In consciousness all things which exist do so in an inevitable juxta-position with their opposites. It is consciousness itself which separates - with consciousness there is no separation. Separation is tension. In a situation of equal tension the opposites may exist in a condition of equilibrium. In every case in which there are opposites there must be a central position. It seems to me that this central position is maintained only with effort and control. The central position implies a knowledge of the extremes. The central position implies non-differentiation The central position is held only with effort The middle way is the only way in which total progress or movement is possible. Other movement - of one extreme or the other - of the opposites - is only partial. It always implies increasing separation and the one can only be achieved at the cost of the other. Also - accepting the 'every action provokes an equal and opposite reaction' theory - extreme movements to 'right' or 'left' tend ultimately (because of inevitable reaction) to be lateral or horizontal rather than forward or progressive as the counter-tension between them inhibits any true forward movement. True freedom and 'potential for progress' must lie along the middle way ... no matter how difficult it is to maintain one's equilibrium, attacked and seduced by opposing extremes.