In the conflict of desires to be well-informed vs. to stay sane, losing your focus is easy. Maintain your inner sanity through the practice of equanimity.
Dear friends,
Is your desire to be well-informed currently at odds with your desire to stay sane?
You may want to consider the practice of equanimity, or cultivating a “caring perspective”.
It’s the caring perspective of a wise grandmother. She’s been through a lot in her long life, so she no longer gets caught up too personally in the latest ups and downs.
To help you access your inner wise grandmother (or grandfather), here are some equanimity phrases to repeat and reflect on:
Whether I understand it or not, things are unfolding according to a lawful nature.
Things are just as they are
May I accept things just as they are
May I be undisturbed by the comings and goings of things.
I will care for you but cannot keep you from suffering.
I wish you happiness but cannot make your choices for you.
No matter how I might wish things to be otherwise, things are as they are.
No matter what I wish for, things are as they are.
Self as I am, things as they are.
I have my path. You have your path. And I care about you.
May I be open and balanced and peaceful.
This is how it is. What now?
May I trust in the nature of the unfolding.
May I remain at ease in the middle of things.
… Which one resonates with you most? Please let me know by responding to this email.
Below are some guided equanimity meditations and talks to cultivate an inner sense of caring perspective even more.
Wishing you peace,
Sean Fargo
Founder, Mindfulness Exercises
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Free Meditations on Equanimity:
- EQUANIMITY: A GUIDED MEDITATION (by Joseph Goldstein)
- FINDING BALANCE IN DIFFICULT TIMES (by James Baraz)
- PARENTING HAPPILY
- EQUANIMITY, THE SWEET JOY OF THE WAY (by Spring Washam)
- EQUANIMITY MEDITATION (worksheet)
- EQUANIMITY AND FAITH (by Sharon Salzberg)
- PENETRATING EQUANIMITY (by Phillip Moffitt)
