Equanimity Kung Fu Panda Style ~ Raoka

On By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Heart&Soul-Inspirational Quotes, Mind, Heart& Soul-Motivation&Inspiration, Mind-Mental Health

“Inner Peace. Inner..inner…inner peace.” ~ Master Shifu from Kung Fu Panda 2

Last week I had the pleasure of watching Kung Fu Panda 2 with my little girl. It was her very first movie in the cinema. She already had the panda PO toy, so she could identify with him. Po the adorably large, but beautifully intuitive panda is the main character in the Kung Fu Panda Movie Series. Po is large, with a big heart and amazingly innocent attitude. He goes from being a noodle cook to becoming the Dragon warrior or The Chosen One.

My experience of watching the movie was beautiful. I loved every bit of the movie and so did my little one 🙂

While watching the movie though I couldn’t help think of how ‘realistic’ all the plots were and how well it fit in with the Raoka Theme of Equanimity.

Equanimity as you might already know, means- The state of being calm, stable and composed, especially under stress.

If you notice, all of last month i.e. may, I have been writing and talking about being calm. Just look at the last three articles I have written here :

Although not exactly, but all those topics bring forth the need for us to become calm and happy, especially in times of great stress.

Kung Fu Panda 2 might actually be my all time favorite movie. Not just because its funny, awesome and the 3D is breathtaking but because it shows us how Awesome we already are.

My Equanimous Lessons from Kung Fu Panda 2(Po):

  1. You are the master of your destiny: No-one and nothing can come in between you and your destiny, except you. Take destiny by the horns and have fun.
  2. You don’t need to meditate for hours and hours to attain inner peace and enlightenment. You need only see, feel, act from the heart. Let the heart guide you to your peaceful enlightenment.
  3. Just because you’re a spiritual seeker, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun seeking it. Awaken that spirit, enhance that soul while you enjoy every moment of this life. Even if that means having “who can eat the most dumplings” contests 🙂
  4. Your intuition is always active and alive. Go with your gut. Its an awesome conductor.
  5. Be ONLY Yourself because Inner peace, calmness comes only when you are completely at ease with yourself- physically and emotionally.
  6. Nothing, not even giant fire boulders can harm you, if you are calm on the inside.
  7. Anything Is Possible. Believe in your gift and conquer world.
  8. Friends are those who stay with you through thick and thin. No questions asked. Time spent sharing with good friends is equivalent to a thousand meditations. Good friends calm you and help you unburden.
  9. Share your gift with the world. Who knows, how many lives you are saving just by doing so. Your gift not only helps you, but all those you come in contact with.
  10. Don’t push past memories deeper inside of yourself. Let those memories breathe and let old wounds heal.
  11. The Universe is constantly giving you signs and messages for your journey. Notice them. Take the lead.
  12. Embrace your Awesomeness 😉

When you follow the Noble path, ANYTHING is Possible. ~ Master Shifu (Kung Fu Panda 2)

My Definition of Equanimity:

Every religion, faith, spiritual group, etc talk of and encourage equanimity. Some refer to it as centeredness, some call it a state of love, some a state of joy, some a state of apathy, some even say its a state of loving kindness.
In Islam: The word “Islam” is derived from the Arabic word Aslama, which speaks of the peace that comes from total surrender and acceptance to and for the Divine Maker. Being a Muslim can therefore be understood to mean that one is in a state of constant equanimity.

To me Equanimity is a culmination of all of the above. Infact equanimity to me is to simply BE. In BEing we live, we love, we give, we accept, we surrender, we become….this state as I can describe it is like the calm, still water. On the surface its completely calm, not a ripple, but on the inside its not only calm but life giving. This calm water holds in it the ability to provide and nurture not only itself but all those it touches. It has the ability to fit any mold and purify it. Still Water cannot be destroyed. It can be poured, it can be thrown, but even in its flowing states it will still calmly nurture everything it touches along the way. Such is the state of equanimity.

Be in Equanimity.

Just simply BE.

A lovely trailer of Kung Fu Panda 2 incase you havent seen it already. And No I’m not affiliated to the movie in anyway. I just love the movie :

What are your thoughts on Equanimity? Have you seen Kung Fu Panda 2? How was your experience watching the movie and what did you take away form it? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let be Equanimous Kung Fu Panda Style!

This article is part of RAOKA{Random Acts of Kick Arse}, The RAOKA mission seeks to remind us that Random Acts of Kick Arse happen all around us—and also to do and spread the spirit. For more details about how you can be part of this amazing mission please click here.

Other Raoka Team mates EQUANIMITY articles-

Click Here to Read all the RAOKA articles in this blog’s archives like-

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath


DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get My Free Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter for Positive Provocations Everyday!

Please Share Positive Provocations: If you like what you read and see here, please spread the word by sharing this article on your favorite social networks. I appreciate every bit of love and support from each and every one of you.

