Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘It is important to recognize that maintaining emotional equilibrium is not a simple technique but rather a multifaceted psychological function (called “affect regulation” in clinical parlance.) Equanimity lives in multiple layers of both body and mind, including innate temperament, biochemistry, and early trauma history. Except perhaps for the lucky few people who were effectively parented in early life, emotional equanimity requires a lot of inner work.

As is often said, the more we can be mindfully present with what is happening, the better able we are to respond rather than to react. Even when we are not calm in a particular moment, we can endeavor to “self- remember” and self-reflect on our reactions. Sometimes it may only be after the fact, in a more balanced state of mind, that we remember to reflect on how we have reacted. Retrospective self-reflection is an important component of equanimity practice. It is an opportunity to remind ourselves of prior intentions or formulate new ones.’ (Inquiring Deeply Into Emotional Equanimity)