I'm intrigued with equanimity. I want to exude equanimity. For those unfamiliar with what it means, here is the definition:
That, my friends, is the power of equanimity. The dog was taken aback by the cat's majestic response. Cat's aren't supposed to exhibit such coolness of character in the face of threat. Because the dog expected the cat to turn tail and run, he didn't know what to do when the cat didn't react instinctively. We too, like that cool cat, can stop enemies and attacking forces dead in their tracks when we remain cool, calm, and collected in the face of difficult situations.
So the next question is, "how do we cultivate equanimity?" Being calm in the face of danger and difficulty only comes with practice. We have to practice resisting our mammalian instincts of fight, flight, and freeze. In the heat of the moment, we will most likely resort to instincts. That is why a daily mindfulness practice is so helpful. We must train our breath and minds to respond instead of react. I'm working on breathing, relaxing, feeling, watching, and allowing. Slowing things down and reciting mantras such as love, love, love, and thinking compassionate thoughts helps immensely. Trusting that the universe always has our best interest in mind and that everything is always as it should be while remembering that kindness begets kindness and that love is the most powerful force in the world all help cultivate equanimity. Basically, holding all the qualities of a saint or bodhisattva will do the trick. I think I will incorporate an equanimity mantra into my daily mindfulness meditations.
mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situationThe author of a book I'm reading talked about how his cat so perfectly displayed equanimity the other day when a dog came charging at it as he was outside on the front lawn. The cat didn't bolt. No, the cat simply sat tall, eyes fixed straightforward. The dog stopped it's charge and skidded to a stop with his front paws in the face of such equanimity. Tail tucked, the dog wheeled around and darted for home.
That, my friends, is the power of equanimity. The dog was taken aback by the cat's majestic response. Cat's aren't supposed to exhibit such coolness of character in the face of threat. Because the dog expected the cat to turn tail and run, he didn't know what to do when the cat didn't react instinctively. We too, like that cool cat, can stop enemies and attacking forces dead in their tracks when we remain cool, calm, and collected in the face of difficult situations.
So the next question is, "how do we cultivate equanimity?" Being calm in the face of danger and difficulty only comes with practice. We have to practice resisting our mammalian instincts of fight, flight, and freeze. In the heat of the moment, we will most likely resort to instincts. That is why a daily mindfulness practice is so helpful. We must train our breath and minds to respond instead of react. I'm working on breathing, relaxing, feeling, watching, and allowing. Slowing things down and reciting mantras such as love, love, love, and thinking compassionate thoughts helps immensely. Trusting that the universe always has our best interest in mind and that everything is always as it should be while remembering that kindness begets kindness and that love is the most powerful force in the world all help cultivate equanimity. Basically, holding all the qualities of a saint or bodhisattva will do the trick. I think I will incorporate an equanimity mantra into my daily mindfulness meditations.
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