You Better Stop Making Everything Mean Something Before You Lose Your Mind
The Practice of Equanimity and How to Be With it All While Keeping Your Cool!
This writing was inspired by voice notes exchanged with a lovely friend who relocated back to New York City from Grenada. Our conversation briefly touched upon the political climate in America and she mentioned practicing equanimity to manage the craziness of it all. It was like Spirit was speaking through her, reminding me to return to this practice.
I have also been trying to write this for two weeks…forgive my delay! Instead I have found myself in deep reflection, reconnecting to this sacred and ancient principle.
And then I just saw that Gayle King along with a bunch of other female “celebrities” just returned from space in Jeff Bezoz’s rocket.
Thank gawwd for this practice.
Equanimity has the vibe of, girl stop making everything mean something.
Let me explain it:
There’s a LOT happening in this world right now..am I right? I mean, there is always a lot happening but because technology is in our faces, erry day all day… it’s insanely intense!!! And if you don’t unplug, there is a lot to feel…erry day all day. And let’s not even talk about the events unfolding in our personal lives…it’s giving layered. It’s giving complex.
So here is where Equanimity comes in.
Let me define it:
Equanimity can be defined as incredible mental strength and stability of the mind as it remains neutral with life’s ups and downs. It allows the practitioner to fully engage with whatever arises without being affected by emotional turmoil. Picture equanimity as a mountain; clouds pass above (thoughts and emotions) but you and equanimity aka the mountain, stay firmly grounded and unbothered. Think, ain’t no biggie because this too shall pass.
For me, Equanimity is acceptance without judgement. It is awareness without attachment. It is witnessing the darkness and the light at the same time with compassion. Or, choosing not to make either mean anything, the darkness nor the light. Both exist. Both will always exist. We can be accepting of both at the same time.
It’s not about being complacent or submissive. It is also not about being checked out or numb. It’s simply and deeply an antidote to negative emotions; a remedy for anger and hatred. An invitation to feel the energy of hope and possibility. It calls for us to stop clinging and instead surrender and trust that there is always more to come.
Equanimity creates spaciousness within. It asks us to trust in the Universe, in God, in Higher Power, in ourselves and in each other. It reminds us that change is the only constant. It allows us to accept what is happening versus resisting it. And in the spaciousness of being with it all, we can tap into Spirit. We can decide how we want to navigate the murky waters. We can decide what we want to focus on.
We can ask ourselves: Is what I am currently focusing on serving me? How do I need to be with what I am feeling? How can I be with both the darkness and the light without suffering? How do I need to be with my feelings? Does any of this have to mean anything? Can I breathe and just be?
Whew. Ok, let me stop here because for me, equanimity is a complex topic that I want to go deeper into. There is so much more to say.
But for now, I had to send this to you before another week floated by. So that I can continue sharing. Including a meditation. Soon.
Let me know what you think of this practice. It’s Buddhist. And it holds very similar, interconnected meanings in the different Buddhist traditions, at least from what I have researched. And as a highly sensitive, over thinking, recovering people pleaser, this practice is a lifesaver for me.
More to come. Please share your thoughts on Equanimity with me! We are in this together.
Inhale. Exhale.
xo.