A Pocket of Peace
by Janice Lynne Lundy
A Pocket of Peace is an intentional pause. It is a sacred opportunity to stop, let go of any emotional or physical duress we may be experiencing, and remember the inner peace that abides within us. When life threatens to overwhelm, when stress, fear, or worry come to call, simply stop, take a breath, and practice this Pocket of Peace. Doing so will bring you home to your truest self - a woman who is naturally calm, clear, and wise.

Everyone needs an oasis in the desert of life.
Your personal oasis is waiting for you.
When you find it, drink deeply of its cooling waters.
Relax in the shade of its sheltering palms.
Be satisfied.
Be well.

~~~~~~~

Greeting Wild Emotions with Equanimity-
Especially During the Holidays!

“Equanimity” is one of my favorite words. I first heard it from my dear friend, Mari, a yoga and meditation teacher from Oregon. Mari is also a Buddhist-leaning author and an amazing cartoonist. Her whimsical illustrations are all about equanimity: the quality of being calm, even-tempered, and composed. The subjects of most of her drawings are dogs, who seem very much like people, prone to wild and wacky emotions, but dedicated to finding their way to a more peaceful, enlightened existence. Mari and her furry friends always make me laugh and help me take my life—even when it appears challenging—a little more lightly.

Equanimity. What prevents us from experiencing the mental balance that the word implies? Simply put, our wild mind does; its 60,000+ thoughts a day, most of which are negative; plus an entire spectrum of intense emotions that can grab us by the throat and heart in a nanosecond. Equanimity can begin to take a foothold, however, when we awaken to the true nature of our thoughts. When we realize they are nothing more than just thoughts—a trail of words put together. And, that they can change from minute to minute. Thoughts can come and go as quickly as a commuter train, or linger awhile like an annoying neighbor. Thoughts are just thoughts, and when we begin to realize that we can actually work with them, navigate them, instead of allowing them to drive us, our lives begin to change.

I have a favorite bumper sticker that illustrates this very theory. It says: “You don’t have to believe everything you think.” It’s true! A thought comes in, it moves on. It stays for a while or it doesn’t. No big deal.

What if, when a negative thought whooshed in, accompanied by its companion—a wild emotion—we were able to do something other than get swept away by them?

Try this Pocket of Peace for Equanimity

The next time an emotion-laden thought knocks upon the door of your psyche, imagine greeting it at the threshold, just as you would an actual visitor. Notice who is there (a tumultuous thought or emotion). Then name the thought/emotion. Ah, jealousy. Ah, irritation. Ah, worry.

Next, say, silently or aloud: “Hello. It was nice of you to come and call, but I don’t think I want to play today.” Then, shut the door and move on, stepping back into the equanimity you were feeling before this pesky visitor came to call.

The act of naming the tumultuous thought or emotion actually disempowers it. Naming, releases its bluster and force, just like letting the air out of a balloon. In a few moments, the balloon/emotion can fizzle down to nothing. Naming, then distancing ourself from the thought/emotion, creates a window of time and space whereby we can see more clearly how it is that we get lured in.

This is a very powerful process, and one that can have a life-changing effect upon us, but it does take practice. With time, intention, and right effort, we can create new relationships with all of our emotions; moving away from those that keep us rooted in anger, fear, or worry; reorienting us toward those that are sourced in peace, love, and joy. Every day of our life can be more peace-filled, no matter what visitor comes, with an equanimity practice such as this. Inner peace remains a matter of choice—ours.

Until next time …

May you be happy.
May you be well.
May you be safe.
May you be peaceful and at ease.

Love and Blessings,
Jan Lundy

©Janice Lynne Lundy, 2008
Learn more about Jan Lundy and "Pockets of Peace."

September's Pocket of Peace
October's Pocket of Peace
November's Pocket of Peace