If we wish to attain what the Buddhists call nirvana and what the Hindus call moksha—the state in which we transcend our personal identity and become enlightened, it is said that we should engage in certain practices. Both Buddhists and Hinduism’s Patanjali cite eight categories of these, which include truthful and moral speech, relinquishing desire, maintaining equanimity, the practice of meditation, of concentration, etc. Although there are differences between the two systems, one of their shared purposes is helping us ignore, and therefore diminish, our sense of “I”.

Although we ideally practice all eight categories, the reality is that we tend to focus on one or two at a time. The one upon which I’m currently focused is equanimity– remaining essentially unaffected by positive and negative occurrences.

Why is equanimity desirable?

It is well known that we humans almost constantly seek either stimulation or pleasure. Once we attain something pleasurable, we desire another. Why? Because the one we attained doesn’t do the trick—at least, not for long. We don’t become happy for the rest of our life because we went to the circus last spring, nor because we bought a car ten years ago. These events were pleasant enough, but only momentarily and only in a limited way. They didn’t affect our entire being—they probably didn’t make an unhappy marriage better or resolve a deep sense of insecurity–nor did the pleasure last more than a week or so before giving way to a myriad of other emotions evoked by a myriad of other circumstances.

The point is that we get elated, we get dejected, we get irritated, we get amused, and all of these emotions are tied to events, people, comments about us, and bodily sensations that are themselves constantly shifting and insubstantial, but which nonetheless play upon us as if we merely passive objects.

The goal then is to attain a state of being/mind in which we are balanced and in control despite the circumstances. So, how to accomplish this?

Well, equanimity is rooted in the insight of knowing that nothing remains the same. What is the case one moment is no longer the case the next. Change is the basis upon which mortality is based. Nobody, no relationship, no situation remains the same. The anchor that we cast down to steady ourselves is comprised of knowing and accepting this. So, that is the why behind equanimity. The how is a little more difficult to accomplish, and is comprised of observing our emotional reactions, and then distancing ourselves from them.

In Shaila Catherine’s post on “Insight Meditation South Bay“, she quotes the Third Zen Patriarch as follows:

The great way is not difficult for those who have no preferences. When love and hate are both absent, everything becomes clear and undisguised. Make the smallest distinction, however, and heaven and earth are set infinitely far apart. If you wish to see the truth, then hold no opinions for or against anything. To set up what you like against what you dislike is the disease of the mind. When the deep meaning of things is not understood, the mind’s essential peace is disturbed to no avail.

A common objection to this advice is that it causes one to become dull or numb, causes one to essentially clock out from the human race. However, many people maintain tranquility and balance while simultaneously feeling and expressing love. In other words, they remain fond of humans, animals, nature, and existence, but they do so without craving specific outcomes.

It’s not as if we can’t act upon what we deem as right, it’s just that we shouldn’t become emotionally caught up in the result. God is still there—or if you don’t believe in God, then the affection that you yourself can generate is still there. Realizing, experiencing, and expressing God’s or your own love, in turn, causes one to eventually burgeon into a state of tranquility and presence that feeds others.

Really, it’s placing your allegiance on love, no matter what.  If circumstances won’t change, or if they do and the changes are unpleasant and unalterable, then at least you can generate love—which, remember, is how many saints and sages have defined the highest state of consciousness attainable.