| The first two components of Basic Mindfulness, | | | | confuse it with apathy or with suppression/denial |
| concentration power and sensory clarity, have | | | | of feelings; in fact, however, unlike these generally |
| been presented respectively in two previous | | | | unhealthy ways of dealing with unwanted or |
| articles in this series. The third component, | | | | unpleasant internal states, equanimity actually |
| equanimity, will be the main focus in this final | | | | offers a highly active and skillful way of relating to |
| segment. (For detailed information about the first | | | | them. |
| two components, please refer to my blog below.) | | | | By definition, it entails full recognition and |
| The word, equanimity, is derived from two Latin | | | | acceptance of all such states, but does NOT |
| words, aequus meaning balanced, and animus, | | | | include identifying with them or with automatically |
| meaning spirit or internal state. It can be defined | | | | expressing them outwardly. Like all other transient |
| briefly, then, as maintaining a state of internal | | | | sensory experiences, they are recognized and |
| mental balance. | | | | actively embraced in awareness as impersonal |
| It is defined more specifically in Basic Mindfulness | | | | events, in the same basic way as external events |
| as maintaining such balance through an attitude of | | | | are perceived. |
| active loving acceptance or matter-of-factness in | | | | I personally regard the strategic skill of equanimity |
| regard to all moment to moment experience. | | | | as being very much like the practice of "push |
| Shinzen Young, master teacher of Basic | | | | hands" in the martial art of Tai Chi where two |
| Mindfulness, also refers to it as "radical | | | | practitioners place the palms of their hands |
| non-interference with the natural flow of | | | | together and then attempt to push each other |
| subjective sensation." | | | | off balance. In order to "win" in this competition, |
| In the body, this essentially entails staying | | | | then, one must skillfully avoid being pushed off |
| continuously relaxed while experiencing the full | | | | balance by one's opponent. |
| range of sensations, from subtle to intense and | | | | Success in this highly challenging discipline consists |
| from pleasant to unpleasant. | | | | paradoxically in offering absolutely no resistance |
| In the mind, it consists in letting go of all negative | | | | to even the smallest degree of force exerted |
| judgments about the full range of mental states, | | | | against one's hands, instead yielding to and flowing |
| instead embracing them lovingly and continuously | | | | with it exquisitely. One's power in this art form, |
| in awareness as fully as possible. | | | | then, is directly proportional to one's skill in being |
| When applied in this way, equanimity has three | | | | non-reactive. |
| major benefits: 1) By allowing pleasant sensations | | | | This is precisely the kind of power that is inherent |
| to flow more freely, they are subjectively | | | | in relating to potentially unbalancing mental states |
| experienced as much more satisfying or fulfilling; | | | | with equanimity. By embracing them fully and |
| 2) by similarly allowing the flow of pain or | | | | non-reactively in awareness, their intrinsic energy |
| unpleasant sensations, the level of suffering is | | | | is skillfully transformed and utilized in the service |
| conversely reduced; and 3) by opening fully to all | | | | of behaving consciously and wisely. |
| feelings in this same way, they can be utilized | | | | For much more comprehensive information about |
| skillfully in motivating and directing behavior, | | | | equanimity, as well as Basic Mindfulness in general, |
| instead of driving and distorting it. | | | | please click on the link to my blog, "Wise Ways to |
| When first hearing about equanimity, people often | | | | Happiness," below. |