 Comment on critical thinking and appreciation
59:55 Comment on the necessity of both balancing and moving forward
1:02:50 Comment on forest root systems as a metaphor
1:04:45 Question on brain lateralization and the Middle Way
1:09:20 Practice focus
