Sunday 16 November 2014

Equanimity








Equanimity is the foundation for wisdom, freedom and the protector of compassion and love.

 A mind filled with equanimity is “abundant, exalted, and immeasurable, without hostility and without ill-will.” (Buddha)

7 mental qualities support the development of equanimity:

1. Virtue or integrity

When we live and act with integrity we feel confident about our actions and words which results in the equanimity of blamelessness.

It is a theme through ancient Buddhist texts to be able to go into any group of people and feel blameless.

2. Wisdom (faith)

Faith can also be a conviction of confidence the universe will look after me.

3. Well-developed mind

We can develop strength, balance and stability of mind. This can be done through practices that cultivate calm, concentration and mindfulness.

When the mind is calm, we are less likely to be blown about the worldly winds.

4. Wellbeing

Wellbeing ought to be cultivated and enhanced – eg enjoying a cup of tea or a sunset can be training in wellbeing, as can playing with your dog.



 



5. Understanding wisdom

Wisdom is an important factor in learning to have an accepting awareness to be present for whatever is happening without the mind or heart contracting or resisting.

Wisdom can teach us to separate people’s actions from who they are. We can agree or disagree with their actions but remain balanced in our relationship with them.

We can also understand our own thoughts and impulses are the result of taking situations too personally.

By not taking them so personally, we are more likely to not react when they arise.

Another way wisdom supports equanimity is in understanding people are:

     responsible for their own decisions.

Acknowledging this, helps us to find equanimity in the face of other people’s suffering.

We wish the best for them but we avoid being buffeted by a false sense of responsibility for their wellbeing.

Honest awareness of what makes us imbalanced helps us to learn how to find balance.







Photos

1st - Image courtesy of James Barker at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

2nd - Image courtesy of  suphakit73 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net





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References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=equanimity+definition&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=np&source=hp&gfe_rd=cr&ei=4elnVL2ID6KN8QenwICoBw 
Original thought




 Hi there,

I often hear people talk about wanting more equanimity in their lives. You may ask what is equanimity – to me it is balance. It is balance within our emotional lives, in our relationships and working lives.

The definition is:

“calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation.”

As people were keen in wanting to have this sense of calmness in their lives, especially when facing difficulties, I read up on it a while ago.

Since I absolutely love my laminator and laminate all kinds of words, sayings, poems and lyrics, I laminated what I’d researched a while ago and passed cards onto people.

Today I was fossicking around the drawers and I came across one of cards, so posted it above.

If you have a favourite saying/chorus from a song and you would like it laminated, contact me at writingtherapids@gmail.com





2 comments:

  1. Good morning and good evening, dear Allie-Millie! This is a wonderful post. I was exposed to these principles in the 1980s when I immersed myself in seminar programs. I know they helped me achieve equanimity because today I respond to external stimuli (circumstances, chaos, crises and challenges) differently than I did at an earlier age.

    102 year old Margaret Elizabeth Brown Schneider, "The Oldest Living Dell Rat," is a model of equanimity. She "lets go" rather than dwell on tragic losses she has endured, people who have betrayed her and other setbacks and disappointments of life. Margaret has found the key to longevity through peace of mind.

    Thank you very much for reminding me of these enlightening tenets of Buddhism. For those who have wandered from this path, including myself, there is always time to get back on it and no time like the present.

    I wish you a safe and happy week ahead, dear friend Allie-Millie!

    (I'm sorry to report that this new post did not appear in my reader. The latest post is still the one from a month ago, "Chapter 1 - At Her Mercy.")

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  2. Hey Shady Del,

    Thanks and I strive daily to practise equanimity :) thanks for your patience with the news feed as I am now progressing migration to the website, so I will keep you posted. Might I add, although I am not especially religious, I believe a lot of religious philosophies can be used to live our lives tor the betterment to our wellbeing, peace of mind and to help us greatly manage our personal and professional relationships. I trust you are having a great week and keep safe! Cheers Allie-Millie

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