Avoid Burnout With Equanimity: The Key to Staying Calm Under Pressure

In the previous post, we examined Krishna's profound teachings in verse 2.14. Let's now move to a related verse.

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In Bhagavad Gita Verse 2.38, Krishna tells Arjuna to stay balanced in every situation:

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sukha-du?khe same k?itvā lābhālābhau jayājayau

tato yuddhāya yujyasva naiva? pāpam avāpsyasi

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He says, "Treat pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat equally—and engage in your duty always."

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How? That's very easy to say but very difficult to practice.

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Is it even possible for an ordinary human being?

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Are we not entitled to express our emotions? It's natural to be driven by emotions, constantly swayed by highs and lows.

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After all, we are not rocks sitting still at a beach despite taking the beating of tides every second!

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At first glance, this may seem impractical. But is it really?

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No! You are wrong!

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Equanimity is your greatest tool in chaos.

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Equanimity—the ability to remain calm and balanced in every situation—lies at the core of personal mastery. It's a trait shared by great leaders, visionaries, and spiritual masters throughout history.

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With a little effort, we can achieve this. Let's see how we can practice.

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Before we delve deeper, let's remind ourselves of the rewards that await us on this journey.

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Imagine facing a crucial decision—a new job offer, a challenging project, or even a personal crisis. You might be stressed, thinking about how things will turn out: "What if I fail?" "What if this doesn't work out?" "What will people think?" This kind of thinking often brings anxiety, self-doubt, and fear of failure. On the contrary, you overimagine your likely success, and you will be dejected when you don't achieve your expectations.

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This is when we experience all these emotions; what if we cut them off? We should just learn to respond, not react. Let emotions flow, but don't let them control you.

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The next step is to focus on the process rather than the outcome. Does this mean we should not be result-oriented? Not really.

Start looking at the big picture. Take a moment to explore yourself and understand your purpose, long-term vision, and goals.

For instance, your purpose is to find your IKIGAI.

Once you focus on the long-term goals, short-term failures will be less of a concern.

Until you achieve your prime purpose, all your wins are small. They are micro steps. Enjoy them and move on.

In the process, you might face some setbacks. Learn from them, correct your course, and move on.

If you are going on a long pleasure trip and you have a flat tyre, you will quickly get it repaired and will continue, right? I am sure no one will return home and keep lamenting the tyre puncture for the rest of the life.

All failures are similar. Just move on.

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Understand that whichever work you do, rewards are guaranteed: You either get Lakshmi (Money) or Saraswathi (Knowledge from the lessons learned). When the rewards are guaranteed, why are you bothered? You are getting the rewards anyway.

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Therefore, focus on your actions, not the rewards. So, how do you develop equanimity in your own life?

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1.?Reframe failure. Every setback is an opportunity to learn something new.

2.?Detach from outcomes: Focus on the process, not the result. Winning and losing are just fleeting moments.

3.?Embrace the present: Anxiety often comes from the future and regret from the past. Stay rooted in the now.

4. Master emotional balance: Learn to respond, not react. Let emotions flow, but don't let them control you.

5. Practice mindfulness: Meditation and mindful breathing create space between you and your thoughts, allowing clarity.

6.Build resilience through acceptance: Understand that pain, pleasure, joy, and sorrow are all part of life's journey. Accept them without resistance. Resistance causes avoidable friction and complicates things.

7. Stay calm in all situations: Whether you win or lose, remain steady. You did receive a reward, but you won't always get the reward you expect. So, take it easy; just let it go for this time.

8. Be duty-minded and purpose-oriented: Do what is right, regardless of the outcome. Common, you need to find your IKIGAI fast and not fight with your emotions or your boss/colleague.

9. Celebrate progress: Recognizing your wins, no matter how small, fuels the fire to keep going. Are you a better version than you were last month? If not, focus on that.

10. Practice patience: Success doesn't happen overnight. It's a slow build, so stay the course.

?Equanimity is the quiet strength that allows you to act with wisdom, not impulse.

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Life will always throw challenges at you and test you with situations you can't control.

But with equanimity, you gain the power to stay centered regardless of the storm.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that count." —Winston Churchill.

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Do you agree? Please like and share the post.

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If you're ready to approach life with greater calm and clarity, drop a comment and let me know how you're building your equanimity!

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Do you need any support in identifying your purpose, setting goals, or developing emotional intelligence? Write to me at [email protected]

Equanimity is a practice, not a gift. Start cultivating it today.