 |
OPEN MIND OPEN BODY The Yoga of Connection |
|
|
|
Week 6: Equanimity, or "Seeing Clearly" A Meditation for Dissolving Anger In discussion, anger has come up as an obstacle to connection. So this week, I offer a traditional Tibetan yoga meditation designed to dissolve anger in the moment (if you can remember to do it!). When practiced regularly, the meditation also can root out anger at the source, and make it less likely that other people can "make" you angry. So it is worth practicing even when you are not angry. When you see what the meditation is, you might be tempted to say, "Oh, I already know that! I don't need to do a meditation about it." Intellectual knowledge is different than deep knowing. Deep knowing can prevent you from becoming angry in the first place. Intellectual knowing can never compete with the hot fire of momentary anger. You simply won't remember. You will be too caught up in the limited focus of anger. Anger is considered a destructive emotion because very little good comes out of the actual experience of anger. It tends to inspire destructive thoughts and actions: blame, hate, revenge, retaliation, withdrawal, and so on. Anger can be a useful emotion if it inspires you to compassionate and skillful action - like a wake up call to change course. The trick is to recognize the spark of anger before it consumes your mind. The experience of anger always turns the focus back to you and your own suffering. The antidote is to cultivate a state of equanimity or clear "vision" - turning the focus away from you. This means being calm enough to see clearly why people are doing the things that anger you, why it angers you, and what thoughts, words, or actions might lead to peace. The Practice For each step of this meditation, you will bring to mind a specific person, and imagine the following: Imagine this person, in the environment you usually see them in, doing the kind of thing they typically do. See them - really see them - and realize: "Just like me, (they) wish to be happy and free of suffering." ["Really see them" doesn't mean you need to have a crystal clear mental picture of them. It refers to the ability to see them as a human being, acting from the same basic motivation as you, even if their thinking is confused or actions destructive.] When you have a genuine sense of equanimity or clear vision of this person, continue to the next. Begin with one of your favorite people in the world. A best friend, a partner, a family member. Then imagine a "neutral" person - someone you see on a regular basis in your life, but have no strong feelings towards. Then imagine a "stranger" - someone you might see in everyday life, but have no interaction with. Then imagine a "difficult" person - someone who you believe causes you to suffer. When imagining them doing their usual actions, imagine them doing the things that angers you. This particular part of the meditation can be done, in an instant, the next time someone angers you. In Asana Practice/Yoga Class How might you apply this idea in your asana practice? You're going to think I'm kidding, but try it first and see how it can transform a least favorite (or "enemy") pose. When you find yourself struggling in a pose, or uncomfortable in a pose, say to yourself, "Just like me, this pose wants to be happy and free of suffering." (Sthira sukham asanam, as Patanjali wrote in the Yoga Sutras). And realize that the pose itself is not trying to hurt you, frustrate you, or defeat you. That is what *you* are bringing to the pose. Equanimity, or clear vision, is the ability to see how your thoughts, words, or actions can create a peaceful experience in a pose (even if that means adapting the pose or making peace with the pose by not practicing the pose). "Just like me, this pose wants to happy and free of suffering." Think of each pose as a friend that you are in partnership with.
|
|