Ep. 238 – Understanding Equanimity, Satipatthana Sutta Series Pt. 35
whatshot 37 snips
Mar 13, 2025
Explore the vital quality of equanimity as a cornerstone of mindfulness and stability. Joseph Goldstein discusses its role in achieving balance amid life’s ups and downs, advocating for an internal sense of well-being. He highlights the emotional dynamics of gain and loss, encouraging impartiality towards praise and blame. Through compelling anecdotes and teachings, the discussion illustrates how nurturing equanimity fosters compassion and clarity. Practical advice is shared on integrating these insights into daily life, emphasizing the transformative power of non-attachment.
59:32
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Equanimity in Action
Look upon all beings equally, free from discrimination.
Remain unmoved by praise or blame, while still seeking everyone's benefit.
insights INSIGHT
Equanimity's Importance
Equanimity is the foundation for spiritual liberation.
This powerful state allows us to navigate life's ups and downs with balance.
insights INSIGHT
Equanimity as Neutrality
Equanimity, or upeka, is a universal beautiful factor of mind, meaning neutrality.
It's present in every wholesome consciousness alongside qualities like faith and mindfulness.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In 'One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism', Joseph Goldstein explores the creation of an integrated framework for various Buddhist traditions. The book provides a brief historical overview of early Buddhism and delves into the mind-changing reflections that bring one to the Dharma path. Goldstein emphasizes that all Buddhist teachings are skillful means for liberating the mind, rather than statements of absolute truth. He concludes that the method of mindfulness, the expression of compassion, and the essence of wisdom are the core elements of the emerging Western Buddhism. The book covers topics such as non-clinging, selflessness, and Nirvana, and suggests that the various traditions of Buddhism are all paths leading to the cessation of suffering through the attainment of wisdom[2][3][5].
Pure and Simple
Pure and Simple
Extraordinary Teachings of a Buddhist Nun
Upasika Kee Nanayon
Offering deeper insight into equanimity, Joseph Goldstein explains the benefit of maintaining mental equilibrium at all times.
The Satipatthana Sutta is one of the most celebrated and widely studied discourses in the Pāli Canon of Theravada Buddhism. This episode is the thirty-fifth part of an in-depth 48-part weekly lecture series from Joseph Goldstein that delves into every aspect of the Satipatthana Sutta. If you are just now jumping into the Satipatthana Sutta series, listen to Insight Hour Ep. 203 to follow along and get the full experience!
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/insighthour and get on your way to being your best self.
In this episode, Joseph elucidates:
The universal beautiful factors of mind
Equanimity as total neutrality of mind
Maintaining equilibrium and being unaffected by events and emotions
How equanimity is born out of concentration and secluding the mind from hindrances
The ups and downs of life that we all face
Treating others with impartiality whether they praise us or blame us
Abiding compassionately for the welfare of all people
Recognizing the dissolution of all things in reality
Relating to all things as if they have already changed
Developing equanimity through inclining our mind towards neutrality
Grab a copy of the book Joseph references throughout this series, Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization, HERE
“The characteristic of equanimity is evenness of mind. When it is highly developed, it manifests as an unshakable balance. It is a mind that’s not moved. It serves to prevent either excess or deficiency of the other factors of awakening.” – Joseph Goldstein
Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein 