Equanimity Meditation

Guided Meditation

To live life is to witness change.  It is inevitable and unavoidable.  The suffering we experience when things change is not from the change itself.  It is from our resistance to change.  

We cannot stop change from occurring, but we can cultivate equanimity.  Equanimity allows for the space needed to hold the mysteries of life with non judgemental acceptance.  Whether change is seen as pleasant or unpleasant, we can see the uncontrolled and impermanent nature of our experiences and still embrace our tendency to resist the change itself. 

Equanimity is sometimes referred to as the “grandparent feeling.” Grandparents often have the same love for their grandchildren that they had for their own children, but with more ease and perspective around expectations and difficulties.



Script

Meditate on your own or with a group

Find a position that is comfortable for you and begin to bring awareness to any tension you may be carrying. Without pushing the tension away, simply allow it to be as it is and invite it to relax for a few moments.  You might take a few deep breaths that nourish your body with a little extra oxygen.  You can relax your gaze or close your eyes if you feel comfortable doing so. (pause briefly)

  • Bring into mind a change in your work or your personal life to which you may have been experiencing some resistance. 
  • Allow the change to sit with you as if it were a guest in your house.  Notice any feelings associated with this guest.
  • Say silently to yourself, “May I accept and be open to what is right now.”
  • “May my struggle ease.”
  • “May I give myself the kindness I need to deal with this situation.”
  • “May my heart and mind be open to this experience and the wisdom it will inevitably bring, with balance and ease.”
  • “May I be at ease with the changing circumstances of my life and be kind to myself and others.”
  • “May I have equanimity as I take skilful action to make things better.”
  • “A Moment like this is hard to endure.  May I continue to try and help where I can.”
  • Take another deep breath and wish yourself well.  “May I be happy and at ease with spacious equanimity.”


When we cultivate equanimity, we’re moved by injustice in the world and motivated to make things better, but our deep inner serenity is not disturbed.

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