| Equanimity is a crown jewel of Buddhist practice, the unshakable balance of mind-heart born of the perfection of wisdom and love. It is neither aloof nor cool, as mistakenly imagined, but imbues the heart with tremendous stability and caring presence to neither push away nor drown in experience. Equanimity is the fourth and final brahmavihāra (heavenly dwelling), imbuing lovingkindness, compassion, and vicarious joy with balance. As the seventh factor of awakening, its development is needed for advancing in the path. It guards the mind-heart in the midst of the eight worldly winds of gain/loss, fame/disrepute, pleasure/pain, and praise/blame, which afflict our human lives at one time or another. Equanimity is such a rich and deep teaching that the Visuddhimagga (Path of Purification), teaches ten different types of equanimity. Cultivating equanimity is paramount for a heart-mind in balance, peace, and happiness at every stage of our practice.
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings. |
