Normally this time of year has a palpable energy and excitement in the air as the northern hemisphere starts to feel springtime vibes – longer days, flowers blossoming and warmer temperatures. There is a shift from hibernating over the winter months to more extrovert playful energy. But this spring is different. This season of our lives, we are being asked by health officials to spend time inside our homes – creating an opportunity for us to pivot from our normal schedules to slow life down and get back to basics. Have you felt that shift?
I have noticed a roller coaster of emotions and thoughts over the last few weeks. Feeling the highs and excitement/gratitude of being home, in my own bed, grounding back into a routine, cooking some of my favorite dishes, and being of service to my community. To the lows of my heart aching for my hometown of New York City. For all of the doctors/nurses/EMT/first responders/hospital workers who are putting their health on the line to take care of us. For the names and faces of each person we have lost. And then everywhere in between. What I know is that this emotional roller coaster is normal. And we each have our own version – peaking and falling at different rhythms and points and expressing ourselves in various ways. This is where equanimity can be a supportive practice. When we practice equanimity, we are finding balance in the present moment, observing our current emotions without clinging or grasping to them. Instead we can witness the emotion as something flowing in and out. I like to visualize it as the wind or the rhythm of the ocean – rising and falling. It allows the emotion to have motion instead of feeling sticky or stuck – congesting both the mind and body. Practicing equanimity can offer us more emotional balance and ease so that we respond to situations from a centered state instead of from reaction. Would this be helpful for you right now?
If so, in this moment, notice what are the current emotions you are experiencing? Use this emotion guide to help you label them. If you create a spectrum of your current experience, where would you place yourself? What would it look like and feel like to be rooted in the center? Noticing the “winds of emotions” are fluid experiences.
Ex. I am currently feeling sadness
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Sadness Hope
Listen to the Equanimity Meditation Practice Here.
These times we are in create an opportunity for doing less and being more – a time to be still, to listen, to observe, to witness. This stillness might feel uncomfortable at times and know that is normal. It might feel luxurious at other times and know that is normal. Wherever you feel and wherever you fall on this spectrum, can you practice experiencing it through the lens of equanimity?
Learn more about equanimity here: https://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/books-articles/equanimity/
This month I am bringing back the Journal Circle during the month of April, but this time it is the virtual addition in order to support us cultivating more equanimity. Learn more here.
Why journaling? Research conducted by psychologist James Pennebaker demonstrates journaling strengthens our immune systems and can support healing from past trauma or current stressful events.
The intention of this journal club is to create space for:
Community connection
Personal reflection
Life integration
New to journaling? No worries! Anyone and Everyone is welcome to sign up! All you need is a journal & pen.