Every so often we have breakfast with the discovery, thanks to scientists from the five continents, of new applications of techniques Mindfulness and Meditation for the improvement of human capabilities.
He boom of meditation has allowed us to know without any doubt that the regular practice of these techniques helps us to concentrate, to develop the ability to self-awareness to enter the Flow State to practice sports, to write (to those of us who write) and a long etcetera.
In reality, the applications are practically unlimited since ultimately, Practicing Meditation and Mindfulness allows us to “brighten” our intrinsic abilities , which otherwise would remain hidden from consciousness; We would live without knowing that they are within us. Meditate, as he would say Buddha, helps us wake up; Mindfulness, as a humanistic psychologist would say, serves to help ourselves .
A possible recipe against fanaticism
In this sense, I dare to affirm that meditating would also be a wonderful antidote to any type of fanaticism Whether we talk about nationalist, religious or sporting fanaticism, the most radical human passions are characterized by uncritical reactivity of the egos of a particular group, animated by a leadership capable of stirring their passions. Write it down, this is the formula for any fanaticism: explosive egos and leaders skilled in their management. And whether we talk about higher or lower passions, the common characteristic is always that the fanaticized individual lacks equanimity
What is equanimity? as it says Royal Academy of Languageequanimity is the ability to maintain equality and constancy of mind It would be something like seeing the river from the shore instead of being carried away by the current. To such a brief definition let us add that being equanimous also implies being able to temper the reactivity and automatisms of the ego, observing oneself from the outside and being aware of the emotions that affect us at all times.
The more balanced we are, the greater our autonomy will be when it comes to reacting and, by being more aware of the process, we can decide if we prefer to get out of the uncritical and lame crowd, if only to stop being guided by skillful manipulators. Who better to direct your own life than yourself, don’t you think?
The key is not to isolate yourself but rather to have intellectual equanimity.
With this I do not mean that the ideal, the culmination of vital development is to become solitary individuals, devoid of signs of identity, far from it. Being fair-minded you can also be a member of Barça or Valencia, maintain certain political convictions or others, profess one faith or another. The nuance is that By being equanimous I will be able to question myself as a person as well as question my beliefs and reactions , adapting and modifying them when deemed necessary. The same will happen with the convictions that others present to me: I will be able to contemplate them without fear of losing my identity. It will not be necessary to fall into the confrontation of sides.
Well, all this is achieved purely and simply meditating And, in fact, the exercise of meditation could also be called “the practice of equanimity.” By repeatedly withdrawing attention from the mental and emotional swing that goes on chaotically within us and focusing on the breath (or any other object of attention), we create an isolating barrier between ourselves and our egoic automatisms. We begin to have control and exercise it.
An even psyche is a balanced psyche
Likewise, as has been shown in many of the studies carried out on these techniques, by generating equanimity within ourselves, we also will be reflected in our daily lives What happens inside happens outside.
So, even if it’s just to take away the power that politicians or sports and religious leaders have over us, don’t tell me that it’s not worth learning to be more fair-minded. It goes without saying that they are not interested in you being one, their business is over.
