It seems that many people are experiencing life these days caught up in some sort of crisis or conflict, be it at work, at home or in relationship. It might be stress around processes, deadlines, budgets and job security, or personal relationships and unresolved conflicts, or how to resolve health or education challenges, or whether what we are doing is what we really want to be doing with our life. Stress is the wrapper surrounding our lives. We are consistently experiencing racing heartbeats, shortness of breath, tight jaws, facial frowns, rigid postures, negative emotions, critical and judgmental inner dialogue, illness and disease. Our lives are defined by automated, robotic reactivity to conflict and crisis.

 

But it doesn't have to be this way. Mastering the equanimity philosophy and concept in life and at work is in this regard a very important trait.

 

What is equanimity?

Equanimity - the evenness and steadiness of mind when under stress - is a practice most often discussed in Buddhist and Sufi traditions. Equanimity is the foundation for wisdom and freedom and also for compassion and love. It is described as a mind that is abundant, immeasurable and without hostility or ill-will. In others words, it is the capacity to remain neutral, to observe from a distance and be at peace without getting caught up in what we observe. It's the capacity to see the big picture with understanding. In essence, it is about taking nothing personally, refusing to get caught up in the drama - either our own or others'.

Equanimity allows us to stand in the midst of conflict or crisis in a way where we are balanced, grounded and centered. It allows us to remain upright in the face of the strong winds of conflict and crisis, such as: blame, failure, pain, or disrepute. The winds that set us up for suffering when they begin to blow. Equanimity protects us from being blown over and helps us stay on an even keel.

 

How do we develop equanimity?

There are several qualities that support the development of equanimity. One is integrity. Integrity helps us to feel confident when we speak and act. It fosters an equanimity that results in 'us feeling comfortable in any setting or with any group without the need to find fault or blame’.

 

Another quality that supports equanimity is faith - not necessarily a religious or theological faith, but faith based on wisdom, conviction or confidence. This type of faith allows us to meet challenge, crisis or conflict head on with confidence, with equanimity.

 

A third quality is that of a well-developed mind. A mind that reflects stability, balance and strength. We develop such a mind through a conscious and consistent practice of focus, concentration, attention and mindfulness. A well-developed, calm mind keeps us from being blown away by winds of conflict and crisis.

A fourth quality is a heightened sense of well-being which we develop by engaging in practices or activities that take us out of our robotic, ego-driven life and help us focus on a higher or deeper sense of consciousness. These might include meditation, martial arts, self-reflection, the arts, and right-brain focused activities.

A fifth quality that supports equanimity is understanding or wisdom which allows us to accept, be present and aware to our experience without our mind or heart resisting or contracting. In this place we separate people from their actions; we agree or disagree while being in balance with them. We take nothing personally.

Another quality is knowing that others create their own reality so we are able to exhibit equanimity in the face of others' pain or suffering and not feel we need to take responsibility for their well-being in the face of their conflict or crisis.

A seventh quality that supports equanimity is seeing reality for what it is, for example, that change and impermanence are a fact of life. We become detached and less clingy to our attachments. This means letting go of negative judgements about our experience and replacing them with an attitude of loving kindness or acceptance and a compassionate matter-of-factness. The more we become detached, the deeper we experience equanimity.

The final quality is freedom - letting go of our need to be reactive so we can observe without needing to get caught up in the fray - maintaining a consistent relaxed state within our body as sensations (e.g., strong, subtle, pleasant, unpleasant, physiological, or emotional) move through.

 

Equanimity, thus, has two aspects: the power of observation and an inner balance, both of which support one to be mindful, awake, aware and conscious. The greater the degree we are mindful, the greater our capacity for equanimity. The greater our equanimity, the greater our ability to remain steady and balanced as we navigate through the rough waters and gusty winds of change, challenge and conflict.

 

Equanimity allows for a safe harbor in the center of the storm when we are caught up in stress. In this place, we are more capable of meeting life with inner aplomb, without giving in to the underlying currents of tension and turmoil, and more able to respond effectively instead of reactively. Our responses take place in the conscious context of acceptance and equanimity.

 

Equanimity allows us to live a life of true and real achievement free from the trap of ego-based likes and dislikes, and emotional reactivity. The beauty of equanimity is that it supports you to live your life in such a way that you can experience a heightened sense of well-being regardless of external circumstances. Equanimity allows you to feel relaxed, make clearer, more sincere decisions, engage in more effective communication with others, speak the truth, be genuinely interested in listening to others, and be more trusting and trustworthy.

 

Source: ‘D. Blanchard, Equanimity: Conquering Mt. Entrepreneur’/ P. Gentempo, Money Revealed’. ‘P. Vajda: Why you need equanimity.