The Brahma Viharas, also called the Four Immeasurables or the four Divine Abodes, are the mental states where Enlightened beings abide.  For us not-yet-Enlightened beings, they are the aspirations and attitudes we hope to have and to hold in our daily lives.

The Four Brahma Viharas are loving kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), sympathetic joy (mudita), and equanimity (upekkha).

This month, we will consider the fourth Immeasurable – equanimity (upekkha).

Equanimity is a perfect, unshakable balance of mind.

We practice equanimity when we are able to remain neutral in the face of life’s challenges. Equanimity is a state of balance, calmness, and non-reactivity toward the changing conditions of life. However, when we look at the world around us, and peer into our own hearts, we can clearly see how difficult it is to attain and maintain this balance of mind, especially in the current political climate that we find ourselves living in.

So Equanimity involves accepting all that happens to us. The so-called good and the so-called bad. It involves accepting the highs and the lows, the pleasures and the pains of life of life, the successes and failures, all with an even-minded attitude.

Developing equanimity allows us to respond to situations with clarity, wisdom, and impartiality. In the Song of Zazen, Hakuin reminds us that “sentient beings are from the very beginning Buddhas. It is like ice and water: apart from water, no ice can exist. Outside sentient beings, where do we find the Buddhas?”

Developing equanimity is to realize our Buddha nature. How do we realize our Buddha nature? Through zazen. We sit.

In the fifth koan, Jun Po asks us, ‘What are you like, what are we like, at this depth of consciousness? He encourages us to describe our mind at this depth of awareness. Not to describe what arises and falls away within our consciousness – i.e., what we think or feel.

Jun Po recommends the following terms or synonyms to describe ourselves at this depth of awareness, this clear, deep heart/mind: fearless, eternal, silent, timeless imperturbable, vast, empty… still/serene, peaceful/patient, aware (FESTIVE SPA). These words describe this state of awareness, not what arises within this awareness. This awareness is Dhyana. This is where we take our seat. This is where we practice equanimity.

If you have not experienced the Mondo Zen facilitation process, reach out to us, and we can connect you with a certified facilitator to lead you through the process. There is no charge for this.

So how can we begin to live these Brahma Viharas? Look to the precepts. In our ninth precept, Jun Po suggests that we should embody Compassion. He tells us, “I recognize and enlighten my greed, anger and ignorance. I transform my negative emotions and act with equanimity (upekkha), sympathetic joy (mudita), compassion (karuna) and loving kindness (metta).”

For us not-yet-enlightened beings, the Mondo Zen facilitation process and the Hollow Bones precepts are an excellent place to start to live the Brahma Viharas in our daily lives.

Resources

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Understanding Equanimity: The Secret Ingredient in Mindfulness – Sharon Salzberg

The Noble Abode of Equanimity: On Not Getting Swept Up in the Political Storm – Daisy Hernandez

The Buddha’s Smile – Andrew Olendzki

Buddhism and Equanimity – Barbara O’Brien

Equanimity – Gil Fronsdal

The Power of Equanimity – Zen Studies podcast (30:26)

Video

What is Equanimity – Shizen Young

Buddhist Teacher Joseph Goldstein on The Meaning of Equanimity

Coming Home to Equanimity – Dharma Talk with Anne Roise