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Kim Nielsen's avatar

Thanks Michael and Dawnita! Something to ponder and learn to live more consistently from this place.

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Benjamin's avatar

Benevolent detachment feels like a trait healthy 9’s could share. The ability to care and be engaged without having a dog in the fight. :-)

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Michael D. Warden's avatar

Absolutely agree. Many mature 9s I know beautifully display this quality. The one caveat I'd add, though, is that younger 9s often tend to "check out" from themselves, which, while it may look like peace/equanimity from the outside, is actually more of a numbing out to their own experience. By contrast, equanimity is the quality of feeling everything that's happening around you and within you very deeply and yet remaining steadfast and at peace in your center.

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Benjamin's avatar

I have been sitting with the idea of surrender, an active choosing to lean into a situation you can’t control and letting it do its work, as the healthy alternative to hopeless resignation. Equanimity sounds like that too.

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Michael D. Warden's avatar

Indeed it does!

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Dawnita's avatar

Ah, my dear brother, I love our generative conversations! As you are writing in Scotland where we both have roots, I am reminded that equanimity can be deeply passionate in a way that moves us towards healing. Fear, on the other hand, often fuels hostility and destruction. (Mark 3:4-6) May we practice the eldership of the wilds and be passionately calm healers. ❤️

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Michael D. Warden's avatar

So say we all!

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