Equanimity

Reading from Monday and Tuesday, January 2nd and 3rd, 2012 yoga class

Definitions of equanimity:  Evenness of mind, especially under stress; Right disposition; Balance

"My students often ask me to describe equanimity.  I tell them I cannot do better than to tell the story of my greatest teacher of equanimity, my cat, Mr. B.  It didn't take long in the presence of Bonanda to realize that this animal was deeply spiritual, that he was, in fact, enlightened. He clearly earned his name in an earlier life.  Nothing shook Bonanda.  One day, Mr. B., as I came to call him, was sitting in  my front yard, calmly surveying the neighborhood like a little sphinx, all knowing, and all seeing.  Head up, eyes scanning slowly up and down the street.  Two doors down, something unusual happened.  My neighbor's large and ferocious German shepherd, Queenie, got out of the house.  She was in turn surveying the scene on the street when her eye caught sight of Mr. B.  Queenie stood perfectly still for a moment, ears up.  She crouched.  Then she charged, like a rocket, directly at the composed little figure of Bonanda.  Mr. B did not budge.  Did not blink.  He stared with utter nonconcern at Queenie's raging approach.  A foot or two from Bonanda, Queenie, completely taken aback by the cat's unflinching ease, put her two paws out in front of her, skidded to a stop, and ran back to her own yard.  Mr. B., put his head back down on his paws.  That was that. 

This is equanimity."                  From the book "Yoga and the Quest for the True Self,  by Stephen Cope

I just love this piece.  Some words to describe equanimity:  Connection, permission, simplification, self-trust, inner stillness, time alone, a good friend, quiet, focus, breath, faith, continuity. 

I think that we cultivate equanimity in our yoga practice everytime we roll out our yoga mats.  Being in that place makes us feel safe and secure... it helps us connect to the place inside ourselves that is ALWAYS still.  Equanimity is created, moment by moment on your yoga mats where you are much more receptive and responsive and open. 

As we begin this new year of 2012... as my teacher, Laura Spaulding told us at the last class of 2011,  instead of resolving to lose 10 pounds or stop eating chocolate.. why not wish for the HIGHEST for yourself, whatever that highest might be... open to the possibilities that are inside you, just waiting for you to put it in motion.