Monday, June 9, we will meet online.
Dear friends,
This week, we will meet Monday evening, June 9th, from 7-8:30PM EDT online; Wednesday morning, June 11th, from 7-8AM EDT in person at our meditation space (3812 Northampton Street NW); and Friday, June 13, 12-1PM EDT online.
On Monday night, Ellen will facilitate. Ellen shares:
Sometimes life brings things together in unexpected ways, sometimes good, sometimes tough. We have a lot of uncertainty in our world, in our country, and our communities now. I’ve been thinking about uncertainty in my life and how we can use mindfulness to calm the difficult feelings that can arise in uncertain times. At the same time, I’ve been thinking about equanimity, which seems more important than ever now. Attaining equanimity is not easy, and it’s especially hard with so much uncertainty and pain around us now. But what is equanimity really?
Here’s the first definition I found online, and how amazing that it included the Buddhist view of equanimity:
Equanimity is a state of being calm and balanced, especially in the midst of difficulty. It refers to evenness of mind, especially under stress. In Buddhism, equanimity is one of the Four Immeasurables or four great virtues that the Buddha taught his disciples to cultivate. The word equanimity can also refer to right disposition and balance.
There are many of Thay’s teachings on how mindfulness can help us in uncertain times, such as “calm and ease.” On the Plum Village YouTube channel, I found a short but powerful 50-second clip called “Go Home to Yourself,” that spoke to me. In it Thay said, “And if we don’t know how to go home to ourselves, take care of ourselves, nourish ourselves, We will be overwhelmed by that collective energy of hate, anger, bitterness. So taking care of ourselves is very important. And in order to do that, you have to go home to yourself. There is a safe island within.”
What gives you equanimity? What practice of mindfulness helps you weather the uncertainties?
I look forward to our time for sharing on Monday evening online.
Ellen