Equanimity
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Equanimity describes the unattached awareness of one's experience as a result of perceiving the impermanence of momentary reality. It is a peace of mind and abiding calmness that cannot be shaken by any grade of both fortunate circumstance and unfortunate one. It is a concept promoted by several major religious groups.
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Buddhism
In Buddhism, upekkha is consideredNeither a thought nor an emotion, it is rather the steady conscious realization of reality's transience. It is the ground for wisdom and freedom and the protector of compassion and love. While some may think of equanimity as dry neutrality or cool aloofness, mature equanimity produces a radiance and warmth of being. The Buddha described a mind filled with equanimity as "abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility and without ill-will.[1]
Yoga
Upeksha is also mentioned in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (1.33[2]), as one of the four sublime attitudes, along with maitri (loving-friendliness), karuna (compassion), and mudita (gladness, goodwill). This list is identical to the Four Immeasurables in Buddhist literature.
Judaism
Many Jewish thinkers highlight the importance of equanimity (menuhat ha-nefesh or yishuv ha-da'at) as a necessary foundation for moral and spiritual development. The virtue of equanimity receives particular attention in the writings of rabbis such as Menachem Mendel Lefin and Simcha Zissel Ziv.
Christianity
Samuel Johnson defined equanimity as "evenness of mind, neither elated nor depressed." In Christian philosophy, equanimity is considered essential for carrying out the theological virtues of gentleness, contentment, temperance, and charity.[3]
Islam
The word "Islam" is derived from the Arabic word Aslama, which denotes the peace that comes from total surrender and acceptance. Being a Muslim can therefore be understood to mean that one is in a state of equanimity.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, equanimity is the concept of balance and centeredness which endures through all possible changes in circumstances. According to the Bhagavad Gita, one may achieve equanimity through meditation.[4]
References
- ^ Gil Fronsdal (2004-05-29). "Equanimity". Insight Meditation Center. http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/articles/equanimity.html. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
- ^ Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati. "Commentary on the Yoga Sutras". Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati. http://www.swamij.com/yoga-sutras-13339.htm#1.33. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
- ^ Twenty Essays on the Practical Improvement of God's Providential Dispensations as Means of Moral Discipline to the Christian. London: RB Seeley and W Burnside. 1838. p. 51. http://books.google.ca/books?id=lFwEAAAAQAAJ&vq=Johnson&dq=Equanimity&source=gbs_navlinks_s.
- ^ Paul Marcus (2003). Ancient Religious Wisdom, Spirituality, and Psychoanalysis. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 20. ISBN 0275974529. http://books.google.ca/books?id=52mOF7agoW0C&dq=Equanimity+Hinduism&source=gbs_navlinks_s.