Equanimity or Chaos?
Equanimity is defined in Wikipedia as "... a state of psychological stability and composure which is undisturbed by experience of or exposure to emotions, pain, or other phenomena that may cause others to lose the balance of their mind."
Our country is experiencing chaos for a multitude of reasons AND it is an election year! Even those of us normally balanced and clear-minded go in and out of equanimity more than usual. It is time for us to make conscious choices for our own well-being and for the well-being of our country. What will we choose and how will we make that choice? I think many of us see the United States as a country divided. I know I had started to do so. During a Chopra Instructors' meditation yesterday I received clarity and I hope the insight I gained will be of service to you.
I am choosing to seek and help re-create equanimity in my beloved country. I am looking within myself first of course. Am I caring for myself in ways that establish balance and harmony (equanimity) mentally, emotionally, and physically? For example, binging on high sugar foods does not calm me down! Eating healthy proteins, veggies, etc throughout the day keeps my glucose and energy levels steady. I do not experience mental/emotional/physical highs and lows. I feel good and am pleasant to be around! Doing this regularly allows me to be a loving and compassionate presence in my family and with my friends.
I can also consider the upcoming election and the well-being of my country with clarity, hope, and clear intentions. My first step has been to notice what I "hear" myself thinking, which was not positive, "My beloved country is a country divided" as well as "It will probably remain so after the election, no matter who is elected." No hope or clear vision there! I believe that if I continue to think and envision a country divided that is exactly what I will help to create. In light of that belief, I am re-working how I language/think of the United States.
The United States does not have to be a country divided. We are a country that contains good, honest, intelligent people with different views. Politically, we categorize ourselves in two primary parties: Democrats and Republicans. Since our foundation over 200 years ago, we have been governed by people with differing views of how that can best be done. SO that isn't anything new. Our leaders have, for reasons I will not divert to here, become more adversarial and the gap has widened.
We the people are about to vote in a major election. My prayer is that those we elect will remember that we are "one nation" and work toward the ability to find appropriate ways to work together so that we can once again live in a nation that finds its balance in light of its different points of view.
I will contact those who represent me now and in the months ahead and remind them that the key is to find balance once again. This is the only path to bring equanimity rather than chaos. Overpowering one another and ruling by force is not the American Way. It brings chaos and disorder. We have serious business to consider: economic recovery, creating jobs, an overburdened health care system, AND not the least of all EQUALITY FOR ALL AMERICANS.
What are you choosing for yourself today? What will you help create for our beloved country today and each day that follows? Consciously choosing to create equanimity, peace, as well as love and compassion for one another is what will restore us to balance and harmony as individuals and as a nation. Let us disagree strongly and clearly and let us do that with mutual respect and integrity.
Join me in establishing equanimity for yourself and for our country.
Contact me with questions, appointment requests, or whatever is on your mind and heart: [email protected] Please consider joining my online meditation group💖
