The benefits of equanimity

EQUANIMITY IS NOT PASSIVITY OR INDIFFERENCE, BUT OF SPACE AND STILLNESS, AS WELL AS CONNECTION AND COMPASSION, SAYS SHARON SALZBERG

- Sonali Gupta

Over the last two weeks, I have been doing a course on equanimity. In a world which feels fragmented, polarised and constantly offering us strong opinions on every issue—the teachings have served as an anchor. The lessons have reminded me how as an adult it's important to maintain hope, sensitivity, attunement to the world and yet not be consumed by it. As I write this, I am mindful that this journey of being aware of what's happening around us and then holding space for grounded optimism is a lifelong one; one that's slow and requires work every day.

In her writings, Sharon Salzberg, author and teacher of Buddhist meditation practice, writes, "A state of equanimity is not one of passivity or indifference, but of space and stillness, as well as connection and compassion. It's an empowered state in which we negotiate understanding with trust, questioning with acceptance."

This reminder while simple in its language reminds us how operating from this state requires us to be fully present in the moment and where we are centred rather than impulsive or reacting to the world around us.