Every so often we have breakfast with the discovery, thanks to scientists from the five continents, of new applications of the techniques of Mindfulness and Meditation for the improvement of human capacities.

Self-awareness, Flow and Meditation

The boom of meditation has allowed us to know without any kind of doubt that the regular practice of these techniques helps us to concentrate, to develop the capacity of self-awareness , to enter the State of Flow to practice sport, to write (to those of us who write) and a long etcetera. In reality, the applications are practically unlimited since, in short, practicing Meditation and Mindfulness allows us to “shine” our intrinsic capacities , which otherwise would remain hidden from the consciousness; we would live without knowing that they are within us. Meditation, as the Buddha would say , helps us to awaken; Mindfulness, as a humanistic psychologist would say, serves to help us to help ourselves .

A Possible Recipe Against Fanaticism

In this sense, I dare say that meditation would also be a wonderful antidote to any kind of fanaticism . Whether we are talking about nationalist, religious or sporting fanaticism, the most radical human passions are characterized by the critical reactivity of the egos of a particular group, animated by a leadership capable of stirring up their passions. Write it down, this is the formula of any fanaticism: explosive egos and leaders skilled in handling them. And whether we are talking about higher or lower passions, the common characteristic is always that the fanaticized individual lacks equanimity .

What is equanimity? as the Royal Academy of Language says , equanimity is the ability to maintain equality and constancy of mind . It would be something like seeing the river from the shore instead of being swept away by the current. To such a brief definition, let us add that being equable also implies being able to temper the reactivity and automatisms of the ego, observing oneself from outside and being aware of the emotions that affect us at every moment. The more equable we are, the greater our autonomy will be when it comes to reacting, and by being more aware of the process, we will be able to decide if we prefer to get out of the uncritical and lamb-like mass, if only by ceasing to be guided by skilful manipulators. Who better to direct their own life than oneself, don’t you think?

The key is not in isolation but in intellectual equanimity

By this I do not mean that the ideal, the culmination of vital development is to become lonely individuals, devoid of any signs of identity, far from it. Being equable one can also be of the Barça or Valencia, to maintain some political convictions or others, to profess a faith or the one of beyond. The nuance is that being equable I will be able to question myself as a person as well as to question my beliefs and reactions , adapting and modifying them when I consider it necessary. The same thing will happen with the convictions that others put forward 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 by meditating . In fact, the exercise of meditation could also be called “the practice of equanimity”. By withdrawing attention again and again from the chaotic mental and emotional swaying within us and focusing on the breath (or any other object of attention), we create an insulating barrier between us and our egotistical automatisms. We begin to have control and to exercise it.

A balanced psyche is a balanced psyche

Likewise, as has been demonstrated in many of the studies carried out on these techniques, by generating equanimity within ourselves, we will also s and reflect on our daily life. What happens inside happens outside.

So, if only to take away the power that politicians or sports and religious leaders have over us, don’t tell me it’s not worth learning to be more even-handed. Needless to say, they don’t care if you are, they’re out of business.