Meditation as a remedy against fanaticism

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

Self-awareness, Flow and Meditation

The boom meditation has allowed us to know without any doubt that the regular practice of these techniques helps us to concentrate, to develop the ability to self awareness, to enter Flow status to practice sports, to write (to whom we 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 consciousness; we would live without knowing that they are inside us. Meditate, as he would say Buddha, helps us wake up; Mindfulness, as one would say humanistic psychologist, serves to help ourselves.

A possible recipe against fanaticism

In this sense, I dare to affirm that meditating would also be a wonderful antidote to any kind of bigotry

. Whether we speak of nationalist, religious or sports fanaticism, the most radical human passions are characterized by uncritical reactivity of the egos of a particular group, animated by a leadership capable of stirring their passions. Write it down, this is the formula for any fanaticism: explosive egos and leaders skilled in its management. And let's talk about higher or lower passions, the common characteristic is always that the fanatic individual lacks equanimity.

What is equanimity? as the Royal Academy of the Language, equanimity is the ability to maintain equality and constancy of mind. It would be something like watching the river from the shore instead of being washed away. To such a concise definition let us add that being equanimous also implies being able to temper the reactivity and automatisms of the ego, observing oneself from the outside and being aware of the emotions that affect us at all times.

The more balanced we are, the greater our autonomy 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 sheep mass, if only to stop being guided by skillful manipulators. Who better to direct your own life than yourself, don't you think?

The key is not in isolation but in intellectual equanimity

With this I do not mean that the ideal, the peak of vital development is to become lonely individuals, devoid of identity, far from it. Being fair, you can also be Barça or Valencia, maintain some political convictions or others, profess a faith or that of beyond. The nuance is that being equanimous I will be able to question myself as a person as well as question my beliefs and reactions, adapting and modifying them when deemed necessary. The same will happen with the convictions that others put 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 meditating. And it is that, in reality, the exercise of meditation could also be called "practice of equanimity". By withdrawing again and again the attention of the mental and emotional sway that is happening chaotic within us and focus on the breath (or any other object of attention), we create an insulating barrier between us and our egotic automatisms. We began to have control and to exercise it.

An even-tempered psyche is a balanced psyche

Likewise, as has been shown in many of the studies carried out on these techniques, by generating equanimity within ourselves, we also will be reflected in our daily lives. What happens inside happens outside.

So, if only to take away the power that politicians or sports and religious leaders have over us, do not tell me that learning to be more level-headed is not worth it. It goes without saying that they don't care if you are, they run out of business.