BV-Equanimity 22 years after 9/11/2001

Twenty-two years ago today, four airplanes full of innocent passengers and 19 terrorists changed our world forever. Two planes struck the twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center. One plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington County, VA.

Another plane, headed towards the U.S. Capitol, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, killing all aboard but saving the lives of hundreds of members of Congress and Capitol staffers. On that Flight #93, the events of the hijacking remain unclear, but we know from cell phone accounts that passengers voted to retake control of the plane and fought the terrorist hijackers for six minutes before the plane crashed near Shanksville, PA.

The U.S. Congress and many Americans reacted to the 9/11 attacks with fear, masked by an unhealthy measure of bravado—passing laws to expand executive war powers and to restrict civil liberties in the name of enhanced security. According to Debra Schrishuhn, a member of the Progressive Democrats of America, the administration of President George W. Bush misled the country into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Rather than adhering to international standards of the Geneva Convention, Bush’s administration created an extraordinary legal status for so-called “enemy combatants,” which led to abuses of human rights and the rule of law.

Now 22 years later, human rights and the rule of law are still fragile and under attack both domestically and globally. We face domestic threats to the health of our democracy and international threats to established ethical standards of conduct and treatment of civilians in war zones.

Like many of you, I know people who were personally affected by the shocking tragedy of 9/11. One of my college friends lost a son, who was reporting to work in the Twin Towers when they collapsed. Friends of ours in Puebla, Mexico mourned for nine Poblano citizens who were killed as they worked as dishwashers and servers in the revolving restaurant atop one of the Twin Towers.  

We know that unexpected tragedies can occur at any time. Our dharma practice helps us to maintain a semblance of equanimity amidst the joys and sorrows of life. This past Saturday, I conducted a memorial service at the Rothko Chapel in honor of Francisco Cantú, a treasured member of Insight Meditation Houston sangha. On August 17, Fran was on vacation in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, with his wife Lucero and their beloved daughter Sol. Before they headed to the airport to fly home to Houston, Fran said, “I want to take one last swim.” Even though Lucero warned him to be careful of powerful ocean currents, Fran believed that he was a strong enough swimmer to conquer the waves. He was wrong. As Lucero and Sol watched helplessly from the shore, Fran was swept out to sea, where he drowned at the young age of 40. His family in Puebla held a Catholic funeral mass and burial service. With her little girl, Lucero returned home to Houston a youthful widow and a single mother. She credits some of her fortitude and resilience to years of dharma practice and expresses great gratitude for the support of our sangha.

To help us all develop similar equanimity in the face of inevitable changes, I will lead us in an adapted guided Upekkha practice suggested by Diana Winston, a meditation teacher whom I know from Spirit Rock.

Settle into a comfortable position, close your eyes, and take a few breaths.

Invite yourself to soften and connect with the pulsations of your heart. Be aware of your body and mind, right here, right now. 

Remember that each one of us has a capacity to be with reality as it is and to find a place of inner balance and ease.

Recall a time when you felt calm and balanced. It may have been an extended period of ease and contentment. Or it might have been a brief moment when you were about to react emotionally, but instead you paused and steadied yourself.

Notice if you can sense or feel what it was like to embody equanimity, even for a short period of time…. Where were you? What did you see or hear? Most importantly, how was your inner experience? 

If nothing comes to mind, you might visualize a mountain—solid, strong, and powerful. Can you imagine embodying the strength of a mountain? Sense grounding and stability in your posture. Breathe slowly and steadily.

Remind yourself, “Like a mountain, I know how to embody strength and equanimity.”

As you remember a time of equanimity, or as you connect with the image of the   mountain, be aware of any sensations or emotions. Breathe and notice what’s happening inside of you.

Now recall any impediments that make it difficult for you to find equanimity. There may be a minor dissatisfaction or a major concern. Perhaps you’re feeling worried or overwhelmed by responsibilities…. 

As you remember obstacles to equanimity, notice what happens in your body. Gently bring awareness to areas of tightness or tension, contraction, or constriction. Note any aversion in your mind—any thoughts about wanting to change your circumstances. Breathe and observe what is true in this moment. 

Imagine sending supportive phrases to yourself in this situation:                  Things are as they are. I can be with things as they are.

Repeat the phrases… and then check in with what’s happening. Silently remind yourself: I can be with reality just as it is. I am as I am. May I accept myself just as I am. May I weather this situation with grace and equanimity.

As you say these words, remember how you felt when you were calm and balanced or when you imagined embodying a mountain.

Things are as they are. I can be with things as they are.

I may not like these circumstances, and that’s okay.

They may not be what I want, but I can be with them.

I have the capacity to be with life as it is.

Repeat the words that seem most helpful with your current situation…. Returning to the memory of feeling equanimous and the image of a solid, strong mountain, remember our human capacity to handle whatever life brings. Sit here with that feeling for a few more breaths. Say to yourself, “Whatever I have to deal with, whatever may come, may I meet it with equanimity.”

Now that you have practiced cultivating inner equanimity, take some time to connect with the image or felt sense of a friend or loved one who is going through a challenging time. When you are ready, silently repeat equanimity phrases for the benefit of that person:

Things are as they are. You can be with things as they are.

You may not like these circumstances, and that’s okay.

They may not be what you want, but you can be with them.

You have the capacity to be with life as it is.

Remembering that everyone has times of hardship, expand the practice to include a neutral person—someone whom you don’t know well, perhaps a passerby or an unfamiliar face in our sangha. With a sincere wish to share the benefits of cultivating equanimity, transmit the phrases to this neutral person:

Things are as they are. You can be with things as they are.

You may not like these circumstances, and that’s okay.

They may not be what you want, but you can be with them.

You have the capacity to be with life as it is.

Now, take a moment to recall someone whom you find difficult to include in your heart. Be aware that just like you, this person has a measure of joys and sorrows. With a sense of underlying interconnection, share the equanimity phrases with the one whom you find difficult:

Things are as they are. You can be with things as they are.

You may not like these circumstances, and that’s okay.

They may not be what you want, but you can be with them.

You have the capacity to be with life as it is.

And finally, expand your heart to imagine the benefits of universally cultivating equanimity.

May people all around the world develop the capacity to be with life as it is.