Have you ever been caught “inside” your thoughts, where one thought leads into a spiral of more uneasy thoughts and overwhelming states of anxiety?
Yes? Well, me too. This is extremely common because we are creatures of reactivity. Many of us live in a constant state of reactivity and uneasiness trying to control things that are… well, just not controllable. Trust me, you’re not alone in this experience.
It’s been said that our reaction to a situation has the power to change the situation itself — and that my readers is the truth.
This power lies with a practice called equanimity. Equanimity is the ability to hold all elements of your experience with wholeness, coherence, and harmony. It is a practice of finding freedom — no matter what life brings you.
Here are a few examples of how you can practice equanimity when an uneasy thought or situation presents itself:
When you feel a general sense of uneasiness about yourself and your life, repeat:
May I accept things just as they are.
May I accept myself just as I am.
When someone you care about is suffering and there’s nothing you can do to change their circumstances, repeat:
I care.
I care about your pain.
Through this caring may your pain be eased.
When you have a few moments to meditate, take a comfortable seat, close your eyes, and repeat:
Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I calm my mind.
May I be balanced.
May I be at peace.
For more guidance on the practice of equanimity you can read my full blog article, How to Find Peace and Calm in a Chaotic World.
