Being in the neutral

When people talk about wellness, the word ‘neutral’ is often used as a buzzword to describe a state of being. It doesn’t always mean what they think, so I’d like to try and explain what ‘neutral’ really means.  

There’s a lot to say here, so I’ll be publishing this across two blog posts. In this first post, I’ll define the different types of neutral, and in the second post I’ll offer a more personal point of view, explaining how I use the state of neutral in my practice and in my life in general.

So, there are three kinds of neutrality, which people often merge together, but it’s worth being clear about their differences.

1. Mental Neutrality: moving from judgment to observation (aka The Witness).

2. Physiological Neutrality: moving from fight-or-flight to stillness (Nervous System Regulation).

3. Spiritual Neutrality: moving from being attached to outcomes to trusting in the process (Equanimity).

Exploring these three layers of neutrality is essentially like learning to find the ‘centre of the seesaw.’ It’s not about being numb or indifferent. It’s about finding a stable platform from which you can experience life without being knocked over by every gust of wind.

Here is a deeper look at how these three states function and the different ways you can achieve them.

1. Mental Neutrality: The Witness

Mental neutrality is the practice of stepping out of the story and into the role of an observer.

Most of us live in a constant state of labelling: this is bad, this is good, she’s better than me, that is annoying, I am failing, etc. What is needed here is a shift.

·      The shift: the aim is to move from being an actor on stage to being an audience member. As you can imagine, the ego doesn’t like this so it will create all sorts of reasons to keep you performing on the stage at the centre of the drama.

• How to get there: instead of saying, "I am angry," you say, "I notice a feeling of anger arising." This tiny linguistic shift creates space. It shifts you from being the actor to being an observer.

• The goal: to see thoughts as mental events rather than absolute truths. When you stop judging your thoughts, they lose their power to dictate your mood.

2. Physiological Neutrality: Nervous System Regulation

This is the physical foundation of the other two neutralities. If your body is screaming in fight-or-flight mode it is nearly impossible to maintain mental or spiritual peace.

• The shift:  you want to move from using the Sympathetic Nervous System (high alert) to the Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest and digest).

• How to get there: this is often achieved through the breath or different sensory exercises such as tapping. When you regulate your heart rate and muscle tension with breath or movement, you signal to your brain that you are safe. Breathing in for a count of three then breathing out for six is a way to signal to our nervous system, and the vagus nerve in particular, that it’s rest and digest time. The body automatically starts slowing down.

• The goal: it isn't just about sitting still. It's achieving a lack of internal noise from the body. It’s the feeling of your body being a clear vessel rather than a buzzing hive of anxiety. You can achieve it while sitting by the sea, walking through the forest, or watching a cat.

3. Spiritual Neutrality: Equanimity

Spiritual neutrality or equanimity is perhaps the most profound type of neutral. It’s the realisation that you can’t control the ocean, so you can focus on your ability to ride the waves.

• The shift: it’s a move from attachment (needing things to be a certain way) to non-attachment (accepting things as they are).

• How to get there: develop a trust in the process or the unfolding of life. It’s a belief that even ‘bad’ outcomes have a place in your growth. Vipasana meditation is one such tool, in which, by observing different sensations on your body while not getting involved with them, you train your mind to step back into the stillness before you react. This is obviously easier said than done, especially in a world full of triggers. It takes practice.

• The goal: to remain unshaken by both praise and blame, success and failure. You do your best work, but you don't let the results define your worth.

So that’s the theory. Next time, I’ll get personal and talk about how I use the state of neutral in practical ways, in my cranio practice and everyday life.