Equanimity. . .
It can be hard to find a sense of peace in our hectic lives. We are constantly faced with challenges and stressful situations that can feel impossible to overcome.
So, how do we chill out amongst all that noise? Well, there are a lot of different things you can do, but in this post, I want to focus on how equanimity can help you live a calmer more balanced life.
Equanimity is a state of mind where you are calm and composed, no matter what is happening around you. It means reacting to situations with balance and composure. It means being able to see the bigger picture, recognizing that things don’t always go as planned and being okay with it.
Think of it like being the eye of a hurricane. Everything around you could be chaotic and swirling, but inside you’re calm.
The word equanimity comes from the Latin word aequanimitas meaning “composure, calmness” and is typically defined as having an even temper or a tranquil state of mind in the face of stress. The idea of equanimity is rooted in Buddhist teachings.
Let’s talk about examples of equanimity. I already mentioned the idea of being the eye of the hurricane, but how does that look in practice?
The most common example is during meditation. Finding a quiet place to meditate isn’t always easy. You’ll often hear dogs barking, people talking, HVAC systems turning on, lawn mowing, and a thousand other things. I meditate before I go to bed while my wife watches TV on her iPad. If you don’t have equanimity, focusing on meditating can be really challenging.
Having equanimity means coming at it with an attitude of the world is going to keep going on around you, but you’re going to be chill. You’re not going to let these distractions affect you. Imagine if you could use equanimity when having a disagreement with another person. You can disagree with someone and be passionate about your side of the argument without letting it control your emotions. With equanimity, you can stay emotionally neutral, which in turn will strengthen your life, perceptions and position.
Try to consciously adopt a more carefree attitude, this will build over time. Apply it to one situation that comes up in your life and see how it goes, then build upon that experience.
Peace and Love, Jim
#equanimity #thedailybuddha
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