“However great the fury of the storm,
the sea does not abandon its calm”
Life is a tug of war between good and bad times, and ups and downs. Good times are enjoyed by all, but how about bad times? Can we live through bad times and emerge stronger?
When asked about the most important quality for a human being to master, the wise Roman scholar, Antonius Pracus answered, ‘equanimity.’ Equanimity is the liberating quality that allows us to keep our hearts and minds open and balanced, quiet and steady, in the midst of all changes. It is an inner state of total deflection from external negativity, misery and nuisances; it is a mental composure.
Equanimity enshrouds a positive attitude and healthy disposition and may be considered to be the emotion par excellence. Even when things don’t turn out the way we want them to, equanimity imbues the mind with a calm radiance. When faced with great current in the sea of life, a person with equanimity does not try to swim, but float. It is not a state of indifference but the total clarity of the present moment.
Equanimity is an art to be learned by conscious creation. Conscious creation is basically the act of creating your life by being mindful of your thoughts and feelings, and in so doing, controlling the experiences that are brought into your life.
‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’ Let this prayer vibrate in your heart time and again!