15 thoughts on “Equanimity Kung Fu Panda Style ~ Raoka”

  1. Precious Z,
    I loved Panda II!!! Even teared up during some scenes, because I Felt the message so strongly..and I Felt such gratitude to God/Universe for a powerful affirmation through a movie. Amazing!!!
    When you chose equanimity as ‘our word’, I wondered if I had it…and I realize I have such an abundance..external has no bearing on my internal state..and I am in awe of that, in gratitude for that, and constantly allowing for wonder filled to be created through me because of that. And, yes..have FUN! along the way..absolutely:)
    “Just simply be”..thank you for that reflection!

  2. Awesome post, Zeenat! This is one of my favourite movies too. I saw it with my daughter and I had tears on my eyes during the sequence when Po finds his inner peace and heals his life-long wounds. Great observations and writing. Hope to see more like this. 🙂

  3. I haven’t seen Kung Fu Panda, yet, but I plan to.
    It is interesting that you found so many valuable lessons in the film. Most movies really have powerful messages, in the future I will be reviewing my 2 favorite movies “A knights tale” and “The count of Monti Cristo” and discuss their life lessons.

  4. Okay, now I not only want to see this movie, I’ve GOT to see it. It sounds absolutely delightful. I especially love that it’s geared toward young people — to encourage our next generation to seek the peace of the Divine within themselves means to encourage the hope for a future which embraces peace.

    I’m so glad you and your little girl had such a fun and enlightening movie date!

    (My Equanimity post is here:
    http://www.gazehound.com/random-acts-of-kick-arse-equanimity )

  5. Hi Zeenat,

    From the trailer, the movie looks very cute, funny, and engaging. It’s wonderful when childrens’ movies have a positive message. But I wonder about the good vs. evil deal? Does there always have to be the good guys and the bad guys?

    I’m a big fan of equanimity. I love your definition of equanimity. It seems to cover all the ground. In my tradition, it equanimity also means impartiality ~ seeing and treating everyone equally as worthy of our love and compassion.

  6. I have not yet seen this movie but was looking forward to it and am now “really” excited about seeing it. It is wonderful what equanimity can give and what a universal and beautiful concept – one that goes hand in hand with compassion and love.

  7. Hi Zeenat:

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this great word and Kung Fu Panda 2…I really loved your post. In the past, I have been told I have a calming influence on others…I will certainly take this as a compliment. There are times I wish I could summon this sense calm when I’m not experiencing it.

    Your post, complete with a review of the movie and it’s lessons, really struck me. I’m writing the word down by my computer as a reminder. Thank you for your words of wisdom!

  8. What fun to watch a children’s movie with you kids and then glean all this wisdom from it! I wonder what wisdom we could find in other children’s movies. I will pay more attention to this! Thank you for a delightful post!!

  9. I haven’t seen it either, but this is exactly the manner in which I learn from films. Also, children are such fun to go with! They respond so deeply and openly to whatever’s there, to the story. I consciously try to watch with my child-eyes, even though my grownup-eyes are simultaneously evaluating how they put the production together. I’m happy your little one helped reopen the door to the little one within you.

  10. Zeenat:
    Great post. I totally came across it at the perfect time. I am taking my daughter to see it tomorrow and now I can’t wait to see it. I am going to look for all those lessons you observed in it. Great list of lessons. I loved them all.

  11. Hi Everyone,
    I loved loved reading your thoughts and experiences with Equanimity and King Fu Panda 2! Life is grand!
    I have been so busy with so many things in life, that there have been days I haven’t come online at all. All good things happening behind the scenes…more of which I will share later this month. But for now…please know that I have loved each and every comment here…and love each and every one of you. You give this blog a pulse with your presence. Thank YOU!
    I will be back to my regular online schedule in another week…till then lots of love and hugs coming your way….
    Z~

  12. Hi Zeenat,

    Realistic plots always make stories and movies that much better. I have to get round to watching Kung Fu Panda 2 probably some time this or next week since I enjoyed Kung Fu Panda 1.

    Ah yes equanimity. This is indeed one of my favourite topics since I believe it is necessary to be calm and composed to manage stress, change and the chaos it brings. For me equanimity comes from being constantly ready and prepared to face whatever lies ahead for me. For the changes and the stress that I cannot prepare for, I draw upon my experiences so that I can manage as best as I can. Practice in problem solving is also a form of preparation that keeps me sharp.

    I miss Master Oogway though. I think his wisdom in Kung Fu Panda 1 was awesome.

    Thank you for sharing this lovely article! 🙂

    Irving the Vizier

  13. Z.M. Quadri

    Asalam o alikum, Zeenat

    This is no dough a brilliant post by you. I believe that some times movies n stories conveys massages in effective manner as compare to words , but here your words are too effective n impressive.

    Take care

    ZM Quadri (Zoya Quadri)
    love to be in touch with u .

  14. A very very well written article… from start till end very well organized… yes some movies teaches us life long lessons in just 90mins… Loved part one also… and great analysis of part 2 Zeenat!!! great post… ((:

  15. Hi Zeenat,

    Sorry that it took me so long to come over to your blog. Like you, I’ve been busy this summer and reduced my online activities. I’m taking the summer off to spend time with the family and realign my activities. Thanks so much for mentioning my blog!
    I did not watch the movie but I loved the lessons that it provided as listed by you. 🙂
    Many loving blessings!

Comments are closed.