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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 35

On Developing Equanimity

By Ven Sayādaw U Pandita

Sayādaw U Pandita (1921-2016) was one of the foremost masters of
Vipassanā. He trained in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition of Burma. A
successor to the late Mahāsi Sayādaw, he has taught many of the Western
teachers and students of the Mahāsi style of Vipassanā meditation.

According to the Buddha, the way to bring about equanimity toward the people and animals we love. As
equanimity is wise attention: to be continually mindful worldly people, it may be necessary to have a certain
from moment to moment, without a break, based on amount of attachment in relationships, but excessive
the intention to develop equanimity. One moment of attachment is destructive to us as well as to loved ones. We
equanimity causes a succeeding moment of equanimity begin to worry too much over their welfare. Especially in
to arise. Once equanimity is activated, it will be the retreat, we should try to put aside such excessive concern
cause for equanimity to continue and to deepen. It can and worry for the welfare of our friends.
bring one to deep levels of practice beyond the insight
into the arising and passing away of phenomena. One reflection that can develop nonattachment is
to regard all beings as the heirs of their own karma.
Equanimity does not arise easily in the minds of People reap the rewards of good karma and suffer the
beginning yogis. Though these yogis may be diligent consequences of unwholesome acts. They created this
in trying to be mindful from moment to moment, karma under their own volition, and no one can prevent
equanimity comes and goes. The mind will be well- their experiencing the consequences. On the ultimate
balanced for a little while and then it will go off again. level, there is nothing you or anybody else can do to
Step by step, equanimity is strengthened. The intervals save them. If you think in this way, you may worry less
when it is present grow more prolonged and frequent. about your loved ones.
Eventually, equanimity becomes strong enough to
qualify as a factor of enlightenment. Along with this You can also gain equanimity about beings by reflecting
practice of wise attention, here are five more ways to on ultimate reality. Perhaps you can tell yourself that,
develop equanimity: ultimately speaking, there is only mind and matter.
Where is that person you are so wildly in love with?
1. Balanced emotion toward all living things There is only nāma and rūpa, mind and body, arising
and passing away from moment to moment. Which
The first and foremost is to have an equanimous moment are you in love with? You may be able to drive
attitude toward all living beings. These are your loved some sense into your heart this way.
ones, including animals. We have a lot of attachment
and desire associated with people we love, and also with One might worry that reflections like this could turn
our pets. Sometimes we can be what we call “crazy” into unfeeling indifference and lead us to abandon a
about someone. This experience does not contribute to mate or a dear person. This is not the case. Equanimity
equanimity, which is a state of balance. is not insensitivity, indifference, or apathy. It is simply
non-preferential. Under its influence, one does not push
To prepare the ground for equanimity to arise, one aside the things one dislikes or grasp at the things one
should try to cultivate an attitude of nonattachment and prefers. The mind rests in an attitude of balance and