Ready Steady Equanimity
We owe ourselves to cultivate composure in calm or muddy waters
Equanimity, an even harmonious-sounding word, has been echoing through my mind of late triggered by the very emotionally charged times we live in.
The volatile, noisy and hyper-connected life we live in today, prods us to find an equanimous state of calm, stability and acceptance, in both good and challenging times. The present workplace, also where we enjoy what we do, conditions us to be in constant pursuit of excellence to set ourselves apart and be seen as successful. Over time, we often become oblivious to mental fatigue that stealthily sets in — managing demands, deadlines, perceptions, and judgments in our professional and personal life.
Though equanimity is explained and practiced heavily in Buddhism, I am drawn to its more ancient and philosophical Latin equivalent, aequanimitas implying the mind and soul in balance, both used synonymously. While the modern English usage of equanimity has adopted a more observable behavioral physical realm, its Latin counterpart believes in the deeper spiritual realm, that I am more inclined towards.
We must practice creating creating a grounded space between us and the range of strong thoughts, and emotions we encounter in various tense circumstances, events, and people. This brief distance allows us to consciously experience and controls our intense feelings and bodily experience. We can then choose how to respond without being caught up in unhealthy, toxic emotional reactivity. Self-compassion replaces extreme self-blame, unreasonable thoughts and judgments.
Equanimity is not synonymous with mindfulness but more an eventual outcome of repeated mindful practices. Introspections and contemplative practices are most effective in cultivating equanimity; embracing silence as a slow and evolving habit. Depending on what one resonates with, multiple forms of art, yoga, prayer, meditation, nature-centered practices provide inner strength and emotional balance. The way we approach and interact with people becomes more tolerant, letting go of pent-up frustrations/resentments thereby improving our relationships.
The adage where your attention goes there your energy flows is more relevant today. Training ourselves to briefly pause and consciously choose the kind of triggers and distractions we focus on; ceasing to spend our energy on unessential unpurposeful activities. This goes a long way in staying present and clear and making better decisions when in a crunch.
Cultivating this mind space requires us to intentionally and consistently engage in activities and practices that bring us to that composed state. This eventually blunts our need to be right all the time or to have to change others. The understanding that we all are at different stages of work in progress, and react from our own set of life experiences, helps with not taking things personally.
This will hold us in good stead always, where ever we find ourselves.
