Equanimity In Buddhism

Equanimity (evenness) – the meaning in Buddhism refers to meditative equanimity – a state of evenness beyond judgment and partiality. Multiple levels of evenness exist – at the 9 stages and beyond is the equanimity of one taste.

Secrets of Meditation for Anxiety

Like millions of people, you may have suffered from anxiety for years. Meditation, yoga, peaceful music – it never works. It takes too long, and it’s not stable. Why? Because peace is treated as a cause for freedom, but it’s not – it’s the result. The cause to free yourself from anxiety is completely different.
Click now to Overcome Anxiety for good.

Overcome Anxiety through meditation

How to Pronounce Equanimity

ee·kwuh·ni·muh·tee

Equanimity Meaning in Hindi

Equanimity in Hindi can be translated in a few ways, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

समत्व (Samatva): This is the most direct translation of equanimity in Hindi. It refers to a state of mental calmness, evenness of mind, and composure.
संतुलन (Santulan): This word translates to “balance” and can be used to describe the balanced emotional state associated with evenness.
स्थिरचित्त (Sthirchitta): This translates to “steadfast mind” and emphasizes the unwavering mental state of evenness.

Sanskrit for Equanimity

The most common Sanskrit word for equanimity is upekkhā (उपेक्षा). It literally translates to “looking over” or “onlooking,” and signifies a state of mind that observes experience impartially, without clinging to pleasure or aversion to pain.

Synonyms for Equanimity

Here are some synonyms for equanimity, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey:

Composure: This emphasizes a controlled and collected state of mind.
Serenity: This highlights a sense of peacefulness and tranquility.
Calmness: This focuses on the absence of agitation or strong emotions.
Evenness of mind: This emphasizes a balanced and neutral state of mind.
Stoicism: This refers to a philosophical approach of enduring hardship without showing emotion. (Be aware that stoicism can also imply a lack of empathy, which isn’t necessarily a part of evenness.)
Acceptance: This highlights the ability to accept things as they are without judgment.
Peace of mind: This emphasizes a state of mental tranquility and freedom from worry.
Aplomb: This conveys a sense of self-assurance and composure, especially in challenging situations.

The best synonym will depend on the specific context in which you are using the word.

Equanimity is the cultivation, the apex of the four Brahmaviharas. These are the sublime approaches, the exalted outlooks of the Bodhisattva. The Brahmaviharas are loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and, of course, equanimity.

Evenness in Buddhism is not a concept, nor is it an emotional occurrence. It is not distant and remote or indifferent. It includes a state of tremendous warmth, kindness, love, and compassion. It includes the other Brahmaviharas. According to the Buddha, it is without hostility and ill will.

Meditation is the path to creating evenness. When Serenity is established, meditatively or in one’s life (which is more difficult) the mind is stable and at peace. An equanimous mind is undisturbed by the negative occurrences of life. A mind in complete equanimity is undisturbed by even the worst situations. Ultimately, serenity arises from knowledge and realization of impermanence. Since all phenomena simply arise and cease in an endless flow of reality, there is no point in getting attached to any particular state of affairs in life. It will simply change. Once one realizes this at a deep level, equanimity becomes much more natural, much more logical, and much easier to attain.

Equanimity in Stoicism

In Stoic philosophy, evenness is closely linked to the concept of apatheia (ἀπάθεια), which often gets mistranslated as apathy. Apathy implies a lack of feeling altogether, while apatheia refers to a state of being free from the disruptive emotions that cloud judgment and lead to irrational responses.

Here’s how Stoicism approaches evenness:

Reason as the Guide: Stoics believe reason is the key to achieving evenness. By using logic and clear thinking, you can distinguish between what you can control (your thoughts and actions) and what you can’t (external events and other people’s behavior). This distinction helps you avoid getting upset by things outside your control.
Virtue Ethics: Stoics believe cultivating virtues like courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance paves the way for Serenity. By developing your character, you become less susceptible to negative emotions like anger, fear, and envy.
Memento Mori (Remember You Must Die): This Stoic practice involves contemplating your own mortality. By reminding yourself of life’s impermanence, you can detach from worldly concerns and cultivate a sense of perspective. This allows you to focus on what truly matters – living virtuously in the present moment.
Dichotomy of Control: Stoics categorize everything into two categories: things within your control (your thoughts, actions, and reactions) and things outside your control (external events and other people’s behavior). Focusing on what you can control and accepting what you can’t helps reduce emotional distress.

