The Harmony of the Spheres

Ch'i 

 

is the Chinese word used to describe "the natural energy of the Universe." This energy, though called "natural," is spiritual or supernatural, and is part of a metaphysical, not an empirical, belief system. Now days it is referred to as subtle energy. Chi is thought to permeate all things, including the human body. One of the key concepts related to chi is the concept of harmony. Trouble, whether in the universe or in the body, is a function of disharmony, of things being out of balance and in need of restoration to equilibrium. In Salman Rushdies story “The Harmony of the spheres” in his novel East, West, Eliot crane is a man is a genius who eventually loses the battle for balance and harmony with his deteriorating mental state, or “Sphere”. Telling the story of Eliot’s descent is his college friends Khan.

A persons harmony isn’t effected by any one thing. There are numerous things in our lives that can cause an imbalance such as our emotions, relationships, mental and physical state. However, it is betrayal and heartbreak that lead to the imbalance of the “Spheres” in Rushdies story. Eliot began doing research on the occult for his Novel titled “The Harmony of the Spheres.” His research turned to obsession. Eliot let his mind become completely consumed with his research and this is what eventually led to the destruction of the harmony of his mind.

“He had met a demon once and ever since that day he and Lucy had been on the run.”(126) While telling a story Eliot mentioned that he had once met a demon. I feel the Rushdie placed this in the story not as a demon in the sense to be feared but the demons that we carry with us, the struggles that we face everyday. Eliot, in his disturbed mental state believes that there is a demon living in his home. In order to escape this demon him and lucy pick up and leave only to realize that this demon is following him. This is perfect when it come to the realization of fighting our own demons. If not confronted they will keep haunting you until something is done about it. However, in Eliot’s state he doesn’t realize that he is heading towards a path of mental destruction and disharmony.

Is a surprising twist towards the end of the story you find out what that demon was. As stated earlier you cannot run from your demons because they will only catch up with you. The twist of the sphere is when Khan finds out that Eliot had been having a long time affair with his wife while he had been alive. “So, here it came: the collapse of harmony, the demolition of the spheres of my heart.”(146) What I find interesting is that we may see different sides of the sphere but in some way everything is connected and has an effect on something or someone else’s harmony.

Everyday is a struggle and you can either face the hardships or run form them. Running will eventually only make things worse and will lead to an imbalance in your life. Whether the problems are big or small they can cause an imbalance; restore the natural energy by confronting not running.