Tranquility Part 2: Equanimity

Equanimity refers to mental tranquility. It is the mind's ability to remain calm (and therefore focused). We are taken out of that equanimity by the events we encounter in our day; by what we feel about the situations we must face. The problem is, we feel something about everything that happens to and around us. We're supposed to. But it's the preoccupation with those feelings that cause us to leave an equanimous state and become reactive. This is the main cause of suffering according to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras; attachment and aversion. We see something we like, we feel a connection to it, and up the chances we'll be unhappy when its not around. And vice versa.


In the yoga sutras Patanjali states there are three levels of meditation. The first is concentration on a single thing; One pointedness. The art of which I think is largely lost on the majority of our society. I think the consumerism part of our society is predicated on the fact that we are distracted. If we were concentrating on one thing at a time we probably wouldn't be convinced to buy as much stuff. The second level of meditation is the awareness of your awareness. Interesting idea. When you are able to concentrate and sustain that concentration long enough you become aware of a part of your mind that is aware of the fact that you're concentrating. You end up watching yourself watch something.


This part of your mind, the part that watches without getting involved, is the part I want you to try to cultivate this week. It is the part of your mind which can be objective about what you feel. And what we feel takes us away from equanimity. The inner balance that results from a mind less swayed by reactions to the external world is a calmer, more tranquil one.


We are designed to feel. I love the stand up bit I heard about the cave man who took anti-anxiety meds and smiled as he was eaten. But we are not designed to be on high alert every day, all day. It is imperative to our health that we take time to de-stress.


The fact is, we are not how we feel. If we allow the feeling to take over it can define how we behave and what choices we make. If we can distance our self identity from what we feel we can be more tranquil.

Onepointedness

The first level of meditation, according to the Yoga Sutras, is one pointedness.


I try to be the kind of teacher who practices what she preaches, but when concentration rolls around I realize how little practice I have at it outside of a yoga class. I am always doing two things at once. It's hard to have all of my mind in one place at one time. We are not encouraged to sit still, sit quietly. Well, we may have situations which require stillness and all of our attention but we're not really taught any techniques that can help us do that.


Unless you do yoga. I know there are other techniques, but none of them really helped me until they were linked with my body. I've always been more body oriented than mind. It's been in working with the two in tandem that I've learned about myself and the way I distract.
Even writing this proves challenging when the light hits my screen and I notice finger prints and water spots. There are so many things that can trigger memories and take you away from what you're doing.


One way yoga suggests to keep yourself present is to pay attention to the breath. This works only if you have begun to be aware of your breath and its' movement in your body. If you are trying to be present without a baseline for breath awareness, noticing it will take you even further away from what you're trying to concentrate on.


Lately, asking myself a simple question helps to pull me back to where I need to be. "What are you doing?" Now take any accusatory tone out of the inflection. Make it a genuine question of curiosity. What are you doing? Are you submitting to a craving? Are you subtly unhappy about your current circumstances and therefore running from them mentally? Whatever the circumstances, asking the question (even if you can't immediately answer it) helps to alleviate the pull of whatever it was. You'll be able to draw yourself back to your task.


As you clear out noise from your mind (the things you hold on to which are distractions) you'll have more of your mind to use on the processing of any given moment. It is said that dreams are the way your mind integrates all the stimuli you're subjected to in a day. According to yoga texts, advanced yogis don't dream. They are so present that they don't need to. They are already integrated.


In a yoga class you're asked to notice so many things at once. Sometimes it seems counterintuitive to try to pay attention to so many different parts of your body at once. And then the breath on top of it all. But as you practice you'll find this becomes easier because you'll no longer see each part as separate.

You Must Rock

Moving is no fun. Just ask anyone. But it can be less daunting if you have people around you with the right attitude. This week we practice with a light heart. Yoga is important work and it can bring up some heavy thoughts. Your reaction to this, and any kind of daunting situation, is going to determine how bad it gets.


The link below will take you to a video of Greg Behrendt, stand up comedian and author. The video explains the gist of his book. You must rock. Rock stars are rock stars 24/7, not just 9-5 Monday through Friday. Why do you spend so much of your time doing things, or being with a person, that doesn't inspire you? That only fulfills needs, not gives you passion and purpose. And why not encourage and support those in your life? To give that inspiration and purpose.


http://youtu.be/qeHlgzD1r7I


I see this in yogis, but all too often I see people who have work they don't love and lives they drift through. You must rock!



It's all about perspective and attitude. It's not only in the yoga community that if you can see the work that you do as a calling, or as something bigger than a job, you're going to be happy you're doing it and you're going to want to do it, and you're going to be happier.