Buddha compared life to Veena, a musical instrument.
If too tight, the strings will break off by tension.
If too slack, there won't be a music.
This was the middle path of Buddha.
This was the way of balance,
of not getting carried away,
of enjoying without indulgence and spirituality without abstinence.
The most practical way.
Desires are a part of our existence and their suppression gives birth to complexes, while blind indulgence is a root of obsession.
A man can go to Himalayas or Kanyamukari for detachment and meditation. He can denounce his property, his family, his society, but can he ever denounce his mind, the same mind will go with him and not allow him to meditate anywhere in the world.
In fact, the middle path, the way of family life and career, is also the most suitable path for the most of us, not yet in a highly aware state.
The middle path, is very similar to the way of Tao. The way of Spontaniety.
Allowing desire to be born, observing them grow and letting them express themselves in the mindspace and after partial satiation (there is no complete satiation of desires) watching them grow weak and slowly sink to the bottom.
Allowing expression of desires, enjoying their partial satiation, and letting them vanish.
Similar was the ashram system of Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanprastha and then Sanyaas.
Gita also teaches us to do action as befits the role we are in and the situation without indulgence and attachment with results.
On a lighter vein,
A yogi- " My master eats only few fruits once in a week."
Another yogi- " My master sleeps only once in a week."
A taoist- " My master eats when he is hungry and sleeps when he feels sleepy."
Thankfully, with the wisdom of Buddha, Tao and the Gita, we can progress on the way of worldly happiness alongwith the spiritual growth.
Nicely explained
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