Arriving Home :: Equanimity Moment-To-Moment
Whether we know it or not, we are all looking for a state of inner-balance on a certain level. Balance in particular can take many forms – it can shape itself onto specific circumstances you may find yourself in. At times, balance comes across as a feeling of overall ease when things are going smoothly in your life. Other times balance expresses itself as contentment or a sense of fulfillment.
Traditionally, balance can be explored through teachings on equanimity. Most generally, equanimity is defined as a sense of evenness in the heart and mind. There is often both a quality of stability and balance present. Further, as we learn additional translations of equanimity, we come to see it means much more.
A classic translation of equanimity is upekkha meaning “to look over”. This is the ability to see without being caught up by what you’re seeing. Mindfulness or vipassana meditation is a practice of perceiving reality clearly and seeing things as they are, without attaching meaning to what we see or experience. Seeing our lives without being caught up by the story lines and narratives can give way to a greater sense of inner-peace.
The next classical definition of equanimity is tatramajjhatata. Tatra meaning “there”, majjha meaning “middle”, and tata meaning “to stand with purpose”. The full translation means “in the middle of all this” or “being in the middle”. It’s also a reference to balance and being centered in the middle of whatever is happening. This kind of balance can give way to a real solid sense of stability that is also very resilient.
Much like our mindfulness, equanimity can be cultivated as a baseline from which we live our lives. Below are my favorite practices on growing your sense of inner-balance and equanimity.
Practices To Cultivate Equanimity
Roots of a tree meditation: a meditation to become rooted and grounded wherever you are.
Taking your seat: the act of showing up to your meditation practice and then letting your attention settle into the lower half of the body.
Breath focus meditation: placing your attention on the breath when meditating. You can also cultivate more balance by centering your attention on a deeper breath whenever you need to.
Flashing your awareness: a practice of succinctly placing your full attention on the experience of being in your body, noticing your mind and sensing your heart in any given moment.
The more you cultivate equanimity, the more calm, peace and ease you will experience. Giving way to a natural state of wellbeing based in balance.
