Equanimity

Gregg’s Reflection

Equanimity: state of stability and composure undisturbed by experience or exposure to emotional pains that may cause others to lose the balance of mind. Mental calmness. Non anxious presence. Wikipedia

I remember the first time I heard the term ‘non anxious presence.’ It was a foreign concept to me. At the time, I was still ruled by my emotions, though I denied it. Over the years since then, I have seen an inner calmness emerge. I have learned to accept reality as it is. Richard Rohr likes to say,

God comes to us disguised as reality. And, most of our unhappiness is our inability to accept reality as it is.

It takes a bit more to rile me up these days. The Buddhists speak of non-attachment. The root is the unwavering faith that God is with us, and will strengthen us to face whatever comes our way. Listen to these wise words.

Equanimity is the very nature of the soul. Jesus would have called it “the peace the world cannot take away” (John 14:27).

Richard Rohr, Naked Now, p. 136

He who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger.

Japanese Wisdom

Father, I abandon myself into your hands, do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you; I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so desire to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.

Charles de Foucauld, Martyred in the Algerian Desert, with no published works, no followers, no fame. Henri Nouwen, Nouwen Society Daily Devo, 8/3/20

I really believe that it is possible for you to develop a simple life of prayer that can give you that “holy indifference.” By that, I mean the place where you feel so truly safe and so well held that the ups and downs of your life aren’t able to distress you or excite you. I have personally found much help in spending a little time every day just repeating in my mind a sacred text such as the prayer of St. Francis, “Make me an instrument of your peace. . . .” When I let these words enter deeply into my consciousness, something new in me happens and I am moved beyond the places where exultation or depression dwell.

Henri Nouwen, Nouwen Society Daily Devo 9/11/20

Mindfulness is calm presence with what is, whether joy or pain, ease or difficulty, boredom or ecstasy, life or death. It is most commonly developed through a discipline of meditation or contemplation. Mindfulness practice gradually cultivates courage, wholeheartedness, and the capacity to remain present with all experiences.

Bill Plotkin, Nature and the Human Soul, p. 284-285

This being human is a guest house, Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,who violently sweep your house empty of all its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes because each of them has been sent as a guide from beyond.

Rumi, The Guest House

It is your resistance to things as they are that causes most of your unhappiness.

Richard Rohr Yes, and, p. 30

Unconditional love, physiologically, is the capacity to stay open, yielded, softened, and embracing whatever is. That activates a whole different neurological circuitry and releases all the energy otherwise tied up in attachment to your own identity.

Rodney Smith, Kathleen Singh, The Grace in Living p. 188

Have you found your silent practice? Found the peace that comes when you enter the silent land? “In contemplation you learn to trust your Vital Center over all the passing snags and jerks of emotions and obsessive thinking. Once you are anchored in such a strong and loving soul, which is also the Indwelling Spirit, you are no longer pulled to and fro with every passing feeling. You have achieved a peace that nothing else can give you and that no one can take from you (John 14:27).”

Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) Morning Devo, 12/23/19

Abbot Macarius said: If, wishing to correct another, you are moved to anger, you gratify your own passion. Do not lose yourself to save another.

Thomas Merton, Wisdom of the Desert, p.31