Through Fog and Sunshine

Finding Equanimity in Life's Journey

Recently, Nico and I embarked on a hike that began in dense fog, a landscape veiled in stillness and uncertainty. As we ascended, the fog gradually lifted, revealing the radiant sun, which felt warm and life-affirming. This shift felt profound and reminded me of my own life, which often feels like a hike through unpredictable weather with all its highs and lows.

This experience invited me to reflect and to practice equanimity while continuing to explore the wisdom of non-duality.

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Have you ever experienced seemingly negative periods in life, filled with doubts and struggles? Times where you felt like you were in dense fog, which obscured clarity, slowed progress, and demanded patience? Yet, in hindsight, you realized that without those unsettling moments, you wouldn’t have been able to fully appreciate the times of clarity and ease, like the vitality of the sun. So, was the experience of the fog truly bad, or was it an essential part of the journey? Perhaps without the fog, the sunshine might not have felt so profound.

Likewise, during our hike, we could only appreciate the full beauty of our journey when we reached higher ground. The fog below, which had felt heavy and limiting, transformed into a sea of clouds, beautiful in its own way. This shift in perspective served as a reminder: we often can’t see the value of our struggles while we are in them. It is only with time, distance, and growth that their role in the greater good becomes clear.

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Through this lens, both the fog and the sunshine are equally valid and equally necessary. The fog offers introspection and stillness; the sun brings warmth and vitality. Together, they teach us that life is not about choosing one over the other but about embracing the totality of experience. Non-duality invites us to transcend binary thinking—“good” versus “bad,” “right” versus “wrong.” It teaches that opposites are not separate but part of the same whole.

To avoid becoming overwhelmed by life’s roller coaster of highs and lows, equanimity plays a crucial role. It asks us to remain steady, to observe life’s fluctuations without clinging to the sunshine or resisting the fog. This state of balance is not about suppressing emotions but about welcoming them with openness. Personally, I strive to love and embrace all the negative self-talk, every cold moment, and every struggle. Not to wallow in self-pity or justify it, but to accept what is and to ease the fight against reality.

As soon as I let myself settle into the fog, I began to notice its quiet beauty: the way it softened the world around me and heightened my senses. This shift in perception reminded me that the discomfort we resist often holds unexpected gifts.

This journey through fog and sunshine was more than just a hike; it was a reminder of equanimity and the wisdom of non-duality. Whatever a situation feels like or brings to us, it holds many different perspectives and teachings. It reminded me to welcome all experiences, trusting that each plays a role in the unfolding of our life’s journey and the greater good.