This 21-minute guided practice with Heather Fenton begins with mindfulness of breath in the body and then shifts into a contemplation of equanimity (upekkha). Equanimity is unwavering balance of mind rooted in insight.
As we maintain sensitivity and presence in the face of changing circumstances, equanimity reveals the insights of impermanence (anicca), struggle (dukkha) and not self (anatta).
The perfection of equanimity protects the mind from instability. It is an impartial wisdom that increasingly understands cause and effect (karma) and leads to the selflessness or centreless-ness of liberation (nibbana).
Off cushion, when we are not in meditation, we can approach the conditions of our life and our relationships to others keeping an open mind and sensitive heart. We can practice letting go of judgements and jumping to conclusions. We can look for a variety of points of view in order to ‘unhook’ from our individual point of view.
Traditionally listed tenth of ten ‘perfections’, Equanimity is in the ninth position for the 100 Days of Care program as we follow the example of Thanissaro Bhikkhu in re-organizing our contemplation of the perfections.
Listen on YouTube.
May 12/23: this meditation has been uploaded to InsightTimer and will be available soon.