| Acceptance with non-judgment is a key aspect of mindfulness. It is not about submitting to whatever is happening to ourselves and others but about fully recognizing what is happening. In that space of complete acknowledgment, an appropriate response, gentle or forceful, can emerge.
Acceptance vs Taking Action is a false dichotomy. It is about Acceptance and Taking Action.
The Serenity Prayer (written by the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr) offers guidance to the ones seeking peace in challenging situations (« God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”)
The following Equanimity Prayer guides us to stay present in the challenging moment, determine appropriate action in the calm presence, and have the courage to act on it, especially when it goes against comfort or societal expectations.
« May I have the presence of mind to accept that what is happening is actually happening, the wisdom to know what kind of action is needed, and the courage to follow this wisdom. »
« Appropriate » action in a particular situation could take any of the following:
Give in: go along not to make waves
Oppose: assert your point of view or insist on doing things your way
Negotiate: try to reason or convince others through discussion
Ignore: act as if it didn’t happen
Retreat: walk (or run) away
Explore: consider different perspectives with a non-confrontational attitude
Accepting could yield any of the above responses, not just the first one (give in). |
