What Does Equanimity Mean?
It is such a thrill for me when new subscribers come. It’s like my heart does hands-spins, I’m so happy. We get five to ten new subscribers every day, so I'm very happy indeed.
I am happy for every subscriber who is here. I’m happy for the ones who have been here from the beginning as well as every new one. Each subscriber, new, old, in between, is precious.
I understand that, as each of us continues to grow, we are to gain in equanimity. Does this mean that, for instance, I will no longer swim in the joy that new subscribers bring? That can't be.
Does equanimity mean that happiness is so constant that even new subscribers cannot add a new wave of joy?
Or will it mean that our hearts are simply full every minute?
It can’t mean that joy can go only so far, and that’s it. It can’t mean that. How could it? Equanimity couldn’t be joy denied or joy that can grow only so big and no bigger. Equanimity would be an even joy, not ups and downs. But it must mean always high joy.
I do understand that, with equanimity, I wouldn’t get bowled over every time a new subscriber comes, but I also can’t believe it means I will grow nonchalant about it.
Or maybe it would mean that in equanimity there is the confidence that many new subscribers will come so the joy is already there.
What are your thoughts about this?
Comments
Equanimity is or should be that nothing can move you off your "center". Like when you wrote the Lead Balloons blog--the naysayers would not even cause a ripple in your pond. At the same time, that which brings you joy and happiness like new subscribers simply makes you more joyful and happier, and that makes you even more steady at your center, and thus is still equanimity.
Gloria---- You have told me, and you have written in this blog---- about the time that Lauren was in the hospital. While in the waiting room you had a vision, or a knowingness, that all was well with her, regardless of what might happen. I'd say that knowing that all was well was equanimity. Rather than happiness, or joy, it was probably closer to peace. One sage has said, "Joy is peace in motion; peace is joy at rest."
Joyce, you may be on to something!
The only thing, the experience with Lauren when she came to me in light, when Christ did, I have to use the word thrilling to describe. It may have been a kind of still joy, but it was in every cell of me, and I had to hold on to my seat. It was overwhelming joy! Maybe I have the wrong idea of equanimity altogether. Maybe it's getting used to delirious joy!
But these are only words, of course. Maybe there was more silence than I remember. I know I wish that I would experience this enormous joy every day! Maybe equanimity is bursting through such great joy that you are there always. From the outside, I may have looked stable.
Equanimity can't be jumping for joy. Maybe it really means, as Krishna said in the Gita, "Established in being, perform action."
I also know that it is extreme joy to even talk about getting closer to God! My favorite topic.
Pam, what you said is helpful to me. Maybe I have had a sense of equanimity as being "cool", and it's not that at all. Maybe it is purely swimming in joy.'
God bless us all!
Equanimity is that look in the eyes.
This I understand.
Today it seems clear to me that equanimity is God's perspective. Equanimity is love.
Ahhh, yes. Equanimity is love--that "look in the eyes".