Acting From True Equanimity
Equanimity is not about being passive by thinking that everything is the same. Rather, it can be a source of wise action. It's something we can all discover and live since it's a profound human experience and not some big theory. As we already know, meditation practice often leads us into equanimity in a direct fashion.
Sojong Reminder from Anam Thubten 12/2016
Dear Dharma friends,
Whenever we're upset or confused by things that might be happening in our personal life or in political affairs, we can look for a refuge inside where we find deep equanimity. Equanimity is not about being passive by thinking that everything is the same. Rather, it can be a source of wise action. It's something we can all discover and live since it's a profound human experience and not some big theory. As we already know, meditation practice often leads us into equanimity in a direct fashion.
People often get carried away with emotions triggered by external situations. This is happening in many places all over the world today. Right now, I'm here in South Korea and am witnessing a political drama. You can feel this intensity in the air; anger and disappointment to be found everywhere.
Recently, a newspaper here interviewed me about what to do in situations like this. If we follow the way of the Bodhisattava, we don't want to become happy meditators who just sit and don’t connect with the outside world. There are times we might have to act for our own benefit or that of others. Yet, we can learn to act not from anger, aversion, or fear, but from a true equanimity that is like a majestic mountain that can withstand everything in such dignity.
There is a center of our being which is not a physical location somewhere inside. It's a place where we can abide energetically and intuitively. We can tune into it by using a simple technique such as concentrating on the breath or bodily sensations, deep breathing, prayers, silent sitting and so forth. At such a place, we feel that we're in a state of equanimity where our mind is clear and our heart is open. This is the place from where we can act with love and compassion.
When we look back, we might see there were times in our life when we didn't know how to hold equanimity. We can also see how life will be transformed for the better with less unnecessary suffering, and more wellness. During this upcoming sojong, let's take time to reflect on how we have been living, and to make a vow to live with more awareness, so we can abide with equanimity in the face of difficult times.
With palms joined, Anam Thubten