Upeksha – indifference

«Clarification of the mind [results] from the cultivation of friendliness, compassion, happiness, and equanimity in conditions of pleasure, dissatisfaction, merit, and absence of merit, respectively» (Yoga-Sūtra, I.33).

The word indifference takes on a much more positive meaning if it is translated as “equanimity”. Upeksha is an attitude for which the things that happen do not scandalize us, do not trigger strong emotional reactions or impulsive responses in us.

Don’t roar Lion! Perhaps you are right: those who question what you do may just want to provoke you and since you have so much to do, you certainly do not want to endure the envy and malice of others. In my opinion, the wisest attitude is to use your energy not so much to argue as to invest even more in what you believe. Time will prove you right and at the end of the month you may see that there are people around you who change their minds.

PRACTICALLY

Simha-āsana, lion pose

If you really feel nervous and need to yell at someone, let off steam with this position.

Mindfulness exercise

Do an experiment: try to count the time in a day  you waste thinking about something that makes you angry: a minute, twenty minutes, one hour? What could you do proactively with the same amount of time?

Mantra of the month

«I am equanimous».