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Charles Day
www.DesMoinesMeditation.org
charlesday1@mchsi.com
What is Equanimity? It's a mental state that can underlie all other emotions,
enabling one to accept that what is, is, no matter what one experiences,
and to respond more appropriately and compassionately, especially in the
face of negativity and adversity. The practice of meditation is a very
powerful way to develop equanimity.
Student: Yes, but this is where it gets slippery. I see this issue now in "my
own" thoughts and actions. One can get to a "that's the way it is" or "that is
just the unfolding." Detached and non-attached are very close in attitude.
Charlie: Your comments still suggest that you interpret the word equanimity
to mean a kind of passive, indifferent, or uncaring response. The word
“detached” is sometimes used is imply such disassociation and is
distinguished from being “non-attached,” which leaves one free to have and
to choose to let go of or act upon a thought, opinion, preference, or passion
depending upon whether such a response is appropriate and beneficial.
These distinctions may be slippery for you, but for whatever it's worth, they
are not for me. Admittedly, semantics may blur the differences
conceptually, but experientially the differences are clear for me, even on
those occasions when my conditioned negative responses prevail.
2
Charlie: I do know what you mean by muted responses. I've even
experienced grief for what I felt were previously quite passionate responses
to certain issues. The lessening of emotional passion is for many a definite
phase on the path but should not be interpreted as leading to total
indifference or absence of any passion. I still experience passion, but it is
now with a degree of equanimity that wasn't present before that allows me
to see the whole picture with a lot more clarity and to respond in much
more appropriate and effective ways.
Student: I definitely do "see the whole picture with a lot more clarity and
respond in much more appropriate and effective ways."
Following are quotes related to the topic of equanimity that I came across
shortly after the above exchange of emails.