Practice Equanimity Mindfulness

Equanimity mindfulness practice trains to help accept the good and the not so good. Equanimity to every person, emotion and experience is considered as one of the highest of virtues…

BUT, in reality, this is easier said than done. We cling to the good memories, feel bad about the unfortunate turn of events in our life and finally, we feel repelled to some people.

It is a fact of life that existence is a mix of the good and the not so good. So, developing equanimity can help us lead peaceful and contented lives.

The yoga term for equanimity is upeksha; the wisdom of equality beyond any mental boundaries or restriction.

How to practice equanimity mindfulness

1. Sit comfortably in a quiet room of your house or a quiet part of a park. Switch off your mobile phones.

2. Take a couple of deep breaths. Then, focus on your natural breathing. Continue the awareness on your breaths till you feel you are calm and feel ready to start the practice.

3. Think of a person whom you dislike, but not your foe. Think what makes you dislike him. Just think if he does something good to you, won’t you like him? Repeat to yourself and realise that everything in the world is temporal including your dislikes. Similarly, you can think of a situation which disturbed you. Focus on how that event pained you. Again, focus on the aspect that everything changes in this existence. Realise how that painful experience would have made you a better human being.

4. Think of a person who works against you. Think if he is actually that bad as you assume him to be. What if he does something good to you or gives up his anger against you? Will you love him? Forgive him for his acts and repeat to yourself that you will get on with your life without harbouring any resentment.

5. Now, think of a person whom you like the most. What make you love him or her the most? What if he or she does something bad to you? Will you still like that person?

6. Once you are through with the session, focus on your breaths for a while and then continue with your day.

It could be tough or even painful at times to think about and focus on your foes…

If you find it very tough, stop equanimity mindfulness practice for a while and then resume it, again. If you still find it tough to focus on a particular person even after pausing for a while, continue this mindfulness by focussing on some other person.