Accepting the Storm

Equanimity is a term used conjunction with meditation and mindfulness, but less often in regular daily life, so it can be helpful to give it some context. Storms can help us understand the concept of equanimity and how it applies in daily life.

When we hear that a potentially dangerous storm is coming, relating to this fact with equanimity might look like this:

1. Acknowledgement: Seeing the present moment as it is. "A storm is coming.”

2. Acceptance/Opening. Opening to the present moment, not pushing it away or clinging to it; holding all of its complexity in kind awareness, including our lived experience as it relates to the reality of the present moment. "Okay. [Breath.] A storm is coming. I have plans that are being disrupted by the storm, and I notice feelings of disappointment. I notice and open to the concern I’m feeling about the well-being of family and neighbors, and I also open to the sense of excitement, and some awe about the power of nature.”

3. Action for Future Moments: Acknowledgement and acceptance of the present moment, and how we’re relating to it, help us to see things more clearly, including what our options may be. If the reality of the present moment does not meet our needs or align with our values, we can use this clear-seeing and acceptance to create the future moments that will serve the well-being of ourselves and others. "A storm is coming. I am experiencing both comfortable and uncomfortable feelings related to the fact that a storm is coming. Preparation is called for so that I can be safe, even if that preparation is inconvenient or even disappointing in the extreme.”

There are many mindfulness practices that can help us to strengthen the ability to meet each moment with grace and poise. Here is a one:

A Practice to Develop Equanimity:
Bring particular attention to the sounds around you. Notice sounds as they arise, accepting and opening to each sound exactly as it is. As you become aware of sounds, notice any reactions that you feel in response to the sounds. Maybe you find a sound pleasant, maybe you find it unpleasant and wish it would stop. This hearing of the sounds and noticing reactions to the sounds takes place in the body. It’s not a mental exercise. When you notice the mind getting involved (it might show up as a thought like, “The neighbor should not let his dog sit outside and bark like that”), redirect your attention to noticing the feeling beneath the thought (perhaps it’s frustration or anger), and accept and open to the felt sense of that feeling. As you become aware of the next sound that arises, repeat this process: notice and accept the sound as a fact in the moment, then notice and open to any feeling related to that sound. Stay with this for several minutes, or as long as you like, getting familiar with the experience of accepting and opening to what arises in life. In this practice, there is no need to take action for future moments. We are building our ability to see the moment as it is. The better we get at this, the wiser our courses of action will be.

We exist to support your practice. We hope you can join us this week for one of our many in-person or virtual sessions. Click here to see our full schedule. For a Mindfulness of Sounds or Mindfulness of Emotions guided meditation, please visit the Library on our website. If there are other ways we can support your practice, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at welcome@communitymind.org.

May all beings feel the ease of equanimity,

Your CMP Family