It's Not Personal

From the Urban Tarot, the Knight (King) of Disks; from the Principles to Live By tiles, Equanimity:

There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally.

—Miguel Ruiz

Scott writes that the Disks court is a quiet group, determined and devoted, letting their work speak for itself. Resourceful is another description of this collective. Scott's Knight/King of Disks illustrates this trait, creating an amazing feast with what he has at hand. He knows how to improvise and think on his feet when an ingredient is missing or the unexpected happens. Such a situation is an appropriate transition to the Equanimity, a principle that represents the ability to remain calm and clear when we get the rug pulled out from beneath us. It doesn't mean we're indifferent to our circumstances, but that we are able to manage our emotions so that we respond rationally and constructively. 

Creative Response

From the Urban Tarot, the Prince (Knight) of Wands; from the Principles to Live By, Equanimity:

Scott uses the role of comedian/newscaster in this card, bringing to mind such folks in this field as Stewart, Colbert and Oliver. The Prince/Knight of Wands is Air within Fire, having intellect combined with energy and enthusiasm. His passion is fueled by a desire to stand up for what is right while fighting to protect the vulnerable. His push for change is guided by such motives, and he can be tenacious. He invites us to have the courage to do the same. Equanimity (illustrated with the alchemical symbol for earth) suggests the need for being grounded and having a calm, even temperament. Activists of all kinds know that if they don't embrace this quality, their fire will soon burn out. There is conviction and action without clinging to hoped-for results. Equanimity allows for clear seeing and appropriate action, as Dawn Scott expresses: "When we call on forbearance in the face of insult and injury without reacting, it frees up our energy so that we can respond creatively."

Concentrated Effort, Even Temperament

From the Urban Tarot, the Three of Disks; from the Principles to Live By, Equanimity:

          The 'Works' card is one of concentrated effort; as Scott says, inspiration has been followed by perspiration. Some jobs or tasks can seem monumental, and we may feel like we are trying to move a weight that is too heavy for us to lift. Yet one of the skills this card implies is learning how to gather a team to help us accomplish our goal. Nearly every successful person has a dedicated posse; in the backs of their books, for example, authors often acknowledge the assistance of family, editors and publishers. However most projects will have a bump in the road or a challenge that may require a detour from the original plan. The principle of Equanimity encourages us to be level-headed and even-tempered no matter what is going on. I recently ran across an Al-Anon acronym that expressed one of this group's fundamental ideas: Q-TIP (Quit Taking It Personally). When things don't go the way I want or when the dramas of other people interfere, it can feel like the Universe is unjustly picking on me. But there is freedom to be found in realizing this is just how life unfolds for everyone.

You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can't control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone. ~ Marcus Aurelius 

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