Equanimity and the Inevitability of Changes

Joseph Goldstein examines the mental factor of equanimity through the lens of the Eight Vicissitudes and the brahmavihārā.

This dharma talk from April 17, 2012, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed.

In this lecture, Joseph:

• Defines equanimity as neutrality of mind and the quality of evenness
• Draws a distinction between indifference of mind and spacious impartiality
• Examines the eight vicissitudes (gain and loss, praise and blame, fame and disrepute, pleasure and pain)
• Considers the spiritual implications of living in servitude to the inevitably changing conditions of our lives
• Places equanimity in the context of lovingkindness, compassion, and joy, i.e. the other divine abodes, or brahmavihārā
• Reminds us that no situation is outside of our practice

“When we have equanimity, when both attachment and aversion are absent, then everything in our experiences becomes clear and undisguised.”

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