Serenity in Stoicism isn’t about suppressing emotions entirely. It’s about acknowledging your emotions, understanding their source, and choosing your response rationally. By cultivating evenness, Stoics aim to achieve a state of inner peace and resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

Here’s a comparison between Stoic and Buddhist approaches to evenness:

Feature	Stoicism	Buddhism
Source of suffering	Unreasonable beliefs and desires	Attachment to impermanent things
Path to Serenity	Reason, virtue ethics, self-control	Mindfulness, meditation, letting go of desires
Role of emotions	Analyzed and managed rationally	Observed without judgment

Note: While both philosophies aim for evenness, their approaches differ in their emphasis on reason vs. mindfulness and the underlying causes of suffering.

Equanimity (Buddhism) Summary

Central Node:

Equanimity (Buddhist Concept): A mental state of composure, emotional calmness, and evenness of mind in the face of positive or negative experiences.

Connected Nodes:

Three Marks of Existence (Dukkha, Anicca, Anatta):
- Dukkha (Suffering): Equanimity arises from understanding the inherent suffering present in life.
- Anicca (Impermanence): By recognizing the impermanent nature of all things, one avoids clinging to pleasure or aversion to pain.
- Anatta (Non-Self): evenness is cultivated by letting go of the illusion of a fixed self and its desires.
Vipassana Meditation: A core Buddhist meditation practice that cultivates evenness by observing sensations, emotions, and thoughts without judgment.
Mindfulness: The practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment, which is a foundation for developing equanimity.
Compassion: evenness is often paired with compassion, recognizing the suffering of others without getting overwhelmed by it.

Additional Nodes:

Benefits of evenness:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Increased emotional regulation
- Improved self-awareness
- Greater acceptance of life’s challenges
- Enhanced well-being

Related Concepts:

Stoicism (Philosophy): A philosophy that emphasizes emotional control and reason in the face of adversity.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) (Psychology): A form of psychotherapy that shares some similarities with cultivating equanimity.

How to meditate like a yogi
and enter profound samadhi

Check out our FREE Meditation Course

Here’s an LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keyword list for equanimity:

Core Concepts:

Stoicism (Philosophy)
Buddhism (Religion)
Mindfulness
Emotional Regulation
Mental Wellbeing
Inner Peace
Acceptance
Non-Reactivity
Composure
Serenity

Practices:

Meditation
Yoga
Breathwork
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Benefits:

Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Improved Focus and Concentration
Increased Self-Awareness
Greater Resilience
Enhanced Emotional Intelligence
Stronger Relationships

Meditation for Anxiety

Click Here for our free course

Overcome Anxiety with Meditation

Prominent Teachers and Philosphers of Serenity

From Buddhism:

The Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama): The founder of Buddhism, whose teachings on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are central to cultivating equanimity through understanding suffering and achieving liberation.
Thich Nhat Hanh: A renowned Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist who emphasized mindfulness meditation and living in the present moment as ways to cultivate equanimity and compassion.
Ajahn Brahm: A British-born Theravada Buddhist monk known for his clear and practical teachings on meditation and developing inner peace.

From Stoicism:

Marcus Aurelius: Roman emperor and philosopher, whose personal writings (Meditations) offer profound reflections on living virtuously and achieving emotional control, leading to equanimity.
Epictetus: A Greek Stoic philosopher who emphasized the importance of reason, self-discipline, and accepting what is beyond our control to achieve tranquility and equanimity.
Seneca: A Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and playwright who wrote extensively on ethics and living a meaningful life, emphasizing the importance of logic and emotional control for inner peace.

Other Traditions:

Lao Tzu: The legendary founder of Taoism, whose teachings in the Tao Te Ching emphasize living in harmony with nature and achieving a state of wu wei (effortless action), which can lead to equanimity.