Equanimity
Recently, I’ve been learning more about how the brain works. Its main job is to keep us alive in this moment. It does this through constantly analyzing information, ignoring things that seem like noise, and trying to predict what will come next. Because of this hardwiring of the brain, we can feel especially disrupted when there is not clear information coming in.
The ancient Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca wrote “the whole future lies in uncertainty.” One way to interpret this is sentiment is to understand there is a freedom in accepting that we don’t know the future. It is a powerful choice to focus our attention and effort in this present moment, based on the limited information we have right now.
Focusing on the present moment – this is where clear information comes from. Jon Kabat-Zinn in his book Full Catastrophe Living said, “The present is the only time that we have to know anything. It is the only time we have to perceive, to learn, to act, to change, to heal, to love.” Everything you remember is colored by your mind, like sepia tone pictures. All the scenarios you can imagine for the future have not happened yet. Not to mention, that the present moment is the only time we can DO anything. It’s not like we can “bank” actions for the future…the action we take in this moment will help define our future.
But how hard is it to stop your reminiscing/planning mind? How easy does your attention shift toward the “what ifs” and potentially the worst-case scenarios or the “this always happens to me” thoughts? It can only take a moment watching the news or checking out social media to stir these kinds of thoughts and shift into fight/flight/freeze mode.
Equanimity is the art of maintaining a balanced mental and emotional state in this moment, in the midst of all that is happening. Maintaining this balance does require some effort in the here and now. Luckily yoga has some tools to help.
Take a breath. Just one, right now. Take another and notice the flow of air through your body. Try breathing out through your mouth, like a sigh. Giving your mind something to focus on can help shift you out of planning/panic mode.
Move your body. I’m a big fan of the idea that a little walk outside can solve a lot of mental congestion (maybe not sinus congestion though ;). Moving your body helps move all the chemicals that flood your body when we have a stress response. Literally changing your physical position can change your mental outlook. And walking in nature helps us cultivate a more open perspective and might even support a feeling of being restored.
Take time for stillness. This might be meditation, but it does not have to be a formal practice. Things like savoring your morning coffee or watching the sunset can be ways to slow down the planning, fixing, reacting habits of the brain.
YOGA! Of course yoga has all of these elements together. Creating a regular practice of moving your body, attending to the breath, and cultivating quiet can have profound effects over time.
Remember that your brain is wired for constant assessment and prediction. It takes some effort to manage these automatic responses so that we can maintain a sense of balance in this crazy life.
Namaste,
Kim