New Beginnings and Old Mountains

From the Tarocchi Celtici, the Two of Earth (Coins); from the Elements of Recovery, Equanimity:

          The Two of Earth card is paired with the ogham beth (purification) and the birch tree (beginning). Seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gnome peering into the cradle, we can guess what is beginning in their world. Purification can be seen in that they have set aside their tools and other concerns to focus on their new investment (one of the keywords). Anyone who has ever had a baby (whether human or pet) knows your world shrinks down to take care for all of his or her needs. Time, energy and money get funneled in one direction when one's focus gets very narrow. Which means we often overlook our own needs and end up hungry, angry, lonely or tired. Instead of being deliriously happy, we suddenly become prickly and snappy because things are out of balance. The Elements card - Equanimity - is a reminder to sit like a mountain with calm awareness; compassionate objectivity can allow us to see what is really needed. The far enemy of equanimity is reactivity (attachment or aversion to reality), while its near enemy is indifference. The Tibetans describe it as being like a very elderly person watching young children play. If one of them breaks a favorite toy, the elder won't sit down and cry with them (reactivity). But neither will she say, "You think that's bad? Wait until you have aches and pains like I do! (indifference)" Her calm and objective compassion will allow her to comfort the child while realizing this too shall pass.

Rather than allowing our minds to spin stories about our life-long anger or inability to cope with the difficulties of life, we can create space for ourselves to feel without drowning in a given feeling. The creation of that space is the essence of equanimity. ~ Sharon Salzberg