Recently, my daughter has been sending me gorgeous photos of spring time in Vancouver. She moved over there last September and just missed the long summer days and ocean breezes of July and August. Instead, she walked headfirst into the misty skies and darkness that can be associated with a coastal winter. Truthfully, she would say that winter wasn’t all bad as she was able to put her energy into creating a cozy home to come back to at the end of a long work day. For her, there was warmth in her winter, as I am sure there will be cool days in her summer. Moreover, the photos she sends reveal to me how we need both things: darkness and light. If there had been no coldness she might not be able to feel the full punch of warmth that the new season brings.
Often times, in life or in a meditation practice, there can be a compulsion to want to banish that which, at first sight, could be construed as less desirable. However, when we can be with the whole of any given moment, the light and the dark, we have an opportunity to meet our experiences with a quality of what psychologists and Buddhists call equanimity. This is the ability to cultivate a calm and measured mind state that is less reactive. It helps us to refrain from being pulled around by our successes and setbacks. More importantly, it helps us to stay grounded and open to the fullness of life without becoming overwhelmed by strong emotions.
In my daughter’s case, she has spent a winter of nesting and now she is approaching a summer of exploring. One is not better than the other, rather they both exist side by side and at times within each other. If she is able to meet each day as it comes without grasping or resisting, her ability to find peace and joy will not be dependent on forces out of her control (and this includes weather and seasons!).
This past weekend, I was training mindfulness teachers in the Sanctuary. We had the opportunity to practice outside in the gorgeous biodiversity field. During practice, we were able to sit with these opposites in real time. As we sat on our chairs in meditation, we could feel the warmth of the sun on our backs, while at the same time the coolness of the north wind on our exposed skins. We were also able to hear the melodic sounds of songbirds, while at the same time we heard car doors slamming and seagulls screeching. Being able to hold both in mind and heart at the same time with a quality of allowing helped us to maintain a peacefulness that was not rocked by external circumstances. This reminds me of how important our practice of mindfulness is, for it is meditation and presence that truly creates the climate for freedom from our conditioned mindsets. It just takes practice and a hefty dose of openness, curiosity, kindness and compassion.
If you would like to practice holding the whole of your experience in equanimity or at the very least explore what it might be like to move towards it, why not join us Tuesday at the Sanctuary’s community meditation. We meet at 10am on Zoom. I would love to see you there.
Or, if you would like to explore the possibility of further training in mindfulness or to teach mindfulness, our next Being Present starts in August. Contact James at programmes@sanctuary.ie for more information.
Warmly,
Jane
My Silent Place 
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