2021 was a tough year for me, but I am looking forward to 2022 as I continue my journey to develop a resilient home-base of equanimity. In fact, like I did with the 100 lakes project, I have set myself a lofty new goal which will keep me motivated (I hope) for the next stage of my life.
The Goal
I will achieve a state of more or less consistent equanimity from which I can live an authentic and engaged life as a writer, photographer, and visionary leader. I will achieve this goal in 100 months.
Whoa, 100 months? That is a long time! Yes, it is about 8 years. Lets say May of 2030. My 100 lakes project took about 7 years, so that feels like a good timeframe. If I have not achieved a home-base of equanimity by then, I probably never will.
How will I get there and what do I need to do?
A. I will re-read the books that have brought me to this place of understanding and make notes of what practices I need to do regularly and start practicing them. I will record my progress here. The starter books:
- The Mind Body Code – Mario Martinez
- Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness Written by: Rick Hanson, Forrest Hanson
- A Liberated Mind – Steven C Hayes
- The HeartMath Solution: The Institute of HeartMath’s Revolutionary Program for Engaging the Power of the Heart’s Intelligence – Doc Childre, Howard Martin, Donna Beech
- The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science Written by: Culadasa John Yates PhD , Matthew Immergut PhD , Jeremy Graves
- Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking Written by: Susan Cain
- The Highly Sensitive Person’s Complete Learning Program: Essential Insights and Tools for Navigating Your Work, Relationships, and Life Written by: Elaine Aron PhD
- How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence Written by: Michael Pollan
- The Undervalued Self Written by: Elaine N. Aron
B. I will read new books that will help me on my journey, including:
- Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve – Stanley Rosenberg, Benjamin Shield
C. I will also continue:
- my meditation practice,
- to seek wisdom in the forest, and to understand the spiritual nature of forests,
- to develop my photography as a path of mindfulness and source of metaphors,
- Schema Therapy work,
- to stay open to opportunities,
- create mindful videos,
- Deepen my understanding of trauma, the nervous system, and the nature of the self.
Still In The Stream 