‘Anything can happen, any time’ is a phrase, and mantra, that one of my vipassana teachers likes to use to in his dharma talks. Sometimes I think it sounds a bit frightening, almost like a threat, other times I find it very relaxing — I guess it depends on how I’m feeling that day.
When he uses these words he’s trying to remind us that in life, everything is always changing. Whether it’s ourselves — our bodies, our minds, our feelings, or the things around us — people, situations, relationships. From moment to moment, nothing stays same.
This teaching is something than many of us can struggle with. Deep down we know it to be true, but the thought of not having control over our life often feels too challenging to accept. The possibility of something changing at any moment can bring up a lot of fear. So we live our life trying to hold on to things, trying to make things safe and comfortable, pretending like they will last forever.
When we live like this, we suffer. We move through life experiencing incredible highs and devastating lows, and quite often it can feel like we are being totally pushed and pulled around by everything that is going on.
A mindfulness practice can be really helpful because it allows us see with more clarity. We start to become aware that although we can’t control what is happening around us, we can work on what is happening within us. We can prepare for this shaky and uncertain life by cultivating a deep sense of steadiness in the body, mind and heart.
In this way our practice becomes our training ground. Whether it’s asana, pranayama or meditation, we are learning how to find inner balance. We practice going through the motions of succeeding, wobbling, falling over, getting frustrated and we learn, or at least try to, to not get so caught up. Instead of being so tossed around, we stay calm and steady.
This mind state is known as ‘upekka’ or ‘equanimity’ and is considered to be one of the most beautiful qualities of the awakened mind.
Over time, we notice that the more we practice, the stronger and steadier we become. This doesn’t mean that we no longer face difficulties or challenges. But the next time something really shakes us — we've prepared, we know what to do. We come back to our centre, we steady the mind and remember that anything can happen, any time, and whatever is going on now — won’t last.
