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.