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LEAD ARTICLE | EASTERN HORIZON 7

This is very misunderstood, even drama or trying to control them. It’s funny to me that we don’t
within Buddhist communities. We need equanimity as the ground trust this, because our real-world
Buddhism is all about caring. One for the others. Recall the difference experience has shown us that it’s
way of understanding this is to between tṛṣṇā and chandā – two often true. We have struggled
examine equanimity’s place in the kinds of desire, but only one leads for one outcome over another,
Four Brahmaviharas (the Four to suffering. It is the kind that feels only to get what we didn’t want,
Immeasurables): Loving-kindness, like the outcome has to only look but then find that it is also ok, or
Compassion, Empathetic Joy, and a particular way for us to be all sometimes better than what we
Equanimity. One of these four right. This is what equanimity helps thought we wanted! Equanimity is
doesn’t seem like the others. Why is with – moving toward chandā. We about caring, but allowing that we
it there? can want what’s best for others, can’t control anything but our own
and do something to try to affect thoughts, words, and deeds, so we
In my view, equanimity is the that, but then we need to let go of take especial care of them, because
backbone of the others. If we the outcome. We play our part, but we know they matter. EH
simply focus on compassion, we recognize that many forces are at
can easily become burned out. If work, and the tighter we hold to one
we simply focus on others’ joy, we particular outcome, the more we
may get too wrapped up in their and others will suffer.

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