Find a comfortable but alert position in which to sit.
As you allow your eyes to gently close,
Pay attention to the body and see if there are any minor adjustments that will help you maintain the position for the duration of the meditation.
Rest your hands comfortably on your legs or in your lap.
We'll start with a few minutes of concentration practice,
Just to help our mind settle and arrive in our present time experience.
Allow your breathing to be natural,
Seeing where in the body you can feel the breath most naturally.
It may be in the stomach or abdomen,
Where you can feel the rising and falling as the body breathes.
It might be in the chest,
Where you may notice the expansion and contraction as the body inhales and exhales.
Perhaps it's at the nostrils,
Where you can feel a slight tickle as the air comes in and the subtle warmth as the body exhales.
Breathing in,
Just bring a gentle awareness to the breath.
Breathing out,
Be aware of the breath leaving the body.
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You may notice the mind wandering.
This offers us an opportunity to cultivate mindfulness and concentration.
Each time we notice the mind wandering,
We're strengthening our ability to recognize our present experience.
Each time we bring the mind back to the breath,
We strengthen our ability to concentrate.
Treat it as an opportunity rather than a problem.
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In equanimity practice,
We're cultivating a mind and heart that stays balanced and at ease with our surroundings.
In equanimity,
We come to understand that our happiness and suffering are not caused by our experiences and circumstances,
But in our responses to them.
We may begin our equanimity practice by repeating the following phrases for ourselves.
I am responsible for my own actions.
I am responsible for the energy and attention I give my thoughts,
Feelings,
And experiences.
May I find a true source of happiness.
May I find peace exactly where I am.
May I find peace exactly where I am.
May I find peace exactly where I am.
May I find peace exactly where I am.
Now,
Bring to mind someone who has benefited you or been especially kind to you.
This may be a loved one,
A friend,
A teacher,
Or mentor.
As this person comes to mind,
Tune into your natural desire to see this person happy,
Free from suffering,
And at ease with life.
The practice is to recognize that although we may offer this person compassion,
We are not in control of their happiness.
Equanimity helps us to let go of the outcome and focus on our own practice.
Repeat silently to yourself the following phrases.
Regardless of my wishes for you,
Your happiness is not in my hands.
All beings are responsible for the suffering or happiness created by their own actions.
May you find a true source of happiness.
May you find peace exactly where you are.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Let this person go from your mind and bring to mind a neutral person.
This is someone you see,
Maybe regularly,
But you don't know very well.
It may be somebody who works somewhere you go a lot,
A coworker,
A person you've seen at meetings,
Or maybe a neighbor.
Although you don't know this person well,
You can recognize that just as you wish to be happy,
This person wants to be happy as well.
You don't need to know what their happiness looks like.
Again,
Offer this person the phrases of equanimity,
Recognizing that you aren't in charge of their happiness.
Regardless of my wishes for you,
Your happiness is not in my hands.
All beings are responsible for the suffering or happiness created by their own actions.
May you do what needs to be done to find happiness.
May you find peace exactly where you are.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Now,
Letting this neutral person go,
Think of somebody whom you find difficult,
Or toward whom you feel resentment,
Hurt,
Or jealousy.
You may not want to pick the most difficult person in your life,
Instead,
Choose someone who is currently agitating or annoying you.
Again,
Offer these phrases of equanimity with the intention of recognizing that they are in charge of their happiness and ease.
Regardless of my wishes for you,
Your happiness is not in my hands.
All beings are responsible for the suffering or happiness created by their own actions.
May you find a true source of happiness.
May you find peace exactly where you are.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Now,
Letting go of all thoughts of others,
Return your focus to your own body,
Mind,
And heart.
Notice any discomfort,
Tension,
Or difficulty you may be feeling.
Notice if you are experiencing any new lightness,
Warmth,
Relaxation,
Or joy.
Notice if you feel any increase in your ability to care without controlling,
To accept that each of us is responsible for the consequences of our own actions.
Then,
Whenever you are ready,
Allow your eyes to open and gently return your attention to the space around you.
